READING, Pa. — For the second consecutive day, a late-inning rally wasn’t enough to lift the Portland Sea Dogs past the Reading Fightin Phils.

Faced with a four-run deficit after two innings, the Sea Dogs (2-2) started to chip away. In the third, Bo Greenwell reached via a passed ball on a third strike and was moved to second on a throwing error by the pitcher Perci Garner. With two outs, Deven Marrero picked up the RBI with an infield single and pulled Portland to within three at 4-1.

In the fourth, Henry Ramos singled and moved into scoring position courtesy of a passed ball. Matt Spring was next and doubled home Ramos in his second at-bat of the season. Two innings later it was again Spring who drove home a run and bought Portland to within one, at 4-3, with a sacrifice fly.

But the Fightin Phils’ bullpen went to work from there. Jay Johnson worked the eighth in scoreless fashion and Ken Giles was called upon for the ninth. Giles struck out the side in order, with his final pitch clocked as 101 miles per hour, earning his second save in as many games.

Mike Aguilara took the loss for the Sea Dogs, though he settled in well after the second inning, ultimately giving up the four runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out two.

Robby Scott was the lone arm Sea Dogs’ manager Billy McMillon used out of the bullpen, and he delivered two innings of scoreless relief, as well.

The Sea Dogs travel to Trenton next and open up a three-game series with the Thunder on Monday. The Sea Dogs will send righty Mike McCarthy to the mound against Trenton’s Matt Tracy.