Harrisburg, PA- The Portland Sea Dogs limited the Harrisburg Senators to two hits for a 2-1 victory over the Washington Nationals affiliate Tuesday night in the opener of a six game series. Despite trailing 1-0 after six innings, Portland capitalized on a Harrisburg error and then a home run by Pedro Castellanos. The ‘Dogs improve to 16-9 on the season, while the Senators fall to 7-17.
After Portland starter Kutter Crawford retired seven straight batters, Rhett Wiseman hit a solo home run to right field and the Senators led 1-0 after the third inning.
In the top of the seventh inning, Johan Mieses led off with a double down the left-field line. The Senators then retired the next two batters. Ryan Fitzgerald worked a walk and the Sea Dogs had runners on the corners. Grant Williams then sent a groundball to the third baseman Drew Mendoza, but he committed an error with the throw to first and Mieses was able to score to tie it 1-1. Pedro Castellanos smashed the game winner and third home run of the season in the top of the eighth inning, a solo shot to left field.
Crawford tossed 5.0 innings allowing one run on one hit (solo home run) while walking two and striking out six. Crawfords ERA falls to 3.54. Tyler Olson (1-0) was awarded the win, pitching 1.0 shutout inning allowing one hit with three strikeouts. Jose Adames earned his league-leading seventh save of the season after pitching a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout.
The Sea Dogs and Senators meet for game two tomorrow, June 2nd at 6:30 p.m. Portland will send RHP AJ Politi (1-3, 5.48 ERA) to the mound, and Harrisburg counters with RHP Mario Sanchez (0-3, 3.81 ERA) on the bump.
