Pointer's Three Home Runs Power Reading to an 8-5 Win

Manuel Margot Hits First Career Double-A Homer in Loss

Portland, Maine - Brian Pointer hit three home runs and spoiled the opener of a seven-game homestand at Hadlock Field as the Reading Fightin Phils (39-35) beat the Sea Dogs (27-48) 8-5 on Saturday night.

It was the first career three-homer game for Pointer and the first time a player hit three home runs in a game against the Sea Dogs since Derrick Gibson of the New Haven Ravens hit three on July 15th, 1997, at Hadlock Field.

Reading got off to a quick start with back-to-back doubles by KC Serna and Kelly Dugan to take a 1-0 lead after one.  The Fightins doubled up their lead in the second on a solo home run by Brian Pointer - his sixth of the season - to make it 2-0.

The Sea Dogs struck in the fourth thanks to a leadoff double by Jantzen Witte that stretched into a triple on an error by center fielder Ethan Chapman.  Sam Travis would follow with a sac fly to pick up his first Double-A RBI and cut the lead to 2-1.  Portland then tied the game at two in the third when Carlos Asuaje grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, but Cole Sturgeon scored.

Portland starter Heri Quevedo allowed two earned runs on five hits in five innings, walking two and striking out five to receive a no decision.  Mike McCarthy entered the game in the sixth and allowed a two-run homer to Pointer to give Reading the 4-2 advantage.

The Sea Dogs rallied in the fifth off Jesse Biddle - after a single by Jantzen Witte and a walk to Sam Travis, Manuel Margot unloaded on a 3-2 pitch and hit his first career Double-A home run to give the Sea Dogs a 5-4 lead.  Biddle went six full innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits, walking three and striking out three.

Reading fought back off of Miguel Celestino (L, 0-2) in the eighth.  After a leadoff walk to Brodie Greene, Pointer hit his third homer of the game to make it 6-5 Reading.  The Fightins padded the lead on an RBI triple by JP Crawford and a single by KC Serna to make it 8-5.

Ryan Hanigan, on rehab assignment for the Red Sox, played all nine innings at catcher and went 0-2 with two walks and a strikeout.  Ethan Martin (1-0) picked up his first win of the season with a scoreless inning of relief.


The series continues tomorrow afternoon, first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.  William Cuevas (7-4, 3.61) takes the mound for Portland against Zach Eflin (5-4, 2.76) of Reading.  Pregame coverage begins on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network at 12:40 PM. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at seadogs.com or by phone at 207-879-9500.