PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Sea Dogs had the lead runner reach in the final seven innings, but Reading held on for a 3-2 Eastern League win on Sunday at Hadlock Field in front of a sellout crowd of 7,368.
Portland’s 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.
Fightin Phils righty Ben Lively (4-1) earned the victory in his eighth start of the season. Lively tossed 5 ⅔ innings on five hits, two runs, two walks and five strikeouts.
Portland’s Luis Diaz (0-4) remained winless in 18 consecutive starts dating back to last season, but earned his first quality start of the season. He pitched six innings on five hits, three runs (two earned), two walks and three strikeouts.
Portland’s bullpen was strong, firing three scoreless innings and fanning six. Jorge Marban pitched two innings with three strikeouts and Robby Scott fanned three in the ninth.
Reading grabbed a quick 1-0 lead, scoring in its 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. Carlos Asuaje led off with a single and scored on a Maine Monster double by Jantzen Witte.
Reading would add its second two-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 its half of the sixth. Witte led off with a double and scored on Marco Hernandez’s 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.