Written by Ryan Musich
PORTLAND, MAINE- On a windy Maine Saturday afternoon pitching proved to be the deciding factor in the Portland Sea Dogs 4-2 victory over the Reading Fightin Phils.
With temperatures in the low 40s being difficult on the hitters Portland (2-0) starter Jalen Beeks was able to shut down Reading (0-2). Throwing five scoreless innings, Beeks had nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits and two walks. The 23-year old primarily used his fastball which was consistently at 94 MPH.
As good as Beeks’ performance was the Sea Dogs needed to score runs to pull out the victory. The top of the order provided just that. Aneury Tavarez, who had the game-winning home run in the opener, provided a spark from the leadoff spot going 2 for 4 with two runs and a stolen base.
Since Tavarez set the table the guys right behind him in the lineup would do the cleaning. Second baseman Jose Rosario went 1 for 4 with a run and a RBI. Right fielder Cole Sturgeon went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.
Reading’s starting pitcher Tyler Viza was able to keep the Sea Dogs hitters quiet after a first that saw Sturgeon plate Tavarez. However, in the fifth Rosario and Sturgeon would hit back to back single to bring in center fielder Danny Mars and Tavarez to score. With Rosario on third and Sturgeon on first, the Sea Dogs would make use of an old fashion play, as Sturgeon would get in a rundown between first and second long enough for Rosario to score the insurance run.
Viza's day was over after that pitching five innings, allowing four runs, seven hits, and one walk while striking out two.
The Fightin Phils weren’t going to give up without, well, a fight. In the ninth inning with Williams Jerez pitching for the Sea Dogs in the ninth Reading would find themselves with a chance to extend the game. With two outs and a runner on first Reading shortstop Malquin Canelo would double on a fly ball down the right-field line to give the Phils runners in scoring position and the tieing run at the plate.
However, Jerez would get Reading catcher Joel Fisher to ground out to save the Portland victory.
The Sea Dogs will try for a sweep in their first series of the season when they host Fightin Phils once more, on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Hadlock Field.
With temperatures in the low 40s being difficult on the hitters Portland (2-0) starter Jalen Beeks was able to shut down Reading (0-2). Throwing five scoreless innings, Beeks had nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits and two walks. The 23-year old primarily used his fastball which was consistently at 94 MPH.
As good as Beeks’ performance was the Sea Dogs needed to score runs to pull out the victory. The top of the order provided just that. Aneury Tavarez, who had the game-winning home run in the opener, provided a spark from the leadoff spot going 2 for 4 with two runs and a stolen base.
Since Tavarez set the table the guys right behind him in the lineup would do the cleaning. Second baseman Jose Rosario went 1 for 4 with a run and a RBI. Right fielder Cole Sturgeon went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.
Reading’s starting pitcher Tyler Viza was able to keep the Sea Dogs hitters quiet after a first that saw Sturgeon plate Tavarez. However, in the fifth Rosario and Sturgeon would hit back to back single to bring in center fielder Danny Mars and Tavarez to score. With Rosario on third and Sturgeon on first, the Sea Dogs would make use of an old fashion play, as Sturgeon would get in a rundown between first and second long enough for Rosario to score the insurance run.
Viza's day was over after that pitching five innings, allowing four runs, seven hits, and one walk while striking out two.
The Fightin Phils weren’t going to give up without, well, a fight. In the ninth inning with Williams Jerez pitching for the Sea Dogs in the ninth Reading would find themselves with a chance to extend the game. With two outs and a runner on first Reading shortstop Malquin Canelo would double on a fly ball down the right-field line to give the Phils runners in scoring position and the tieing run at the plate.
However, Jerez would get Reading catcher Joel Fisher to ground out to save the Portland victory.
The Sea Dogs will try for a sweep in their first series of the season when they host Fightin Phils once more, on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Hadlock Field.