'Dogs have lost 5 of 7 - hold a 1.5 lead over Binghamton
Published on August 25, 2008 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(Portland, ME) - Clay Buchholz worked seven innings on five hits and three runs but Portland lost the series opener to the New Britain Rock Cats, 6-5, Monday night at Hadlock Field. With the loss, Portland's lead over the Binghamton Mets is 1.5 for the second playoff spot in the Northern Division.
Danny Valencia had the game-winning hit for New Britain, blasting a 2-run homer off losing pitcher Richie Lentz (1-2) in the top of the 8th inning.
Zach Ward (5-6) fired two innings of relief to earn the win for the Rock Cats. Robert Delaney worked two perfect innings and fanned two to record his fourth save of the season.
Buchholz did not issue a walk and fanned eight in his return to the Eastern League. The Rock Cats jumped on the board first with three runs in the third inning. Rodolfo Palacios and Brandon Roberts delivered consecutive singles before Matt Tolbert laced a run-scoring double. Brian Dinkelman grounded out to second base, scoring Roberts and Valencia knocked in the final run with a fielder's choice.
Portland added two runs in the fourth inning off starter Ryan Mullins (ND, 5 IP, 4 R, 8 H). With one out, Lars Anderson and Mark Wagner provided back-to-back singles. After Jorge Jimenez popped to third base, Josh Reddick pulled a 2-run triple down the right-field line. The 'Dogs took the lead in the fifth inning on a sac-fly by Zack Daeges and a run-scoring double by Aaron Bates. One of the runs was unearned on an error by 2B Dinkelman, who made three on the night.
The Rock Cats tied the game at four in the sixth inning. Valencia reached on a 2-base error by Reddick and Dustin Martin blooped a run-scoring single down the left-field line. In the seventh inning, Portland scored their final run when Anderson reached on an error by 3B Toby Gardenhire, scoring Daeges.
Portland has lost 5 of 7 and play a doubleheader with the Rock Cats on Tuesday night beginning at 6:00 PM. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 5:40 PM.
Notes...Portland sold out for the 14th consecutive game and the 24th overall...The 'Dogs are 20-21 against the Northern Division at home...Josh Reddick leads all Red Sox Minor League Players with 89 RBI.
Eastern League Stories from August 25, 2008
- Defenders Fall, 7-4 - Connecticut Defenders
- 'Dogs have lost 5 of 7 - hold a 1.5 lead over Binghamton - Portland Sea Dogs
- Zambrano Wins Eastern League Pitcher Of The Week - Trenton Thunder
- Bank of America Pitcher-Player of the Week Awards - EL1
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