Exposito's Hit By Pitch Gives Sea Dogs a Win

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME RECAP
Luis Exposito will wake up with a bruise on Wednesday morning, but it was all worth it. Exposito took a Jared Gayhart pitch off of his hands with the bases loaded in the ninth, as the Portland Sea Dogs opened their six-game road trip with a 4-3 win over the Erie SeaWolves at Jerry Uht Park.

After failing to score on three hits in the top of the second, the Sea Dogs made sure to get on the board in the third. Nate Spears led off the frame with a single, and briefly stayed there, as Ryan Khoury fouled out to first. Ray Chang singled Spears to second, before Luis Exposito drove in both runners, doubling to deep center field. Erie starter Andy Oliver got Anthony Rizzo to pop out to short, but wasn't out of the woods yet, as Yamaico Navarro smacked an RBI double to right-center, completing a three-run inning for the visitors.


Portland starter Stephen Fife cruised through the first three innings, throwing just 25 pitches, while not allowing a player to reach base. With two outs in the fourth, the SeaWolves scratched a run across. Deik Scram singled, and moved to second on Fife's fourth balk of the season. The balk helped out the home team, as Cesar Nicolas knocked in Scram with Erie's first run.

One inning later, the SeaWolves drew even. Audy Ciriaco, Cale Iorg, and Andy Bouchie started the inning with consecutive singles. Bouchie's hit drove home Ciriaco, cutting Portland's lead to one. After Justin Henry flew out to center, Andy Dirks picked up the tying RBI, knocking in Iorg with a sacrifice fly to the same spot.

Both starting pitchers ended the game with no-decisions. Stephen Fife went six innings for the Sea Dogs, allowing three runs, six hits, and one walk, while striking out four. Andy Oliver tossed five-plus innings for the SeaWolves, allowing three runs, nine hits, and two walks, while striking out five.

The score stayed tied until the top of the ninth, when the Sea Dogs pulled ahead. With two outs, Nate Spears drew a walk, moved to second on Ryan Khoury's single, and eventually to third, as Ray Chang also reached with a walk. With the bases loaded, Jared Gayhart hit Luis Exposito with a pitch, bringing in Spears with the go-ahead run.

Bryce Cox allowed a single and a walk in the ninth, but struck out the final two batters he faced, as Portland held on for the 4-3 win against Erie.

Santo Luis (4-1) earned the win with two scoreless innings for the Sea Dogs, defeating Jared Gayhart (0-3). Bryce Cox got his seventh save with the scoreless ninth.

Portland and Erie will play the middle game of their three-game set on Wednesday night at 7:05. Robert Coello (4-1, 2.75) will make the start for the 'Dogs, while the 'Wolves counter with Duane Below (2-5, 4.36).

HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY US CELLULAR SEA DOGS RADIO NETWORK