READING, Pa. — The problems with one-run games continued Wednesday night for the Portland Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs left nine runners on base and fell 2-1 to the Reading Fightin Phils in the second of a three-game series at First Energy Stadium.

Portland, which fell to a season-high 24 games under .500, is 9-16 in one-run games, including 4-9 on the road.

The Sea Dogs had chances to the end. In the ninth inning, David Chester walked with one out and Jake Romanski followed with a single to center. But Marco Hernandez, one of the top hitters in the Eastern League, grounded into a double play to end the game.

“This has been happening all year,” said Portland Manager Billy McMillon. “I think we must lead the league in one-run games. We had a runner at third twice with less than two outs and couldn’t get him home.

“We just have to find a way to get it done.”

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Portland wasted an effective spot start from Mike McCarthy, who made his first start since May 29 against Trenton. McCarthy (4-4) entered the game with a 3-0 career record against Reading in eight appearances, four in relief.

McCarthy allowed two singles through the first three innings before Cameron Perkins roped an RBI double for Reading in the fourth.

McCarthy, who threw 71 pitches, gave way to Simon Mercedes in the fifth. Mercedes allowed two hits and struck out four in 21/3 innings.

“(McCarthy) really helped us tonight,” said McMillon. “He went as far as we thought he could and did a nice job.”

Henry Ramos, who was activated from the disabled list earlier in the day and played his first game since April 15, smashed a one-out triple to right in the fourth.

But he was stranded on a shallow fly to left and a grounder to short.

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In the third, Hernandez and Carlos Asuaje hit back-to-back singles with one out, sending Hernandez to third. But Jantzen Witte hit into a double play.

Reading added a run in the seventh when Harold Martinez sent a single to right, where Ramos bobbled the ball, then fell. Martinez ended up at third, then scored on K.C. Serna’s sacrifice fly to center.

Reading starter Reinier Robal made only his fourth start, replacing Jesse Biddle, who was promoted Tuesday night to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Robal allowed five hits in four innings.

Hernandez extended his hitting streak to nine games by going 3 for 5 for the Sea Dogs, including a leadoff double in the eighth. His batting average rose to .323.

But Hernandez was thrown out trying to score from third on Witte’s grounder in the eighth. Sam Travis’ broken-bat single drove in Asuaje, and the Sea Dogs had runners on first and third with two outs.

Manuel Margot then grounded to short.

NOTES: Portland relief pitcher Madison Younginer (3-3, 3.05) was named as a replacement player for the Eastern Division in the All-Star Classic on Wednesday. He became the sixth member of the Sea Dogs named to the game. … Asuaje made consecutive over-the-shoulder catches on pop-ups early in the game and had two hits for the second straight game. … Witte extended his hitting streak to seven games and Travis to eight. … William Cuevas (3.51) will meet Mark Leiter Jr. (3.52) in the series finale.


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