His last name is Betts and he knows what that means, playing in the Boston Red Sox organization.
“Since I got drafted, I heard a lot of Mookie Betts (comparisons),” said Jordan Betts, the newest member of the Portland Sea Dogs. “He’s a great player and has a lot of fans. We’re obviously not related but it’s a lot of fun.”
Mookie Betts, the Boston Red Sox right fielder, made lots of special memories when he played for the Sea Dogs in 2014.
Jordan Betts almost made a memory in his Double-A debut Monday. His three-run double gave Portland a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning.
But the rally was spoiled by the Trenton Thunder’s comeback in the ninth, scoring three runs for a 7-5 win at Hadlock Field.
Portland entered the ninth inning with a 5-4 lead, but Trenton loaded the bases with a single and two walks against closer Bob Wort (0-2).
Jack Cave then fought off two full-count pitches and delivered a two-run ground single to center for a 6-5 lead. A fly ball and error brought in another run.
In the bottom of the ninth, Jordan Weems reached on an error, Ali Solis singled and Derek Miller bunted them over. But Trenton closer Mark Montgomery struck out Tzu-Wei Lin.
With two outs, Wendell Rijo ripped a rising line drive to left, but Cave made a snow-cone catch to end the game.
For five innings, Portland looked lifeless, managing only two hits. The Sea Dogs have struggled on offense, and that was before they sent their best hitter, Jantzen Witte, to Triple-A Pawtucket after Sunday’s game.
Monday appeared hopeless against Yankees prospect Brady Lail, entering the game with a 1.59 ERA. Trenton got to Portland starter Justin Haley for three runs over five innings.
That seemed plenty for Lail until Portland loaded the bases with one out in the sixth. Rainel Rosario singled in a run and Aneury Tavarez walked in another, closing the score to 3-2.
Up stepped Betts, who began his day with a 3 a.m. taxi to the airport in North Carolina, where Class A Salem was playing.
Betts, 24, was an 18th-round draft pick out of Duke in 2014. He was 0 for 2 before swatting a Lail fastball over the left fielder’s head, clearing the bases for a 5-3 lead.
Sea Dogs reliever Mike McCarthy was in line for his first win with 22/3 innings of one-run relief until the ninth.
Portland (4-8) has lost four straight. Trenton is 7-4.
NOTES: Portland right-hander Aaron Wilkerson was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for his three starts this season. He is 1-0 with a 0.54 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 162/3 innings, with three walks. … Witte was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket to fill in for injured third baseman Chris Dominguez (right oblique strain). … Haley’s ERA is 3.97. … The announced paid attendance was 3,103 … Cole Sturgeon and Rosario were both 2 for 4.
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