PORTLAND — The Portland Sea Dogs got a game-tying home run from Oscar Tejeda in the seventh inning Sunday, but the Sea Dogs still lost their 17th game this month, dropping a 4-2 decision to the Reading Phillies before 5,957 at Hadlock Field.
Michael Spidale stroked a two-run double in the eighth inning off Portland reliever Caleb Clay (1-2). The Phillies added an insurance run in the ninth.
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Portland scored once in the ninth, and loaded the bases with two outs, but could not get the clutch hit.
The Phillies (15-7) continue to lead the Eastern League East Division, while Portland (7-17) remains in last place.
Reading starter Tyler Cloyd stymied the Sea Dogs, keeping Portland hitless until Juan Carlos Linares’ single to right field with two outs in the sixth inning.
Tejeda greeted Reading reliever Tyson Brummett with a home to left center, into an 18 m.p.h. wind, tying the game 1-1.
Sea Dogs left-hander Chris Hernandez pitched well, allowing six hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings. He walked none and struck out three, dropping his ERA to 1.69.
Hernandez gave up a lead-off single to Tyson Gillies. He advanced to third on two groundouts and scored on Sebastian Valle’s single to center.
Gillies and Darin Ruf both walked off Clay in the eighth inning, setting up Spidale’s game-winning hit. A sacrifice fly gave Reading a 4-1 lead in the ninth.
In the bottom of the ninth, Tejeda led off with a bloop single. Ronald Bermudez followed with a double, putting runners on second and third.
Matt Spring’s fly ball dropped in center field, but Tejeda was thrown out at home. Ryan Dent’s sacrifice fly scored Bermudez, closing the score to 4-2.
Zach Gentile singled and Jeremy Hazelbaker walked to load the bases. But Derrik Gibson flied out to center, ending the game.
The Sea Dogs will play the New York Yankees-affiliated Trenton Thunderon Monday at 6 p.m. at Hadlock.
New York veteran Andy Pettitte was initially scheduled to pitch, but the Yankees changed their mind, not wanting Pettitte to pitch in cold weather yet.
Staff writer Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:
kthomas@pressherald.com
Twitter: ClearTheBases
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