'Dogs Hold off Late Scratch by 'Cats, 8-7
Published on May 9, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(Portland, ME) - RHP Bryce Cox struck out SS Steve Tolleson with the tying and go-ahead runs on base, securing Portland's 8-7 come-from-behind victory over the New Britain Rock Cats (13-15) on Saturday afternoon at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs (14-14) end a 2-game losing streak and even the series at one game apiece.
Cox made it interesting in the ninth inning, yielding four runs on four hits. New Britain scored three times with two outs on a 2-run single by C Jeff Christy (3-for-5, 2 RBI) and a run-scoring single from CF Brandon Roberts (2-for-4, RBI). The right-hander was one strike away from ending the game on three consecutive batters, getting Tolleson to chase a 2-2 slider.
RHP Richie Lentz (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief to earn his first win of the season for the 'Dogs. RHP Frank Mata (0-1) was saddled with the loss, surrendering five runs on six hits in just 1.2 IP.
Portland trailed 3-1 after 5 ½ innings, picking up just one run on five hits against New Britain starter LHP Ryan Mullins (5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 SO). With one out in the sixth inning, RF Reid Engel (3-for-4, 3 RBI) doubled home SS Argenis Diaz (2-for-4, RBI). CF Matt Sheely (1-for-4, RBI) tied the game with a hit-and- run, bloop RBI single to left field. The Sea Dogs tacked on three runs in the seventh inning, chasing Mata out of the game. Diaz delivered an RBI single and Engel doubled home two runs, proving to be the game-winning RBI.
LF Aaron Bates went 3-for-4, 2 runs scored and improved his team-leading average to .359. CF Bubba Bell had two hits and 2B Ryan Khoury scored twice.
New Britain scored three runs off Portland starter RHP Jarod Plummer, who lasted five innings, yielding five hits, five walks and four strikeouts. Plummer stranded seven runners over five frames and held the Rock Cats to 2-for-9 with runners-in-scoring position. RHP Chad Rhoades pitched a scoreless sixth inning, escaping a one out jam with two runners on base.
Portland added two unearned runs in the ninth inning off RHP Zach Ward. A pitcher's error allowed Khoury to score and 1B Jon Still added a run-scoring fielder's choice.
Portland and New Britain play the rubber game of their 3-game set on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM from Hadlock Field. LHP Felix Doubront (2-2, 3.42) takes on RHP Yohan Pino (0-0, 4.91). Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 12:35 PM with the CorrectDeck Pre-Game Show. Tickets for Sea Dogs Baseball can be purchased at www.seadogs.com or by calling (207) 879-9500.
Notes...Bates has reached base safely in 19 straight games and now ranks third in the Eastern League in average...Sheely picked up his first Double-A RBI...C Juan Apodaca stole his first base of the year...Portland has scored twelve 2-out runs in the last two games.
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