Josh Zeid (1-1), Mike Cisco and Phillippe Aumont combined to limit the Portland Sea Dogs to just three hits, leading the Reading Phillies to a 2-0 win Friday night. Cody Overbeck had a sacrifice fly RBI in the first, and Tuffy Gosewisch hit a solo home run to provide the offense for the Phillies. Stolmy Pimentel (0-3) went five solid innings, but allowed both runs giving him the loss. The shutout stops the Sea Dogs win streak at three games.
Alex Hassan, Jorge Padron and Ryan Lavarnway were the only players to record hits for Portland. Hassan came in as the Eastern League's top hitter, batting .436. His sixth inning double gives him hits in 17 of the team's 18 games this season. Portland's best chance to score came in the top of the fourth inning against Zeid.
The righty walked Che-Hsuan Lin, who stole second. Then, Hassan walked to put runners on first and second with nobody out. Zeid got Tim Federowicz to fly out, but Lin was able to advance to third base, putting runners on first and third with only one out. Zeid got out of the jam by getting Lavarnway to pop out and Padron to fly out.
Pimentel was nearly as effective getting out of trouble. In the first inning, he walked leadoff man Freddy Galvis, then hit Michael Spidale. Matt Rizzotti would then advance both runners with a groundout. The next batter, Overbeck, hit a sacrifice fly before Pimentel rebounded to strike out Carlos Rivero, ending the inning. He also got out of a two on, one out jam in the fourth inning with a strikeout and a fly out.
The Sea Dogs continue their road trip and their series with the Phillies tomorrow. Stephen Fife will make his fourth start of the year opposite J.C Ramirez of Reading. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05pm. Portland heads to Trenton for a four-game series after Sunday afternoon's matchup with the R-Phils. The Sea Dogs return home for a three-game series with the New Britain Rock Cats starting May 6. That night will be a Fireworks night sponsored by U.S Cellular. Sunday, May 8th will be Portland's annual Mother's Day 5K Road Race. For tickets or road race registration information, log on to www.seadogs.com or call 207-879-9500. -PORTLAND SEA DOGS-
Wil Middlebrooks goes 3-4 with 2 HRs (Photo Jason Gendron/MESN)
It looked a little like Home Run Derby Thursday at Hadlock, as 4 different Sea Dogs batters went deep for 5 home runs, beating the Binghamton Mets 12-5.
Sea Dogs 3rd Baseman Wil Middlebrooks lead the HR barrage with 2 on the day, one in the 6th inning and one in the 8th inning.
Alex Hassan hit his 1st of the season in another ho hum 3-5 with a couple RBI. Hassan now leads the Eastern League in hitting with a .439 average.
Alex Wilson took the bump for the Sea Dogs and got 3rd win of the season. He offered up a blazing leadoff single to Mets Jordany Valdespin to start the game, but buckled down and struck out 2 to get out of the inning. Wilson spotted his 95 MPH fastball all day on his way to striking out 5 while allowing 5 hits and 1 earned run.
Ryan Lavarnway and Tim Federowicz finished off the HR brigade for the Sea Dogs.
Tejada with a huge 3 run HR (Photo Jason endron/Maine Sports Network)
It was all pitching through the first 5 innings at Hadlock Field. In the 6th inning, however, Oscar Tejeda decided it was a good time for his first home run of the season. Tejeda's 3-run
Maine Monster shot in the 6th, and Tim Federowicz' bases-clearing double in the 7th paced the Sea Dogs as they slammed the Binghamton Mets 8-2.
Michael Lee was on the mound for the Sea Dogs, looking for his first win of the season. He looked primed to get it after his best performance of the season. In 6 innings of work, he gave
up no runs on 2 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts. He threw 48 strikes on 72 pitches, and showed good efficiency as he worked farther into the game.
Binghamton's Mark Cohoon was matching Lee for the first 5 innings. he scattered 4 hits over 5 innings while striking out 4 batters. The wheels fell of for him in the 6th inning, however. After inducing Federowicz into a ground out, He allowed a double to Ryan Lavarnway off the bottom of the wall in center field. Chih-Hsien Chiang hit a fly ball to center to make it two outs. Cohoon walked Will Middlebrooks to put 2 men on with 2 outs. Tejeda then sent a pitch off a sign on top of the tall left-field wall to put the Sea Dogs on top.
