Early Lead Holds; Sea Dogs Beat Fightin Phils 3-1

August 18, 2022 – Eastern League (EL) – Portland Sea Dogs News Release

Bryan Mata Tosses 6.0 Strong Innings Box Score Play-by-Play Reading, Pennsylvania – Bryan Mata gave up one unearned run over 6.0 innings, striking out seven as the Portland Sea Dogs (55-56, 25-17) took a 3-1 victory over the Reading Fightin Phils (50-61, 21-21) on Thursday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Reading drove in the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning against Mata. Johan Rojas led off the inning with a walk, stole second base, and drew an errant throw from Portland catcher Elih Marrero to advance to third base. Kevin Vicuna grounded out to shortstop, bringing in Rojas to give the Fightin Phils a 1-0 lead.

The Sea Dogs responded by taking the lead in the top of the second inning against Fightin Phils starter Aiden Anderson. Christian Koss led off with a double to center. Two outs later, Tyler Dearden singled to right field, scoring Koss and advancing to second on an error to tie the game 1-1. Cameron Cannon walked and Elih Marrero took a base hit into center, driving in Dearden to put Portland in the lead 2-1.

Portland added a run to their lead in the top of the third with Anderson still on the mound. David Hamilton led off the inning with a base hit to right. Hamilton stole second and third, bringing his season total to 53. Wilyer Abreu launched a sacrifice fly to left, plating Hamilton to extend the Sea Dogs lead to 3-1.

The Sea Dogs bullpen held strong the rest of the way. Brendan Nail entered for a scoreless seventh inning, striking out two. Michael Gettys worked through a scoreless eighth inning while walking two and striking out one. Brett Kennedy came in for the final inning, shutting out the Fightin Phils lineup, securing a 3-1 win.

Mata (4-2, 2.11 ERA) tossed 6.0 innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits, walking three, and striking out seven in his fourth win of the year. Anderson (0-1, 11.81 ERA) worked through two innings, surrendering two runs on three hits, and walking one in his first loss of the year.

The Sea Dogs and Fightin Phils play the fourth game of a six-game series on Friday with a 7:00 PM first pitch at FirstEngergy Stadium. Portland sends RHP Sterling Sharp (0-0, 3.60 ERA) to the mound against Reading RHP Griff McGarry (0-2, 2.01 ERA).

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