Red Sox #2 prospect Justin Gonzales collects two hits in Double-A debut
Portland, Maine – The Portland Sea Dogs (24-22)(59-55) took down the Reading Fightin Phils (25-20)(56-58) 7-5 on Tuesday night, featuring the triumphant return of the rehabbing Roman Anthony, and an electric Double-A Debut for No. 2 prospect Justin Gonzales.
Anthony reached base in all four plate appearances, drawing a pair of walks in addition to a single and a massive, no-doubt two-run home run. Gonzales finished with a pair of singles, marking his first hit and multi-hit game in Double-A. Brooks Brannon drove in a pair of runs with a pair of RBI hits, a single and a double, while Jack Winnay reached base three times, drove in a run and scored twice, going two-for-three with a walk. Henry Godbout launched his first Double-A home run.
Gonzales led off the game with his first Double-A hit. Anthony walked on a full count, before Winnay came through with an RBI single.
Godbout’s home run came in the fourth inning, doubling the Sea Dogs’ lead, 2-0.
Portland added three more runs on two hits and two walks in the fifth inning. Ferguson walked and scored on Anthony’s home run, before Winnay singled and scored on Brannon’s RBI double.
Trailing 5-0, Reading got on the board with a three-run sixth inning, powered by a pair of home runs from Raylin Heredia and Carson DeMartini.
In the seventh inning, the Sea Dogs added some insurance runs. Anthony walked for the second time and was replaced by Ahbram Liendo as a pinch runner. Winnay singled and Brannon’s RBI single drove in Liendo. With runners on the corners, Ronald Rosario ran out what would have been an inning-ending double play, driving in Winnay with the fielder’s choice.
LHP Erik Rivera allowed two runs on three walks and a Heredia single in the ninth inning. With the tying run on second base, a flyout to center field ended the ballgame.
LHP Dalton Rogers (2-4, 5.59 ERA) earned the win, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with a season-high eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Rogers dealt five scoreless innings before allowing a two-run home run in the sixth inning. RHP Luke Russo (9-8, 4.57 ERA) shouldered the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched.
The series continues on Wednesday, with LHP Jeremy Wu-Yelland (2-1, 8.59 ERA) set to face LHP Adam Seminaris (11-7, 3.24 ERA). The Sea Dogs are celebrating Lighthouse Appreciation Night presented by Lighthouse Credit Union, and South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community night. The first 1,000 fans will receive a replica Hadlock Field lighthouse with a working light! First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm at Delta Dental Park.
