By Tiffany Williams –
READING, Pa. — The Portland Sea Dogs (7-13, 41-46) were blanked by the Reading Fightin Phils (10-10, 35-52) in a 3-0 loss on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium, as the offense struggled to find its footing.
Portland managed just two hits in the game, both singles—one from Ronald Rosario and another from Mikey Romero. Reading starter Koyo Aoyagi (1-2) earned the win with five hitless innings, walking five and striking out four. Reliever David Sandlin contributed four scoreless frames of his own, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out one.
Reading took an early lead in the bottom of the first. Aidan Miller reached on an error by second baseman Max Ferguson, and Paul McIntosh followed with an RBI double to the right field corner to make it 1-0. Nick Dunn’s RBI single extended the lead to 2-0.
In the bottom of the second, Cade Fergus added to the tally with a solo home run, giving the Fightin Phils a 3-0 advantage that held for the rest of the game.
Sea Dogs left-hander Payton Tolle (0-1) was charged with the loss in his start, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits across four innings. He walked one and struck out five.
Andrew Bechtold closed the game with authority, striking out the side in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.
The Sea Dogs and Fightin Phils will conclude their six-game series on Sunday, July 20, at 5:15 p.m. Portland will send LHP Connelly Early (7-2, 2.59 ERA) to the mound, while Reading counters with RHP Griff McGarry (0-2, 3.33 ERA).