Squirrels tame Dogs

August 7, 2013 Back in Portland for back to back games vs the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Richmond new to the Eastern League, recently become the double a afiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Many years Richmond was in the triple a International League as the Richmond Braves. Speaking of triple A, Chris Hernandez the starting pitcher for Portland was brought down from Pawtucket to Portland. This is to be is first start in Portland since last season. On the bump for Richmond was right hander Chris Gloor (8-5, 3.44 era, 21 starts). Sea Dogs bats got going in the first, Derrik Gibson led off the game with a double. Garin Cacchini with one out singled to drive in Gibson. So after one inning 1-0 Dogs. Hernandez meanwhile pitched great. He gave up a run in the 5th inning but that would be the only run he would give up in 6 1/3 innings. Offensive standouts for Portland was Shannon Wilkerson who went 2-4 with two runs scored. Cecchini who coming into the game .293 went 2-4 also. In the 3rd inning Portland added another run Michael Almanzar lined a hit scoring Wilkerson. With one out in the 6th Sea Dogs manager Kevin Boles pulled Hernandez who pitched a nice game. He brought in Franklin Morales who was in Portland for a re-hab assignment. He picked off the runner at first, gave up a single then got a fly to right to end the inning. Coming back out in the 8th was Morales. Squirrels catcher Navarro doubled. With the number nine hitter up he squared to bunt. Well he hit in the perfect spot beating hit for a infield hit. After a strikeout Morales was pulled. Former Cleveland Indian Rafeal Perez was brought in. With runners on 1st and 3rd and one out a sac fly to rightfield was hit to tie the game. So on to the bottom of the 8th. Derrik Gibson lead off the inning with a strikeout. Shannon Wilkerson singled. Next up Garin Cecchini doubled to bring in Gibson. So Portland had a slim one run lead going into the 9th. Perez still in the game which was a little suprising to me. Lets just say the inning did not go well. After a walk, homer, homer then finally a out. Perez was finally pulled from the game but the damage was done. Richmond had a 5-3 lead. Pete Ruiz came in and retired the side. Cody Hall pitched the 9th for Richmond. But Portland went down 1-2-3. Game Over. Tough game for the Dogs.