PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Sea Dogs rallied for three runs in the ninth inning Wednesday night, scoring the clincher on an error to pull out a 4-3 Eastern League baseball victory over the Richmond Flying Squirrels at Hadlock Field.
The Sea Dogs (23-20) trailed 3-1 entering the bottom of the ninth facing Pedro Rodriguez. With one out, Blake Tekotte singled and Marco Hernandez doubled to put the tying runs in scoring position.
Carlos Asuaje delivered a game-tying, two-run single through the middle to make it a 3-3 and advanced to second base on the throw home. After an intentional walk to Jantzen Witte, David Chester hit a hard ground ball on the left side of the infield that went off the glove of third baseman Mitch Delfino and ricocheted into left field, allowing Asuaje to score from second.
Sea Dogs’ starter Luis Diaz lasted 5⅔ innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out three. Madison Younginer and Jorge Marban (1-0) combined to pitch the final 3⅓ innings and gave up just two hits.
The Sea Dogs bullpen has now worked 11 consecutive scoreless innings.
Kelvin Marte started strong for Richmond, going 5⅓ scoreless innings and allowing five hits, one walk, and striking out three.
The Squirrels took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI groundout by Devin Harris, then extended their lead to 3-0 in the fifth on a bloop, two-run single to left field off the bat of Rando Moreno.
The Sea Dogs cut the deficit to 3-1 in the eighth on an RBI single by Aneury Tavares, but Chester was thrown out at home plate by Devin Harris to end the inning.
The rubber match for the series takes place Thursday morning at 11 a.m.