Justin Gonzales, Johanfran Garcia power Sea Dogs to another blowout win
Portland, Maine – The Portland Sea Dogs rolled their way to a 14‑3 win over the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday, extending a four‑game winning streak that has the team looking a step closer to a playoff berth. The decisive blow came in the sixth inning, when the Sea Dogs’ lineup surged to a 2‑1 lead, and a pair of clutch home runs from Johanfran García in the final two frames sealed the victory.
In a game that began with a lone run for Richmond, Portland’s offense exploded in the middle of the inning. Justin Gonzales, the No. 2 prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization, delivered two of his four hits that night. His first of the evening was a double that drove in two runs, while a later single sent him across the plate for his second RBI. Gonzales’ performance was part of a 15‑for‑34 line and a 1.260 on‑batter‑plus (OPS) average since his promotion to Double‑A.
The sixth‑inning rally was a collaborative effort. Gonzales, Ronald Rosario, and Henry Godbout each hit doubles that put Portland ahead 2‑1. A wild pitch followed by two bases‑loaded walks gave the Sea Dogs a total of six runs in the inning, turning a one‑run deficit into a commanding lead.
Richmond’s offense faltered as the inning progressed, and the Sea Dogs’ bullpen took over. Morgan McSweeney, the club’s left‑hander, earned his first career win in the franchise’s history. McSweeney allowed just one run and three hits over five solid innings, striking out eight and walking only one.
The big blows came late. García, the veteran slugger, belted a three‑run homer in the eighth inning that pushed the score to 10‑2. He followed it up with another three‑run blast in the ninth, his 16th homer of the season, to put the game beyond any doubt. García’s two homers accounted for six of the 14 runs Portland tallied, while the rest of the lineup supplied 12 additional runs to keep the lead comfortable.
The Sea Dogs’ offense was relentless. Aside from Gonzales and García, several other players contributed runs and runs batted in. Portland finished the game with an 8‑run output in the first eight innings, and an additional six runs came in the ninth. Richmond managed only three runs in total, all in the opening frame.
The win not only extends the Sea Dogs’ streak but also bolsters the confidence of the group as they look toward the end of the season. With Gonzales’ continued offensive production and García’s power, the team has a bright roster to build around. For McSweeney, his first win represents a milestone for a pitcher who has shown promise throughout the season.
Portland will face a new opponent next week, as the Sea Dogs aim to keep the momentum alive and remain a competitive force in the Eastern League. The game at Richmond was a showcase of the team’s offensive firepower and defensive solidity, underscoring why the Sea Dogs are a team to watch in the final stretch of the campaign.
