Sea Dogs edged by Fightin Phils
Portland Sea Dogs fell to the Reading Fightin’ Phils, 3‑2, on a Saturday night in Pennsylvania, as Reading’s offense outpaced the Sea Dogs’ late rally. The double‑A Eastern League contest was decided when Bryson Ware of Portland delivered a two‑run homer in the seventh inning, giving the Fightin’ Phils a 3‑1 advantage that the Sea Dogs could not overcome in the ninth.
The game opened with Reading’s Raylin Heredia launching a solo homer off Portland starter Gage Ziehl in the fourth inning, putting the Phils on top. In the fifth, Ahbram Liendo broke the tie with a sacrifice fly that earned him the game‑tying run, leaving the score 2‑2 heading into the sixth.
The Sea Dogs took a 3‑1 lead in the seventh when Bryson Ware blasted a tiebreaking two‑run shot. The homer came on a count of 1‑2 with two outs, and it snapped the tie and extended Portland’s advantage. Reading answered with a single from Johanfran Garcia, but the extra‑base hit was not enough to erase the deficit.
The contest’s dramatic finish arrived in the bottom of the ninth. With Portland down 3‑1, Miguel Bleis doubled to start a rally. Brooks Brannon then hit an RBI single that pulled the Sea Dogs within one run, 3‑2. A single by Johanfran Garcia followed, setting the stage for a potential walk‑off. However, a double‑play grounder from Reading’s lineup brought the game to a close, preserving the Fightin’ Phils’ victory.
The loss marks another setback for the Sea Dogs in a season where they have struggled to maintain momentum. For Reading, the win provides a confidence boost as the Fightin’ Phils look to build on their offensive performance in the weeks ahead.
