Kavadas Homers Again in 10-7 Win in Akron
Published on May 6, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Akron, Ohio - Six Portland Sea Dogs (19-7) recorded multi-hit games to contribute to Portland's 10-7 victory over the Akron RubberDucks (11-14) on Saturday night.
Niko Kavadas extended his on base streak to 16 games, including his second home run in as many days. During his streak, he is hitting .314 with two doubles, two home runs, nine RBI and 18 walks with a .500 OBP. His on base streak is the second-longest active streak in Double-A and longest active in the Eastern League.
Six Sea Dogs recorded multi-hit games. Matthew Lugo went two-for-three with a triple and a pair of singles while Elih Marrero went two-for four with a double and a single. Christian Koss went two-for-five with a pair of singles while Phillip Sikes went three-for-five with three singles. Nick Yorke went three-for-six with three singles while Kavadas had a perfect day at the plate going three-for-three with a home run and a pair of singles.
Phillip Sikes doubled to lead off the ballgame in the top of the first inning to put Portland on base. Corey Rosier worked a walk before Sikes stole his tenth base of the season to station him at third. With Nick Yorke at the plate, Rosier would steal a bag of his own as he advanced to second base to record his thirteenth stolen base of the season. Yorke then singled to center field to move Rosier to third while scoring Sikes and Portland took the early lead, 1-0. The stealing continued as Yorke stole second base while Rosier stole home and the Sea Dogs extended their lead, 2-0. Yorke advanced to third on a wild pitch before Niko Kavadas worked a walk to extend his on base streak to fifteen games. Matthew Lugo then reached on catcher's interference to load the bases before a wild pitch allowed Yorke to score and the Sea Dogs continued to lead, 3-0.
Akron plated one in the bottom of the first after Julian Escobedo and Jose Tena both were hit by a pitch. Bryan Lavastida worked a walk to load the bases before a walk drawn by Johnathan Rodriguez brought Escobedo around to score and Akron was on the board, 3-1.
Portland added two more runs off of three hits in the top of the third. Kavadas worked a lead-off walk before being brought home on a triple by Lugo and Portland continued to lead, 4-1. One more run came across after an RBI single by Tyler Dearden scored Lugo and Portland led 5-1.
In the top of the fourth, Yorke singled on a ground ball to right field to put a runner on base. Then, Niko Kavadas crushed a two-run home run to center field to record home runs in back-to-back days and Portland extended the lead. 7-1. The two-run blast was Kavadas' second of the season and seventeenth for Portland collectively.
In the top of the sixth, Yorke singled to lead off the inning before advancing to third on a single by Kavadas. A sacrifice fly to right field by Lugo would allow Yorke to score and Portland extended the lead, 8-1.
The first hit allowed by Portland did not come until two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Joe Naranjo walked to reach base before advancing to second on a balk. Connor Kokx reached on a fielding error by Yorke allowing enough time for Naranjo to score but Portland still held the lead, 8-2. A single by Escobedo would score Koxx to bring one more run across, however, Akron continued to trail, 8-3.
In the top of the seventh, Dearden worked a leadoff walk before a double off the bat of Elih Marrero moved Dearden to third. A sacrifice fly by Sikes brought Dearden in to score and Portland added a run, 9-3.
In the bottom of the seventh, Lavastida lifted a home run to left field to put another run on the board for Akron but Portland held the lead, 9-4.
In the top of the ninth, Christian Koss singled to reach base before a double by Elih Marrero advanced Koss to third. A single by Sikes brought Koss in to score and Portland extended the lead, 10-4.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Tena walked to put a runner on base before Lavastida singled to right field. A three-run home run by Johnathan Rodriguez would clear the bases but Portland maintained the lead, 10-7.
Portland reliever RHP Jacob Webb (2-1, 2.51 ERA) earned the win after tossing 2.0 perfect innings while walking one and striking out two. Akron starter RHP Hunter Stanley (0-3, 5.40 ERA) was issued the loss after pitching 0.1 innings allowing three runs on two hits while walking two and striking out one.
The Sea Dogs return to Canal Park tomorrow, May 7, 2023 for the final game of a six-game series against the Akron RubberDucks. First pitch is slated for 2:05 pm. RHP Sterling Sharp (1-0, 2.95 ERA) will have the start for Portland while Akron will send LHP Jaime Arias (0-0, -.-- ERA) to the mound.
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