Mike Olt hit a two-out, two-run homer in the top of 11th inning, giving the Portland Sea Dogs (23-23) a 4-2 Eastern League win over the Reading Fightin Phils (24-23) in the series opener at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Nick Longhi started the rally in the 11th with a one-out single off losing pitcher Miguel Nunez (0-4). Olt’s homer, his sixth, came on a 1-2 pitch, clearing the wall in left-center field.
Josh Smith (2-0) worked three scoreless frames on just one hit to earn the win. Luis Ysla notched the save with a scoreless 11th.
Reading took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off Jalen Beeks. Jiandio Tromp drew a bases-loaded walk and Angelo Mora hit into a run-scoring force out.
Beeks tied a season-high with seven innings on seven hits, two runs, one walk and seven strikeouts.
Portland tied the game in the fifth inning off Drew Anderson. Cole Sturgeon and Jake DePew set the table with one-out singles. Anderson’s balk put two runners in scoring position. Deiner Lopez put the ’Dogs on the board with a sacrifice fly and Danny Mars reached on an error to tie the game at two.
Former Sea Dog Daniel Nava went 1-for-4 as the designated hitter for Reading in a Major League Rehab Assignment.
The Sea Dogs and Fightin Phils play a doubleheader tonight beginning at 5:15 p.m.
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