The Sea Dogs looked even better at the plate in the 7th inning. Edgar Ramirez came on in relief of Cohoon, but he didn't last long. He walk the #9 hitter, Jon Hee to lead off the inning. A single by Che-Hsuan Lin and a walk by Alex Hassan then loaded the bases for Federowicz. The DH sent a liner past the scurrying left fielder to bring home all 3 baserunners, making it 6-0 Sea Dogs. That chased Ramirez after allowing 4 men to reach base without recording an out.
Roy Merritt relieved Ramriez, and quickly got Lavarnway and Chiang out. Middlebrooks then dropped a hit just inside the 3rd base line to bring home Federowicz. Tejeda blooped a single over a leaping 2nd baseman to plate Middlebrooks, making it 8-0 Sea Dogs in a rout. Ramirez got Ryan Dent to fly out to finally end the inning, as all 9 Sea Dogs batters went to bat in the inning.
Binghamton ended the shutout with Santo Luis pitching in relief in the 8th inning. After striking out Brahiam Maldonado to lead off the inning, Luis allowed a single by Carlos Guzman before walking Kai Gronauer and Allan Dykstra back-to-back on 4 pitches. With the bases loaded, #9 hitter Jordany Valdespin singled to right to bring home Guzman. Luis struck out Raul Reyes to get back on track, but gave up an infield hit to Josh Satin which scored Gronauer. Luis then struck out Eric Campbell to end the inning, and end a Binghamton comeback.
In the 9th inning Blake Maxwell came on in relief of Luis, and proceeded to allow a lead-off double to Michael Fisher. Fisher moved to 3rd on a 1-out single by Guzman. The comeback would never blossom as Gronauer grounded into a double-play to end the ballgame.
Lee picked up his first win of the season, and his first win in Double-A, to improve his record to 1-1. He also lowered his ERA to 4.26 after keeping the Mets scoreless in 6 innings.
Cohoon recorded his first loss of the season, as 6 innings was 1 too many for the left-hander.
Tejeda went 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs, to give him 9 on the season, to go along with his first home run. Fedreowicz went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs to give him 13 on the season and up his batting average to .345.
The two teams play game 3 of a 4-game series tomorrow at 6pm. Hopefully it will be a little drier than it was for the first two games of the series.
Stephen Fife sets down 10 in a row. (Photo Jason Gendron/MESN)
Portland starter Stephen Fife set down 10 Binghamton batters in a row at one point. Then came the 5th inning, when the Mets pushed across 3 runs, ending Fife's day. The Mets would score 2 more runs in the 8th inning to win 6-3 in the opening game of a 4-game series.
Fife came into the game with a 2-0 record, looking to make it 3-0. He had a tough time getting through the 1st inning, however, as he gave up 2 hits, a walk, a hit batsman, and a sacrifice fly. He then forced Jean Luc Blaquiere into a groundout to end the inning. he then would proceed
to throw straight 1-2-3 innings. it was the 5th inning that ultimately did him in. The first 3 batters got hits before he struck out Eastern League Player of the Week Josh Satin. he then hit Eric Campbell with a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing home Allan Dykstra. Manager Kevin Boles then lifted him from the game and Tommy Hottovy came on in relief. Hottovy gave up a wall-ball double to Michael Fisher that brought 2 more runs home before retiring the next 2 batters.
Portland would score runs in the 4th and 5th innings. In the 4th, the bottom of the order collected 3 hits in a row after Jorge Padron grounded out and Will Middlebrooks popped out. Oscar Tejeda, Mitch Dening, and Ryan Dent each singled off Binghamton starter Brandon Moore. Dent's hit drove home Tejeda, but Che-Hsuan Lin flew out to right to end the inning.
