The Harrisburg Senators returned home from a rocky road trip to the friendly confines of Commerce Bank Park and got back in the win column with another come-from-behind victory, a 5-3 win over the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox affiliate). The visitors struck for 2 runs in the top of the first off Harrisburg starter Justin Echols, and the Senators may have been fortunate to not give up more runs. However, the Senators came back with individual runs in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings and two more runs on a Kory Casto 2-run homer in the 5th inning to take a 5-2 lead. Meanwhile, the Senators' pitching took over the game, as Portland managed only ONE hit after the first inning, a solo home run in the 6th inning. Harrisburg wasted some opportunities to add some insurance runs in the late innings but it didn't matter as pitchers Echols, Devin Perrin, and Roy Corcoran shut down the Sea Dogs to get the Senators back on the winning track.
General game notes:
- The Eastern League umpires are still on strike, and it may be showing up in the umpiring. Many fans were getting on the home plate umpire for his strike zone, and Ian Desmond got a triple on a ball that appeared to get stuck down in the RF corner and could have been a ground-rule double (from where I was sitting, I couldn't tell exactly what happened).
- The Senators looked sharp in the field, as they made a number of fine plays. The best play was probably a sliding catch by LF Jesus Feliciano near the foul line. CF Frank Diaz, 3B Kory Casto, and P Justin Echols each made a nice play as well.
Individual Harrisburg Senators player notes:
Kory Casto - had an excellent offensive game, going 2 for 3 with a 2-run homer, single, and walk. He's now hitting .288 and has a .393 OBP. He also looked very solid at 3rd base.
Frank Diaz - had a somewhat forgettable game, going 1 for 4 with 2 double-play groundouts. He was also thrown out on a steal attempt that may have been part of a failed hit and run. He made a fine catch on a fairly deep line drive ball to center field that he made look easier than it was. Diaz is now hitting .350 but has drawn only 1 walk so far this season.
Ian Desmond - went 2 for 4 with an RBI triple and single, getting his average above the Mendoza Line. He made all the plays he should make at shortstop, though he bobbled one grounder and barely threw out the runner.
Salomon Manriquez - enjoyed a 2 for 4 night, both doubles, with a run scored. He was unable to stop a couple wild pitches, including one where Portland scored a run, but he really had no chance on either pitch.
Josh Whitesell - went 2 for 4 with an RBI and 2 strikeouts.
Alex Escobar - the rehabbing Escobar was not retired once, finishing 2 for 2 with a double, single, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored. He also made the defensive play of the game (see game notes).
Robert Fick - went 0 for 4 with 3 weakly hit pop-outs in his third rehab game for Harrisburg.
Justin Echols - pitched 6 solid innings, giving up 3 runs (all earned) on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 HBP. I think he only gave up 1 baserunner (at most 2 baserunners) after the 1st inning.
Devin Perrin - pitched two perfect innings of relief in the 7th and 8th innings with 2 strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 1.29.
MILB.com boxscore
