Kavadas Homers Again as Sea Dogs Sweep Yard Goats in Doubleheader
Published on May 21, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Hartford, Connecticut - The Portland Sea Dogs (26-13) swept the Hartford Yard Goats (19-19) in Sunday's doubleheader at Dunkin' Park. Niko Kavadas blasted his fourth home run of the series in game one and now leads the Sea Dogs with six this season. Portland has yet to lose a series this season with their fifth series victory secured on Sunday afternoon.
In game one, Brian Van Belle set a new season-high with eight strikeouts across 6.0 innings in his start for game one. With his eight strikeouts, Van Belle surpassed his previous season-high of five that came back on May 9, 2023 against Somerset.
Hartford took the lead early after a three-run home run off the bat of Warming Bernabel put the Yard Goats on top, 3-0.
With two outs in the bottom of the third, the Yard Goats extended the lead to 4-0 with a solo home run by Hunter Goodman to left center field.
The Sea Dogs took the lead in the top of the sixth after Corey Rosier and Phillip Sikes reached on fielding errors. Rosier stole his twenty-second base before a single by Nick Yorke would load the bases. A hard hit single by Ceddanne Rafaela would score Rosier and Sikes before a sacrifice fly by Niko Kavadas brought Yorke home, but Hartford led 4-3. Nathan Hickey came to the plate and crushed a two-run home run to center field and the Sea Dogs took the lead and the ballgame, 5-4.
Portland starter RHP Brian Van Belle (2-2, 3.26 ERA) earned the win after tossing 6.0 innings allowing four runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out eight. Hartford reliever LHP Austin Kitchen (2-1, 2.16 ERA) was issued the loss after pitching 0.2 innings allowing one run on one hit while walking one and striking out one.
Like game one, Hartford took the lead first by way of the long ball as Hunter Goodman launched a two-run home run to left center field to put Hartford on top, 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning.
Six runs scored in the top of the second as a lead off home run for Niko Kavadas put Portland on the board to represent his fourth home run in Hartford this week. Alex Binelas hit his first triple of the season to score two before an RBI single by Christian Koss put Portland up 4-2. A sacrifice fly by Phillip Sikes would score the fifth run of the inning before Chase Meidroth launched his first home run of the Double-A level deep to left field to extend the lead, 6-2.
Portland extended the lead in the top of the fifth after an RBI single by Kavadas along with an RBI groundout by Stephen Scott brought two more runs across and the Sea Dogs secured game two with an 8-2 final.
Portland reliever RHP Jacob Webb (4-1, 4.43 ERA) earned the win after pitching 2.0 perfect innings while striking out three. He did not issue a walk. Hartford starter RHP Mike Ruff (0-3, 8.31 ERA) was issued the loss after pitching 2.0 innings allowing six runs on six hits while walking one.
The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 to host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats for a six-game series. First pitch for game one is slated for 6:00pm. Both probable pitchers have yet to be announced.
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