In the 5th inning Tim Federowicz hit a 1-out double off the bottom of the Maine Monster, as the Sea Dogs tried to match what the Mets had just done. Ryan Lavarnway popped out to short to make it 2 outs. Jorge Padron then picked up his second hit of the night to bring Federowicz, making it 4-2 Binghamton. Middlebrooks then struck out to end the inning.
The Sea Dogs had a prime chance to cut into the deficit in the 7th inning, as Lavarnway and Padron had back-to-back 2-out singles. However, Middlebrooks lined out to Campbell to end the inning, as Portland couldn't find a way to get that next hit to score runs.
Binghamton added some breathing room in the top of the 8th inning. Brahiam Maldonado led off with a home run over the Monster to make it 5-2. Raul Reyes then hit a broken-bat single to second base. Blaquiere's sacrifice bunt moved Reyes to second, and a balk by Seth Garrison moved him to third. Jordany Valdespin hit a bloop single to right to plate Reyes. Those 2 runs were the first given up by Garrison on the year.
The Sea Dogs went down swinging in the bottom of the 9th. Che-Hsuan Lin reached on a dropped ball by the first baseman to lead off the inning. Alex Hassan then hit a double to put runners at second and third. Federowicz struck out for the first out of the inning before Lavarnway hit a sacrifice fly to deep left to bring home Lin. Padron then struck out to end the game.
Fife's line was 4 1/3 innings pitched, 5 hits, 4 earned runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, and 2 hit batsmen.
Brandon Moore picked up his first won of the season, going 5 innings, with 7 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts.
Jesus Feliciano, Michael Fisher, and Allan Dykstra each had 2 hits for the Mets.
Jorge Padron went 3 for 5 with 3 singles and an RBI to pace the Sea Dogs. Hassan went 2 for 5 after going 0 for 5 in his last game.
The Portland pitchers combined for 7 strikeouts against only 1 walk.
The two teams play again tomorrow at 6pm for game 2 of this 4 game series. -WIL KRAMLICH-
It looked like a pitchers duel early on, as Stolmy Pimentel and Steve Hirschfeld both were dealing in the first three innings. Then the fireworks that were scheduled for after the game came a little early. New Britain scored 8 of their 9 runs between the 4th and 7th innings, and the Sea Dogs' rally in the ninth fell short as the Rock Cats won 9-7.
Pimentel looked to be fully in command early on, save for two hits that led to a run in the 2nd inning. Through three innings he had 2 strikeouts, 2 hits, 1 earned run, and no walks, while
throwing 24 of his 38 pitches for strikes. Then the 4th inning came, and it all fell apart. He walked the first two batters, each on 5 pitches, before Ray Chang and Yangervis Solarte hit and RBI single and double, respectively. Mark Dolenc's sacrifice fly made it 3 runs in the inning, giving New Britain a 4-1 lead after 3 1/2 innings.
Hirschfeld looked even better for the Rock Cats. He struck out 4 of the first 7 batters he faced, catching both Will Middlebrooks and Oscar Tejeda looking with two men and no one out in the 2nd. He allowed an RBI double to Ryan Lavarnway in the 3rd, but through three innings he looked like he had the best of the Portland offense. He also ran into trouble in the 4th inning. Jorge Padron and Middlebrooks had a double and a single, respectively to lead off the inning. After Tejeda was safe on a fielder's choice and Chih-Hsien Chiang popped out to short, Ryan Dent
came up to bat and things got a little weird. A wild pitch plated Padron, and the other runners advanced as well. Dent got to a full count, then hit a sacrifice fly to left to bring home Middlebrooks. Che-Hsuan Lin drew a full count walk, but Alex Hassan grounded out to end the inning.
New Britain would add two runs each in the 5th and 6th innings, off Pimentel and reliever Jeremy Kehrt. The Sea Dogs added a run in the 5th, as Chiang singled to second with the bases loaded and two outs after reliever Spencer Steedley walked three batters. That chased Steedley after only 2/3 of an inning. Santos Arias got Dent to ground out to end the inning.
The Rock Cats added an insurance run in the 7th, as Daniel Rohlfing singled home Deibinson Romero with two outs. That pushed the score to 9-4 at the 7th-inning stretch.
