Bowie, MD – The Portland Sea Dogs (31-31)(66-64) rallied late to complete a 6-4 comeback win over the Chesapeake Baysox (34-27)(63-66) on Saturday night.
The Sea Dogs batted around in the eighth inning, scoring all six runs on five hits and two walks. Ronald Rosario launched his thirteenth home run of the season to break through the shutout. Tyler McDonough was three-for-four with a two-RBI single and a run scored. Nelly Taylor hit an RBI double, and Brooks Brannon smacked a two-out RBI single. Will Turner had a multi-hit night, going two-for-three with a walk and a run scored.
Wehiwa Aloy got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run, his third of the week.
Chesapeake extended their lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the second. Dom Keegan was hit by a pitch and Griff O’Ferrall walked to put two runners on. Fernando Peguero singled, driving in Keegan. Peguero stole second and scored alongside O’Ferrall on a Frederick Bencosme two-run double.
Through seven innings and just 68 pitches, RHP Patrick Reilly faced the minimum 21 batters for Portland. He had allowed three hits, but all three of those runners were retired on base, caught stealing or via double play.
The Sea Dogs’ luck changed in the eighth inning. Johanfran Garcia drew a leadoff walk on a full count before Rosario launched a two-run home run to right field, cutting the Baysox lead in half, 4-2.
The Baysox made a pitching change, sending right-hander Bradley Brehmer out in relief. With one out, Will Turner singled and Mason White walked. Taylor hit an RBI double to drive in Turner, leaving runners on second and third. McDonough ripped a single up the middle and the Sea Dogs took their first lead of the night. With two outs, Brannon singled to drive in another run, and the Sea Dogs led 6-4. Brannon extended his on-base streak to 25 games, tying Ahbram Liendo for the longest streak by a Sea Dog this season.
RHP Steven Brooks (1-1, 4.20 ERA) earned the win, allowing no runs on no hits and one walk with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched. The loss went against RHP Bradley Brehmer (0-1, 15.43 ERA) who allowed four runs on three hits and one walk in 0.1 innings pitched. LHP Erik Rivera (S, 4) earned the save, holding Chesapeake scoreless on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work.
Portland’s two week road trip wraps up tomorrow as the Sea Dogs look to salvage a series tie against Chesapeake. RHP Caleb Bolden (4-5, 5.43 ERA) is set to face LHP Sebastian Gongora (9-6, 3.64 ERA), with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 pm at Prince George’s Stadium.