4th Inning Key as Sea Dogs Win, 14-4

It was a sloppy day at Hadlock Field, as it was rainy, cold, and windy. The play on the field matched the conditions as the teams combined for 8 errors to go along with 18 runs in a 14-4 Sea Dogs win over the Reading Phillies.

The first half-inning was a sign of things to come, as the Phillies scored the first run of the game without getting a hit. Freddy Galvis led off the game with a walk, and would score on Cody Overbeck's sacrifice fly. Galvis made his way to third when Michael Spidale's reached on an error.

The Phillies would add 2 more runs in the fourth innings, as Carlos Rivero and Derrick Mitchell would score in an inning that included another error and a hit batsman. All 3 of those runs were unearned, but hurt the Sea Dogs nonetheless.

The pain would go away rather quickly, as the Sea Dogs answered in a big way in the bottom of the inning. Ryan Lavarnway led off the inning with a single to left. Tim Federowicz then walked to put two men on. After Will Middlebrooks struck out, Jorge Padron singled to score Lavarnway. Oscar Tejeda then walked to load the bases. Hee made up for his earlier error, singling to left to score 2 runs to tie the game. #9 hitter Mitch Dening then lined a triple past the diving first baseman to score 2 more runs. That was it for Reading starter Austin Hyatt, who would be replaced by Jake Diekman. New pitcher, no problem for Portland, as Che-Hsuan Lin grounded an infield single to score Dening. Alex Hassan walked, and Lavarnway was hit by a pitch to load the bases again. Federowicz singled to plate another run, and the eighth and final run of the inning scored when Middlebrooks reached on an error. 13 Sea Dogs batters stepped to the plate in the inning, as momentum swung in the biggest way possible.

The Sea Dogs would add single runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, and plate 3 more in the eighth. Alex Hassan continued his season-long hitting clinic with a solo home run over the Maine Monster in the seventh inning.

Reading added a run in the seventh, as back to back groundouts plated Matt Rizzotti for the 4th Phillie run.

Middlebrooks was the only Portland batter not to record a hit, although he did reach twice on errors. The Sea Dogs drew 7 walks, and countless times faced full counts. It all added up to 204 pitches by Reading hurlers.

The only Reading pitcher to not allow a run was not really even a pitcher. Backup catcher Tim Kennelly came on with 2 outs in the eighth and got Lavarnway to fly out on the only pitch he threw.

Lin led the Sea Dogs offense from the lead-off spot, going 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs, a run, and a walk. Hee and Dening each drove in 2 RBIs from the 8th and 9th spots, respectively.

Stephen Fife picked up his 4th win of the season, going 5 innings, giving up 3 unearned runs on 4 hits, with 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, and a hit batsman.

Hyatt took the loss after lasting only 3 1/3 innings, giving up 6 runs on 5 hits, with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts.

The two teams face off again tomorrow for game 2 of a three-game series, weather permitting.
-WIL KRAMLICH-