The Sea Dogs went to bat in the bottom of the 9th with nothing to lose and gave it all they had. After Alex Hassan grounded out leading off to complete his 0-for-5 night, Tim Federowicz drew a full-count walk. Lavarnway then provided some early fireworks, sending a Jake Stevens pitch over the wall in right-center. That made it 9-6 New Britain. Padron grounded out to the pitcher to put the Sea Dogs down to their last out. Middlebrooks singled to shallow left to give the fans some hope. Oscar Tejeda then doubled him home to cut the deficit to two. Stevens was replaced by Tyler Robertson, who had to face Chiang, who represented the tying run. A wild pitch moved Tejeda to second, but Chiang struck out swinging with a full count to end the game.
Arias picked up the win, pitching 2 1/3 innings with 1 hit, no runs, and 2 strikeouts. Pimentel took the loss to go to 0-2 on the young season. In 4 1/3 innings, he gave up 6 runs on 6 hits, with 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. He finished with 39 strikes on 72 pitches. Robertson picked up his third save of the season after striking out Chiang, the only batter he faced.
Ray Chang and Yangervis Solarte led the Rock Cat offense. Chang went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs and a run, and Solarte went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs.
Lavarnway went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs, and a walk. Middlebrooks also went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored. Hassan's 0-fer night ended a hot start to the season, and dropped his batting average down to a "miniscule" .408.
The teams play the rubber game of the series tomorrow afternoon at 1pm.
Huntzinger gets 1st AA win (Photo Noah Whittenburg/MESN)
Brock Huntzinger picked-up his first Double-A win and Alex Hassan extended his hitting streak, leading the Portland Sea Dogs to 5-1 win over the New Britain Rock Cats Thursday night at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs improve to a 5-7 record before a crowd of 3,499.
Huntzinger (1-2) held the New Britain offense to one run on four hits over five innings, recording one strikeout and did not allow a walk, earning his first Double-A win. The lone blemish came in the fourth inning when Chris Parmelee blasted a homerun to right field.
The Sea Dogs bullpen would provide outstanding relief, tossing four shutout innings allowing just one hit and two walks. Seth Garrison tossed two scoreless frames extending his scoreless streak to 9.1 innings; he has not allowed a run in five appearances this season. Santo Luis would add two scoreless innings of relief to close out the game.
Portland's offense went to work early scoring two runs in the first inning. The Sea Dogs loaded the bases with nobody out when Ryan Lavarnway drew a walk to score Che-Hsuan Lin. Portland added a run when Tim Federowicz scored on a wild pitch.
In the fourth inning, Alex Hassan ripped a double down the right-field line scoring Jon Hee. Hassan has hit safely in all 12 games this season and leads the league in hitting with a .455 average (20-for-44). Hassan would score following a single by Federowicz and a throwing error by New Britain third baseman Ray Chang. Lavarnway added a RBI single scoring Federowicz to cap the scoring.
Bobby Lanigan (1-2) suffers the loss surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings of work.
The Portland Sea Dogs will continue the series with the New Britain Rock Cats on Friday at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field. Stolmy Pimentel (0-1) will start for the Sea Dogs. He will be opposed by New Britain righty Steve Hirschfield (1-0). The first fireworks show of the season is slated for after the game, presented by Oxford Networks.
Some pitchers are blessed with a great curve ball. Others can throw fastballs in the high 90's. Kyle Fernandes has another gift: He can grow a mustache like no one else.
"As you'll see, my facial hair tends to grow pretty quick," said Fernandes when the first mention of his 'stache was mentioned.
Fernandes, the Westport, Massachusetts native, isn't going to be listed high on Baseball America's prospect lists. You won't hear sports talk radio saying that "A healthy Kyle Fernandes will save this bullpen."The lefty reliever still plays an important role in this organization, that of experienced minor league veteran and clubhouse clown.
"I think that's why they keep me around," said Fernandes about his clubhouse antics, only half-jokingly. "Being a clubhouse guy is my first job."
