KELLY BATTLES THROUGH ANOTHER START, DOGS LOSE ON WALK OFF

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME WRAP UP
Matthew Rizzotti hasn't been in the Eastern League for long, but he has certainly made an impact. On Wednesday night, the Reading Phillies' designated hitter hit two home runs, including a walk-off three-run blast in the bottom of the ninth, propelling the Phillies past the Sea Dogs, 5-3, at FirstEnergy Stadium.

For the first time in the series, the Sea Dogs struck first. Matt Sheely led off the top of the third with a single, and quickly stole second base. After a walk and a pair of outs, Sheely scored, as Luis Exposito singled up the middle. The RBI was Exposito's 31st - the most on the team. The next batter up was Anthony Rizzo, and he also picked up an RBI, knocking in Che-Hsuan Lin with a single to right-center.

Unfortunately for Portland, that lead was short-lived, as the Phillies evened the score in the bottom half of the third. Tagg Bozied received a one-out walk, and Matthew Rizzotti brought him in with a two-run homer to right field.

Despite their struggles in the third inning, both starting pitchers settled down to have solid outings on the mound. Casey Kelly tossed five innings for the Sea Dogs, allowing two runs, seven hits, and three walks, while striking out four. Vance Worley lasted seven innings for Reading, allowing two runs, six hits, and four walks, while striking out three.

Sergio Escalona took over for Worley in the top of the eighth, and immediately ran into control problems. Luis Exposito singled inside of a pair of outs, before Escalona issued free passes to Ray Chang, Juan Apodaca, and Chih-Hsien Chiang. Chiang's walk came with the bases loaded, bringing in Exposito with the go-ahead run.

Portland stayed in the lead until the bottom of the ninth, when Matthew Rizzotti finished his magical night. After Mike Spidale struck out to lead off the inning, Bryce Cox allowed back-to-back walks to Domonic Brown and Tagg Bozied. With two men on and one out, Rizzotti took a 1-2 offering from Cox, and lined it out of the park to left-center field, giving the Phillies a 5-3 walk-off win.

Rizzotti's heroics gave Michael Stutes (3-0) the win, while Bryce Cox (0-3) suffered the loss.

The Sea Dogs and Phillies will conclude their four-game series on Thursday night at 6:35. Stephen Fife (2-1, 3.92) will make the start for Portland, while Reading turns to Jason Anderson (0-0, 1.80).

GAME HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY US CELLULAR SEA DOGS RADIO NETWORK