SEA DOGS FIGHT TO THE END, BUT FALL TO READING 3-2

DIAZ 6 STRONG INNINGS, WITTE 2-FOR-3

Portland, Maine - The Sea Dogs had the lead runner reach in the final seven innings, but Reading held on for a 3-2 win on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field in front of a sellout crowd of 7,368.

Luis Martinez led off the ninth with a walk, but Nefi Ogando retired the next three batters, earning his second save of the season. The Sea Dogs finished the game 1-for-10 with runners-in-scoring position.

Fightins righty Ben Lively (4-1) earned the victory in his 8th start of the season. Lively tossed 5.2 innings on 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Luis Diaz (0-4) remained winless in 18 consecutive starts dating back to last season, but earned his first quality start of the season. Diaz pitched 6 innings on 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Portland's bullpen was outstanding, firing 3 scoreless and fanning 6. Jorge Marban pitched two innings with 3 K's and Robby Scott fanned 3 in the ninth.

Reading grabbed a quick 1-0 lead, scoring in their first turn against Diaz.  Brock Stassi delivered a two-out RBI single. In the third, Harold Martinez led off the frame with a solo-homer off the video board in left-center field.

Portland got on the board in the fourth inning off Lively. Carlos Asuaje led off with a single and scored on a Maine Monster double by Jantzen Witte (2-for-3, 2 doubles, walk).

The Fightins would add their second 2-out run in the sixth inning, taking a 3-1 lead.  Stassi walked with one out, stole second base and scored on a single by Brian Pointer. Portland answered with a two-out run in there half of the sixth. Witte led off with a double and scored on Marco Hernandez's (3-for-4, 2B) single to left.  Adam Loewen, who earned a hold in his first appearance of the season, yielded the hit.

Before the game, Aneury Tavarez was assigned to Portland from High-A Salem, and flied out as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.

The Sea Dogs are 3-4 on their eight-game homestand and 4-6 against Reading this season.


Portland and Reading wrap up their five-game series on Monday afternoon at Hadlock Field with a 1:00 PM first pitch. Mike Augliera (1-7, 5.18) makes his 9th start of the season for Portland.  Aaron Nola (6-2, 1.54) gets the start for the Fightins. Pre-Game coverage on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network begins at 12:40 PM. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by phone at 207-879-9500 or online at seadogs.com.