Reading Fights Back in the 9th to Defeat Portland 7-4

Stephen Drew homers in his 4th MLB Rehab game
Portland, Maine - The Reading Fightin Phils (3-2) scored three runs in the ninth inning to take the series opener from the Portland Sea Dogs (1-3) 7-4 on Monday night at Hadlock Field.

Albert Cartwright snapped a 4-4 tie with a run-scoring to right field for the game-winning hit.  Edgar Duran followed with a two-run homer off Brock Huntzinger to cap off the scoring.

J.C. Ramirez (1-0) worked the final two innings, without allowing a hit to earn the win for Reading. Will Latimer (0-1) tossed 3.1 innings on three hits and two runs (one earned), but took the loss for Portland.

Matt Barnes lasted one inning in his Double-A debut, allowing two runs and two hits in the first.  Jim Murphy lined an RBI single and Tyler Henson followed with a run-scoring triple.  Barnes fanned three, walked one and threw 36 pitches (21 strikes).  Keith Couch relieved Barnes and pitched four solid innings on five hits and one run.

Portland got on the board in the second inning off starter Brody Colvin.  Michael Almanzar doubled off the Maine Monster and scored on Peter Hissey's single.  Reading scored the next two runs on Tyler Henson's homer in the fourth and an unearned run off Latimer in the sixth.

Shortstop Stephen Drew played eight innings, going 1-for-3 with a solo-homer in the sixth inning.  The 'Dogs would add a second run on Almanzar's run-scoring double to right field.  Xander Bogaerts tied the game in the seventh with an RBI single to center field.

Prime Motor Group Player of the Game: Keith Couch (4 IP, 5 H, R, ER, 0 BB, 3 K)

The Sea Dogs and Reading Fightin Phils continue their three-game series tomorrow night at 6:00 PM from Hadlock Field.  Right-hander Anthony Ranaudomakes his first start of the season, he'll face Righty David Buchanan (0-1, 11.57). Tickets are available online at seadogs.com or by calling 207-879-9500. Tuesday is Pi Night presented by Portland Pie Company.  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.