Kavadas Crushes Two Homers in Portland’s 14-1 Win Over Hartford

May 16, 2023 – Eastern League (EL) – Portland Sea Dogs News Release

Hartford, Connecticut- Six Sea Dogs recorded multi-hit games while Niko Kavadas recorded the first multi-home run game of the season in Portland’s (23-11) 14-1 win over the Hartford Yard Goats (17-16) on Tuesday night.

Ceddanne Rafaela picked up where he left off on the base paths after recording a single in the top of the first inning before going on to steal third base to record his twentieth stolen bag of the season. Then, Niko Kavadas came to the plate and crushed a two-run home run to right field to bring Rafaela in to score and Portland took the early lead, 2-0. Kavadas’ home run was his fourth of the season for Portland.

In the top of the third inning, a pair of singles by Nick Yorke and Ceddanne Rafaela would put two on base before Kavadas returned to the plate. Kavadas launched another homer to right center field to bring three more runs across and Portland extended the lead, 5-0. Kavadas is the first Sea Dog to record a multi-home run game this season with his three-run blast.

Phillip Sikes reached after being hit by pitch in the top of the fifth inning before going on to swipe his sixteenth base of the season. Nick Yorke reached on an error to the third baseman allowing Sikes to come around to score and Portland led, 6-0. In the same inning, Nathan Hickey recorded a two-RBI double to record his first double at the Double-A level. A double by Matthew Lugo plated Hickey and the Sea Dogs remained on top, 9-0. Alex Binelas then launched an opposite field home run to record his third of the season to extend the Portland lead, 11-0. The Sea Dogs sent ten to the plate in the fifth inning.

Bladimir Restituyo recorded an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to put Hartford on the board, 11-1.

The home runs continued in the top of the eighth after Nathan Hickey blasted a three-run shot to right center field to extend the lead, 14-1. The three-run home run was his second with Portland.

Six Sea Dog’s recorded multi-hit games in Hartford. Nick Yorke, Ceddanne Rafaela, Niko Kavadas. Nathan Hickey, Matthew Lugo, and Tyler McDonough all had multi-hit days at the plate.

Portland starter RHP CJ Liu (4-2, 3.03 ERA) earned the win after pitching 5.2 scoreless innings allowing just four hits and three walks while matching a career-high eight strikeouts. Hartford starter RHP Mike Ruff (0-2, 6.99 ERA) was issued the loss after tossing 4.0 innings allowing eight runs on seven hits while walking…