CASEY KELLY PITCHES STRONG IN DOGS 4-3 LOSS TO AKRON

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME RECAP

The Portland Sea Dogs got off to a great start on Saturday night, as each of their first three batters came around to score. However, the finish wasn't as positive, as the Akron Aeros scored in four consecutive innings, erasing their deficit, while picking up a 4-3 win in the series opener at Canal Park.

Akron starter Kelvin de la Cruz ran into trouble right away, giving up free passes to three of the first four batters he faced in the top of the first. The other batter in that stretch was Che-Hsuan Lin, who reached base on an error. Luis Exposito picked up the first RBI of the ball game, walking on five pitches with the bases loaded. The Sea Dogs added two more runs in the inning, as Lin scored on Yamaico Navarro's sacrifice fly, while Chih-Hsien Chiang singled home Ray Chang.

The score stayed 3-0 until the bottom of the fifth, when the Aeros finally solved Casey Kelly for a run. Jerad Head led off the frame with a double, and moved to third on a groundout by Adam Davis. Damaso Espino followed with a groundout of his own, but produced a run, as Head came in with Akron's first run.

The Sea Dogs nearly got that run back in the sixth. Anthony Rizzo sent a deep drive to right-center field that appeared to be a home run. However, the ruling on the field was a double. Will Vazquez pinch ran for Rizzo, and was stranded on base after three consecutive groundouts.

There was one ball that left the park in the sixth, as Lonnie Chisenhall greeted reliever Tommy Hottovy with a solo shot to right field, trimming Portland's lead to 3-2.

One inning later, Akron drew even. Adam Davis and Damaso Espino started the rally with back-to-back singles, putting a pair of runners on base for Tim Fedroff. Fedroff cashed in one of the runs with a double to deep right field. After allowing the double, Hottovy was able to battle out of the jam, keeping the game knotted at three.

The tie game gave both starting pitchers no-decisions. Casey Kelly tossed five innings for the Sea Dogs, allowing one run, five hits, and one walk, while striking out five. After a rough first inning, Kelvin de la Cruz settled down for the Aeros, going five innings, allowing three unearned runs, three hits, and five walks, while striking out one.

Unfortunately for Hottovy and the Sea Dogs, Akron's comeback continued, as the home team took the lead in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Jerad Head reached on an infield single, and advanced to second on a walk to Adam Davis. Damaso Espino broke the deadlock with a single to right field, driving home Head with the go-ahead run.

Bryce Stowell preserved the win with a scoreless ninth, as the Aeros picked up their 11th straight win.

Carlton Smith (1-1) was the winning pitcher, as he twirled a scoreless eight. Tommy Hottovy (3-2) suffered the loss, allowing three runs in three and one-third innings. Bryce Stowell picked up his fourth save of the season.

The Sea Dogs and Aeros will play the middle game of their three-game set on Saturday at 7:05. Ryne Miller (2-3, 4.96) gets the nod for Portland, while Akron turns to former Red Sox prospect, Nick Hagadone (1-0, 3.00).

GAME HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY US CELLULAR SEA DOGS RADIO NETWORK