This morning, the Boston Red Sox Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, and the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, the Reading Fightin Phils, played the third game of their six-game series this week at Hadlock Field in Portland, ME. Portland took the first game on Tuesday, 2-0, then last night, 9-4. Portland entered today, 19-21, in fourth place in the Eastern League Northeast. Reading entered the game 20-21 in third place in the Northeast. The Sea Dogs had Blake Wehunt on the mound, bringing in an 0-2 record with a 6.17 ERA, a 1.71 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts in 11.2 innings. Luke Russo got the ball for Reading, bringing in a 5-1 record with a 4.45 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts in 30.1 innings.
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Sea Dogs vs. Fightin Phils
The Portland Sea Dogs rode a dominant pitching performance to a 1-0 win over Reading, setting a franchise record with 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. Portland’s staff eclipsed the previous nine-inning mark and finished three shy of the club’s overall record of 23 strikeouts in an extra-inning game. The two teams combined for 32 strikeouts in the game. Portland scored the game’s lone run in the bottom of the third inning. Will Turner opened the frame by getting hit by a pitch and moved to third on a single from Marvin Alcantara. Nate Baez then brought Turner home on a fielder’s choice to give the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead. The Sea Dogs threatened to add another run in the fifth inning, but Turner was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a flyout.
The Record
Wehunt delivered his longest outing of the season for Portland, tossing five shutout innings while allowing four hits. The right-hander struck out 11 of the 19 batters he faced and recorded five consecutive strikeouts spanning the second and third innings. Seven of his 11 strikeouts came swinging, and he did not issue his first walk until the fifth inning. Wehunt earned his first win of the season to improve to 1-2.
Reading starter Russo also turned in a strong outing despite taking the loss. He allowed one run on three hits across five innings, walking three and striking out eight. Six of Russo’s eight strikeouts came swinging as he fell to 5-2 on the season.
Patrick Halligan, the reigning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, followed Wehunt and dominated in relief. Halligan struck out six of the eight batters he faced while allowing one hit and one walk. Cooper Adams closed out the final two innings for Portland, striking out three more.
Andrew Baker relieved Russo for Reading and worked 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. Phillies No. 17 prospect Alex McFarlane entered in relief of Baker and finished the seventh and eighth innings with two strikeouts.
At the plate, Alcantara paced Portland with three singles. Austin Murr reached base three times for Reading on two bunt singles and a walk. Former Sea Dog Alex Binelas endured a tough night, striking out four times for the golden sombrero.
Next Up:
These two teams will play tomorrow night at 6:00 PM EST at Delta Dental Park in Portland, ME. The Sea Dogs will have the Red Sox 12th ranked prospect, right-handed pitcher John Holobetz, facing off against the Phillies second ranked prospect and the 71st overall prospect in baseball, right-handed pitcher Gage Wood. Holobetz is 1-3 with a 4.83 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP, and 34 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. Wood is making his first career Double-A start. He is 0-2 this season at Single-A with a 3.42 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 26.1 innings.
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