The Portland Sea Dogs saw a few impressive streaks end Tuesday night with a 4-1 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils at Hadlock Field.

The Sea Dogs’ win streak ended at 10, two short of the franchise record.

When Reading scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning, it was the first time an opponent scored on the Sea Dogs since Saturday – 27 scoreless innings.

And when the Phils kept scoring late, they recorded the first earned runs off the Sea Dogs’ bullpen in 29 innings.

Portland dropped to 85-51 – still one win from tying the franchise record set in 1995. Reading is 60-76.

Portland also saw its lead in the Eastern League East Division reduced to two games. Binghamton (83-53) split a doubleheader with New Britain.

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The one Binghamton loss reduced the Sea Dogs’ magic number to four.

“We know we’re in the driver’s seat if we take care of business,” said Sean Coyle of Portland.

Coyle provided the Sea Dogs’ run with a homer over the left-field wall in the eighth inning, reducing Reading’s lead to 2-1.

Sea Dogs starter Eduardo Rodriguez (2-1) was on the verge of shutting out Reading over seven innings before throwing a two-strike wild pitch, scoring a runner from third base with two outs. That gave the Phils a 1-0 lead.

Reading made it 2-0 on an unearned run in the eighth off Mike McCarthy, who gave up two more in the ninth.

Portland had chances but left eight runners on.

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“You can’t win every game,” Coyle said. “Our pitchers have been doing a great job. We had some good at-bats tonight. Nothing to hang our heads about.”

NOTES: The Red Sox will send at least six players to the Arizona Fall League, including four Sea Dogs. The league, which was developed for prospects to get more work, begins in October. Portland pitchers Keith Couch, Aaron Kurcz and Robby Scott, and second baseman Coyle were invited to play for the Surprise Saguaros with former Portland shortstop Deven Marrero and Salem reliever Madison Younginer. Boston reportedly can add one outfielder and newly signed Cuban free agent Rusney Castillo is a likely candidate.

Tuesday’s announced paid attendance was 5,406. … Michael Almanzar was hit on the hand by a pitch in the seventh inning and left the game. Almanzar has been hit nine times … Coyle easily leads the team in home runs with 15. Stefan Welch is next with eight.

Former Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Celtics fans get their turn Saturday when their first-round draft pick, Marcus Smart, will make an appearance at Hadlock. … The first 1,000 fans through the gate Wednesday receive a free baseball cap.

In the Eastern League West Division, the Richmond Flying Squirrels clinched a playoff spot late Monday night. Akron has a four-game lead over Bowie for the second spot. … In Triple-A, Pawtucket starter Henry Owens gave up three runs in the first but allowed no more through 61/3 innings in a 9-3 victory against the Buffalo Bisons. Bryce Brentz hit a three-run home run for Pawtucket, which has a two-game lead over the Bisons in the wild-card race.

 


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