'Dogs rally falls short, fall to Reading 3-2

Michael Almanzar with his fourth straight 2-hit game
Portland, Maine - The Reading Phillies (4-2) scored two runs in the sixth inning and their bullpen hurled three scoreless frames, defeating the Sea Dogs (1-4) 3-2 on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field.

Portland was denied two excellent scoring chances in the late innings.  With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, Kolbrin Vitek hit into a 4-3 double play.  The 'Dogs had runners at the corners in the ninth with one out, but Kyle Simon induced a double-play grounder once again, earning his first save of the season.

David Buchanan (1-1) worked six strong innings on five hits and two runs to earn the win for Reading.  Daniel Bard took the loss for Portland, surrendering two runs on two hits in the sixth.

Michael Almanzar continued his hot start to the season, giving the Sea Dogs a 2-0 lead with a first inning two-run double.  Almanzar has 5 extra-base hits in his last three starts, and has four straight 2-hit games to start his Double-A career.

Reading got on the board in the fourth inning with two outs.  Miguel Abreu doubled and scored on a run-scoring single by Cameron Rupp.

Anthony Ranaudo was stellar in his first outing of the season.  The right-hander yielded five hits, one run, one walk and fanned six (Double-A high).  Ranaudo made his first appearance since July 3, 2012 against the Trenton Thunder.

Chris Martin tossed three scoreless on one hit and three strikeouts.  The right-hander has 10 strikeouts in 6 IP this season.

Heiker Meneses and Travis Shaw each had two hits for Portland, who look to salvage the final game of the series on Wednesday night.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Chris Martin (3 IP, H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)

The Sea Dogs and Reading Fightin Phils conclude their three-game series tomorrow night at 6:00 PM from Hadlock Field.  Two lefties face-off as Drake Britton takes on Jesse Biddle.  Tickets are available online at seadogs.com or by calling 207-879-9500. Wednesday is Dance Night at Hadlock Field.  Radio coverage begins at 5:40 on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network and via the Tune-In Radio app for smartphones and tablets.