It didn't take Mark Wagner long to get reacquainted with Hadlock Field. In only his second game back in Portland since 2009, the Sea Dogs catcher had 2 big hits as Portland beat Altoona, 6-2 in 6 innings. Former major league knuckleballer Charlie Haeger picked up the win in his Sea Dogs debut.
The Sea Dogs got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first, giving Haeger some early run support. Chih-Hsien Chiang and Will Middlebrooks had back to back one-out doubles, with Middlebrooks driving in a pair, as the Sea Dogs led 2-0 after an inning. Chiang's doubles was his 36th of the season, tops on the team.
Haeger looked strong from the start, retiring 7 of the first 8 batters he faced before Yunesky Sanchez's infield single broke up his short no-hit bid. The light rain aided a lively knuckleball, as Curve batters looked foolish.
Wagner brought back old memories in the fourth, as he blasted a solo home run over the monster, receiving cheers like it was 2009. It was Wagner's first home run in a Sea Dogs uniform this year, and 5th overall.
Haeger's shutout bid was ended in the top of the fifth, as the Curve started to adjust to the knuckler. After getting two quick outs, Haeger gave up 3 straight hits, with Starling Marte's double bringing home Sanchez for Altoona's first run.
The Sea Dogs would give Haeger plenty of breathing room with a big fifth inning offensively. Jeremy Hazelbaker led off with a single, and moved to 2nd on his 18th stolen base in a Sea Dogs uniform. He would then move to 3rd on a ground out by Alex Hassan. Chiang would drive him home on a fielder's choice grounder. Hazelbaker beat the throw home, which went wide of the plate, allowing Chiang to advance to 2nd. After Middlebrooks grounded out, Wagner lined a double into the left field corner, bringing home Chiang. Tim Federowicz then singled to drive in Wagner, making it 6-1 Sea Dogs. Curve reliever Tim Anderson was knocked out after just 2/3 of an inning. Aaron Thompson came in and got the final out of the inning by getting Jon Hee to ground into a force out.
Andrew Lambo hit a solo home run over the high wall in right to round out the scoring. it was Lambo's 3rd homer of the year.
Thompson allowed a lead off single to Ryan Dent in the bottom of the sixth, but he was gunned down trying to steal 2nd. Heiker Meneses and Hazelbaker then flew out to the end the inning.
Junichi Tazawa was set to come on in relief of Haeger in the seventh, but light missed turned into a hard rain. After 30 minutes of rain delay, the game was called, and Haeger picked up his Sea Dogs win in his first try.
The righty allowed 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings. He struck out 4 and walked 1. He threw 96 pitches, with 63 for strikes. He showed flashes of why he made it all the way to the big leagues for the White Sox, Padres, and Dodgers from 2006-2010.
Wagner is now 6 for 18 since being called up to the Sea Dogs from Class A Salem. 3 of those 6 hits have been extra base hits.
Micahel Colla took the loss for Altoona, dropping his record to 4-8. he gave up 3 runs on 5 hits in 4 innings. He struck out 3 and walked 1.
The teams will be back at it tomorrow night at 6pm, when hopefully the weather will be a little more cooperative. Brock Huntzinger will take the mound for the Sea Dogs, trying to improve on his 5-8 record. Kyle McPherson will toe the rubber for Altoona, who is 4-3 on the year. After tomorrow's game, the teams will finish up their four-game series on Sunday with a 1pm start.
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