May 17, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rei has a day; PawSox cough it up
5/18 Cup of Coffee: Portland won big in Game 1 of a doubleheader with Reading before losing in extra innings in Game 2 of the twin-bill while Pawtucket coughed up an unearned run in what proved to be the game-winner for Buffalo on Wednesday. There was no shortage of power on the farm, however, as Austin Rei (pictured) and Jantzen Witte both homered for the Sea Dogs while Sam Travis added a home run for himself with the PawSox.
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Ryan Brasier was the tough-luck loser, giving up an unearned run in the top of the ninth as Pawtucket lost to Buffalo.
After a leadoff walk to Roemon Fields in the top of the ninth, Fields stole second and moved to third on a throwing error from catcher Mike Ohlman. Fields then scored on a sacrifice fly to center field. William Cuevas pitch six innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs while striking out four in the no-decision. Sam Travis blasted his second home run of the season as the PawSox mustered only two extra-base hits.
After a leadoff walk to Roemon Fields in the top of the ninth, Fields stole second and moved to third on a throwing error from catcher Mike Ohlman. Fields then scored on a sacrifice fly to center field. William Cuevas pitch six innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs while striking out four in the no-decision. Sam Travis blasted his second home run of the season as the PawSox mustered only two extra-base hits.
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Portland Sea Dogs 8, Reading Fightin' Phils (PHI) 2 (Game 1)
Austin Rei blasted a three-run home run in the first inning while Jantzen Witte added a solo shot in the third to power Portland past Reading in Game 1 of a doubleheader. It was both players second homer of the season at Double-A, as Witte is hitting .550 since coming down from Pawtucket. Rei had two hits while Witte added three.
Kyle Hart picked up the win, pitching five innings of two-run ball while striking out three. It marks his second victory of the season.
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Adam Lau blew a save, and Jake Cosart got the loss as the Sea Dogs coughed up a 7-0 lead after five innings in a heart-breaking loss in extra innings to the Fightin' Phils in Game 2 of a doubleheader.
Reading plated seven runs in the sixth to tie it and then two more in the ninth before Portland plated a run the bottom half of the inning, but Chad De La Guerra struck out swinging with the tying run on third to end it. De La Guerra continues to hit the cover off the ball, however, since his demotion to Double-A. He added three hits in the loss after recording two hits in Game 1. His average is now .433. Tony Renda also added three hits in the loss.
Reading plated seven runs in the sixth to tie it and then two more in the ninth before Portland plated a run the bottom half of the inning, but Chad De La Guerra struck out swinging with the tying run on third to end it. De La Guerra continues to hit the cover off the ball, however, since his demotion to Double-A. He added three hits in the loss after recording two hits in Game 1. His average is now .433. Tony Renda also added three hits in the loss.
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Salem Red Sox at Potomac Nationals (WAS), PPD rain
For the second straight day weather caused a postponement as Wednesday's doubleheader will now be played on Thursday, starting at 1 p.m.
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Player of the Day: If Austin Rei was the Mercy Hospital player of the game, that's good enough for us. Although the 2015 third-round draft pick hasn't performed well at the plate so far this season - his first in Portland - Rei has homered in his last two games, with his three-run home run in the first inning setting the tone in the Sea Dogs' Game 1 victory.
Photo Credit: Austin Rei by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Austin Rei by Kelly O'Connor