Rafaela Homers Again, 'Dogs Lose 7-3
Published on June 11, 2022 under Eastern League (EL)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Portland, Maine - Ceddanne Rafaela had two hits and homered in his second consecutive game, but the Portland Sea Dogs (24-32) lost their fifth-straight game to the Hartford Yard Goats (37-19) by a score of 7-3 on Saturday at Hadlock Field.
The Yard Goats opened up the scoring in the top of the third inning against Sea Dogs starter Victor Santos. Niko Decolati reached on an error by Portland third basemen Hudson Potts, stole second, and moved to third on a ground ball from Daniel Montono. Ezequiel Tover hit a bloop single to center, scoring Decolati, giving Hartford their first lead of the night, 1-0.
Portland but their first run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning against Hartford starter Mitch Kilkenny. Rafaela led off the inning by launching a solo homer to center. It was his second home run of the year, and second consecutive game with a homer, and tied up the game 1-1.
Five runs scored for the Yard Goats in the top of the sixth inning. Montano and Aaron Schunk singled to put runners on first and second. Michael Toglia brought everybody home with a three-run long ball, giving Hartford the lead 4-1. Brenton Doyle kept the offense going with a single and advanced to third on an errant throw and a balk. Willie MacIver drove him in with a base hit, expanding their lead to 5-1. Hunter Stovall added the final run of the inning with an RBI double, bringing the score to 6-1.
The Sea Dogs brought in two runs in the bottom of the eighth against Yard Goats reliever Riley Pint. Kole Cottam walked, while Nick Sogard and David Hamilton were hit by pitches, loading the bases. Rafaela pushed in the first run with another walk, cutting into the Hartford lead 6-2. Pedro Castellanos plated Sogard with a base hit to left, making the score 6-3.
Hartford drove in an insurance run in the top of the ninth against Sea Dogs reliever Jacob Wallace. Decolati and Tovar walked, getting on base for Aaron Schunk who doubled to score their final run, 7-3. Portland went down in order in the bottom half, dropping the penultimate game of the series 7-3.
Will Gaddis (2-0, 5.85 ERA) tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in relief while striking out one and picking up his second win of the year. Santos (5-5, 4.03 ERA) pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits while striking out a season-high eight in his fifth loss of the season.
The Sea Dogs and Yard Goats play the finale of a six-game series on Sunday with a 1:00 PM first pitch at Hadlock Field. Portland sends RHP Brett Kennedy (0-2, 4.20 ERA) to the bump against Hartford RHP Michael Baird (0-2, 2.45 ERA).
Eastern League Stories from June 11, 2022
- RubberDucks Lose Shutout to Patriots, 6-0 - Akron RubberDucks
- Missed Chances and Unearned Runs: Bowie Walked-Off by Harrisburg - Chesapeake Baysox
- Yard Goats Win Again, Toglia Homers in Five-Run Sixth, as Hartford Wins 8th Straight Contest - Hartford Yard Goats
- Squirrels' Comeback Capped with Martorano's Walk-Off Winner - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Ponies Drop Saturday Night Contest on Late Home Run - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Curve Defeat Fightin' Phils on "Shack Attack" - Altoona Curve
- Sens Walk Off Baysox on Lara Single - Harrisburg Senators
- Long Balls Bury Fightins Under Altoona - Reading Fightin Phils
- Squirrels Walk Off on Seawolves - Erie SeaWolves
- Rafaela Homers Again, 'Dogs Lose 7-3 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Volpe and Boyle Star in Patriots Shutout Win - Somerset Patriots
- June 11, 2022 Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
- Gabriel Moreno to Make Major League Debut - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
