PORTLAND — When last we saw left hander Kason Gabbard leave the Hadlock Field pitcher’s mound, it was the last day of June, and he had just been pulled after being pummeled by the New Britain Rock Cats.

Six weeks and a reclamation stint with Short Season Lowell later, not much has changed for the former big leaguer.

Wednesday, Gabbard lasted just three innings in the 18-1 drubbing administered by the Reading Phillies before 7,318 at Hadlock Field, in what was the most lopsided loss in the team’s 16-year history.

Not that all of it was Gabbard’s fault.

He left while the Phillies’ lead was “only” 9-0.

“I didn’t have to stay for the fireworks,” said Portland manager Arnie Beyeler, referring to the post-game pyro show that kept the ballpark from emptying out in the early innings. “I’ve already seen them.”

Gabbard is working his way back from reconstructive elbow surgery.

The elbow, he has said, is fine. His command, however, is still eluding him.

Wednesday, Gabbard was lit up for four runs in the first inning, and another in the second, after immersing himself into bases loaded, none out predicaments in both frames.

He was charged for four more runs in the fourth before departing with none out.

In all, Gabbard (0-4) allowed eight hits and seven walks, while registering just one strikeout.

“He did some good things tonight,” said Beyeler, pulling a whisp of silver lining out of the black cloud. “He threw some good breaking balls. He threw some good change ups. He made guys swing the bats.”

And swing they did. Sensing blood in the stream early on, the Phillies came out swinging and amassed 20 hits, including five doubles and a homer.

Every man in the Reading order hit safely at least once, and all starter registered at least one RBI.

“We just tried to be a tough out,” said Reading third baseman Neil Sellers. “One through nine, if we could be a tough out, then we could try to work the pitcher. We were trying to look for pitches to hit over the plate. That’s what we did.”

Then again, he could have been hurling like the Gabbard of old ”“ the one who went 9-2 with the Dogs back in 2006 ”“ and it might not have mattered.

Not with the Dogs’ bats falling silent after having plated nearly seven runs a game over the past week.

Portland mustered just five hits, one of them a solo shot by Luis Exposito in the bottom of the fifth.

Reading starter Yohan Flande (3-3) was perfect through three innings, and strong throughout his six innings of work.

Responding to a reporter’s comment that things couldn’t have gotten worse, Beyeler begged to differ.

“Yes it could have,” he said, managing a smile. “At least I didn’t have to use a position player (to pitch).”

CHIN MUSIC: Whether Gabbard, whose ERA ballooned to 20.77, will get another opportunity to work through his problems ”“ at least in Portland ”“ is an open question. His spot in the Dogs’ rotation may be taken by another lefty with severe control issues. Kris Johnson, a Sea Dog last year, has been demoted to Portland from Triple-A Pawtucket, where he went just 3-14”¦And while on the subject of rehabbing psyches, according to published reports Boston Red Sox right hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will make a tune up start with the Dogs on Aug. 29 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in Manchester. Asked for confirmation, Beyeler said, coyly, “that seems to be the way it works, but I can’t tell you that.””¦ Prior to Wednesday, the Dogs’ worst loss was the 16-0 whitewash handed them by the Norwich Navigators on May 1, 2004”¦ The teams will wind up their three-game set tonight (7:05 p.m.) by sending out highly regarded pitching prospects. Lefty Felix Doubront (7-4, 3.53) will get the call for Portland against Phillies RHP Kyle Drabek (7-2, 3.67).

— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.