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| RYAN WESTMORELAND HANGING WITH THE DOGS THIS WEEKEND |
With Portland trailing 6-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, Spears would make it a ballgame connecting for a solo homerun, his fifth of the season, to make it a 6-3.
Four batters later, after a Ryan Kalish double and a Luis Exposito walk, Joe Testa would take the ball in place of Cole DeVries. Rizzo would welcome Testa to the game by promptly launching a three-run homerun off the video board in right field to tie the game at six.
With Ray Chang on first, Navarro would cap off the rally and give Portland the lead with an opposite field homerun into the U.S. Cellular Pavilion to make it 8-6.
New Britain had built an early lead with a six hit attack in the bottom of the second to plate five runs off of Portland starter Casey Kelly to take a 5-1 lead. Mark Dolenc’s triple to right-center field would plate two. Allan De San Miguel, Chris Cates, and Brandon Roberts would all supply an RBI in the frame.
Portland struck first with a run in the bottom of the first when Luis Exposito connected for his team-leading 15th double to knock in Spears. Exposito would provide some insurance for the Sea Dogs by belting a two-run shot to left-center off New Britain reliever Matt Williams. The homerun was Exposito’s first since Opening Day. After knocking in three runs, the Portland catcher now has a team leading 35 RBI.
Neither starter would factor in the decision. Despite his second inning struggles, Kelly would go four innings allowing six runs (all earned) on ten hits with one strikeout. Meanwhile, Kelly’s counterpart Kyle Gibson would toss five innings, allowing two runs (both earned), while striking out three.
Clutch has been the name of the game for Portland over the final two games of the series with New Britain. Seven of Portland’s eight runs Sunday and nine of their ten runs on Monday came with two outs in the inning.
In a game where the bullpens would prove to be the difference, Portland would enjoy strong outings from Tommy Hottovy and Santo Luis. Hottovy (3-0) would pick up the win, throwing three hitless innings, walking one and striking out two, in relief of Kelly.
Santo Luis would go the final two innings for Portland to earn his first save of the season, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Testa (1-4) would pick up the loss for New Britain after surrendering two homeruns and allowing three runs to score in just a third of an inning of work.
Portland will hit the road for a three-game set with the Trenton Thunder to start off the month of June, before returning to Hadlock on Friday. The Portland starter is yet to be announced, while Hector Noesi (0-0, 7.50) will be on the bump for Trenton. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 7:05 PM from Trenton, New Jersey.
Notes: For just the second time in franchise history, the Sea Dogs attracted over 100,000 fans to Hadlock Field during the month of May. With Monday’s attendance of 6,663 Portland drew 101,525 fans in May 2010 in 18 openings. The only other time the feat was accomplished was in 1995 when the Sea Dogs drew 104,410 fans in 20 openings in May.
PHOTO GALLERY PRESENTED BY MR SPARKY, AMERICA'S ON TIME ELECTRICIAN
POST GAME AUDIO
Anthony Rizzo
Casey Kelly
Arnie Beyeler
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
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