It just took one big inning, and clutch pitching, but the Portland Sea Dogs prevailed Thursday night with a 5-4 victory over the Reading Fightin’ Phils at Hadlock Field.

Portland (14-8), which scored all its runs in the second inning, won its fifth straight game. Reading dropped to 13-10.

Joseph Monge and Danny Mars hit back-to-back two-run doubles in the second, and new infielder Josh Tobias followed with an RBI single off Reading starter Tyler Viza (1-3).

Sea Dogs starter Teddy Stankiewicz (1-0) recorded his first decision in five starts, allowing two runs over six innings. His ERA dropped to 3.19.

“He threw a bunch of strikes for us tonight,” Portland catcher Jordan Procyshen said. “When he’s at his best, he’s pounding the zone. He’s got that four-pitch mix and everything looks the same coming out of his hand.”

Stankiewicz walked one and struck out five, three in a key sixth inning.

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With Portland up 5-2, Reading loaded the bases with no outs, with two singles and a walk.

Stankiewicz recovered by striking out the next three batters. He got Aaron Brown looking at a slider, Malquin Canelo swinging at a slider, and Scott Kingery swinging at a 94 mph fastball.

“It was intense,” Procyshen said. “I went out to talk to Teddy and said, ‘hey, let’s shut it down.’ All kudos to him. He executed every single pitch.”

That last fastball was his 100th pitch.

“He had his back against the wall and he came out aggressive,” Manager Carlos Febles said. “That was the game there.”

Stankiewicz’s six-inning effort gives him 31 innings this season, among the best in the Eastern League.

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Jake Cosart relieved in the seventh and gave up two runs. He recorded two outs but also walked four batters, leaving with the bases loaded and the score 5-3.

Austin Maddox relieved and hit the first batter he faced, bringing in a run, then got Canelo to fly out to end the threat.

Maddox finished with 21/3 innings and his second save. His ERA remains at 0.00.

Rafael Devers had two singles for the Sea Dogs, beating Reading’s shift twice. The left-handed Devers lined a ball into left field and later bunted down the third- base line.

“He has to be able to that,” Febles said, “especially nowadays with all the shifts.”

Tobias, 24, who was called up Monday from Class A Salem, was obtained by the Red Sox in the Clay Buchholz trade with the Phillies. This was Tobias’ first game against Reading, the Phillies’ Double-A affiliate.

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“It was interesting,” Tobias said. “I’m hitting (batting practice) and all my friends are walking by me … But I’m getting acclimated here and I’m having a lot of fun.”

NOTES: Tzu-Wei Lin was 0 for 3, stopping his hitting streak at 15 games. He still leads the team with a .339 average. Devers is batting .333. … The announced paid attendance was 5,747. … The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader at 5 p.m. Friday … Portland also received infielder Deiner Lopez from Salem.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: @ClearTheBases


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