Fightin Phils Take Rubber Match Over Sea Dogs

Portland, Maine - The Reading Fightin Phils emerged victorious over the Sea Dogs in the opening series, winning the rubber match Sunday at Hadlock Field by a final score of 10-2.

After the Sea Dogs won the season opener, the Fightins outscored Portland 21-2 in the final two games of the series.

Zach Eflin, making his Phillies organizational debut, picked up the win for Reading.  Eflin, who was acquired by the Phillies in the trade that sent Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers, pitched 6 shutout innings and allowed just 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2.

Brock Stassi homered for the Fightin Phils for the second straight game, blasting a three-run shot over the Sea Dogs bullpen off of Simon Mercedes in the 6th inning.  Mercedes struggled in his first Double-A appearance, allowing 6 earned runs in 3 innings of relief.  Stassi finished the series with 8 RBI for the Fightin Phils.

Reading also notched 5 doubles in the game, including 2 each from Carlos Alonso and Art Charles.  Reading got the scoring started with a pair of two-out, two-run hits - first by Cam Perkins in the 3rd, followed by Carlos Alonso in the 4th.  Sea Dogs starter Mike Augliera (0-1) got the loss, allowing 4 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits through 3.2 innings.

In the process of taking the final two games of the series, Reading at one point scored 19 unanswered runs against the Sea Dogs.  Portland had been held scoreless for 18 consecutive innings until Jantzen Witte delivered an RBI single in the 8th inning.

The homestand continues for Portland as the New Britain Rock Cats come to Hadlock Field for a three game set.  William Cuevas is scheduled to start for Portland and make his Double-A debut, while Yohan Flande will be on the mound for the Rock Cats.  Monday is MOMday at Hadlock Field, with moms getting free admission to the game with the purchase of a child's general admission ticket.  Visit the Sea Dogs website at www.seadogs.com for more information on promotions and how to purchase tickets.