Everyone has worked with people who weren't alot of fun, but most of use don't have to travel on long bus rides with them or room with them on the road. Kevin Millar's place in Red Sox lore will be made forever due to his role as clubhouse guy. In the minors, when guys aren't making major league-type and some guys are finding out they might have to do other things with their life other than play baseball for a living, it's even more important to have some one to lighten the load.
"I try to talk to everyone (in the clubhouse)," said Fernandes. "I don't care. It's a long season, and it's not as long when everyone is having fun."
There are alot of things that can be done to ease the tension, whether it's putting together talent shows, roasting the manager and minor league catching instructor, or finding ways to keep warm in the bullpen.
"There aren't any heaters (out in the pen), so we're stuck doing one thing out in the bullpen, and that's cuddling," laughed Fernandes. "Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do."
During his interview, he was missing a meeting on the field with the rest of his teammates. This seems to be something he's used to.
"I'm the media guy, I'll do videos, maybe try to get into acting said Fernandes. "I know I'm probably still here for the things I do in the clubhouse. It's still fun, and if ever stops being fun, I'll have to do something else."
If all else fails, he could be a radio guy. Or a professional mustache grower.
Alex Wilson got his 1st taste of failure this season, giving up 5 earned runs, 4 in the 1st. Wilson showed his toughness even though he lasted only 3 innings.
After getting out number one in the 1st inning, Wilson allowed back to back singles. The big blow of the inning came as Brahiam Maldonado slammed a 3 run home run to make it 3-0 Mets. Wilson gave up another run in the inning.
The Sea Dogs got a couple back in the 3rd, but Mets pitcher Mark Cahoon was dominant all night, striking out 11. Ryan Dent got things going for the Dogs with a double. Che-Hsuan Lin singled home Dent in the next at bat. Red Hot Alex Hassan, who extended his hitting streak to all 11 games so far this season, got the bat on the ball, allowing Lin to score on an infield error.
A solo HR for Binghamton made the score 5-2 and Binghamton pitching took over the rest of the way.
As this Sea Dogs team does, they rallied in the 9th, putting a little pressure on the Mets. Alex Hassan walked to open the Dogs 9th and moved to 2nd on a passed ball. After Tim Federowicz flied out, Ryan Lavarnway walked. After a pitching change for the Mets, Jorge Pardon grounded Lavarnway into a force out, but moved Hassan to 3d. Will Middlebrooks singled home the final run of the night, making it 5-3 Mets. Oscar Tejada grounded out, ending the Sea Dogs threat in the 9th.
The Sea Dogs return home tomorrow night, game time 6PM
Tim Federowicz had three hits including a double with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. However, the Binghamton Mets got Ryan Lavarnway to fly out to centerfield with two men on and two outs to escape with a 6-5 win over the Portland Sea Dogs Monday night. Josh Satin hit a three-run home run and Jesus Feliciano had a two-run single to pace the Mets offense in the victory.
After a thirty minute rain delay to start the game, Binghamton was first to strike as Satin took Portland starter Michael Lee (0-1) deep with two outs in the third inning. Feliciano would add two out, two-run base hit in the fourth after Lee had been removed in favor of Caleb Clay. The Sea Dogs would get almost all the way back in the fourth inning.
After retiring thirteen of the first fourteen batters he faced, Mets' starter Brandon Moore allowed five straight singles to Portland hitters, cutting the deficit to 5-2. Ricky Brooks (1-1) came in and Federowicz smacked a two-run single to get his team within a run. Unfortunately, Binghamton would add an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning to make it a two run game.
After a couple of scoreless innings, the Sea Dogs made one final surge in the ninth inning. Mets closer John Lujan got the first two outs in routine fashion. Then, Che-Hsuan Lin singled and took second base on defensive indifference. That gave Alex Hassan an opportunity to continue his season-opening hit streak. The left fielder came through with an RBI single and kept the door open until Lujan got Lavarnway to fly out.
The Sea Dogs will take on the Mets in the second of a three-game series tomorrow. Alex Wilson (2-0) hopes to pick up his third win in as many starts. Lefty Mark Cohoon (0-0) has pitched well, but is still looking for his first victory of 2011. Portland returns home for seven games with the Rock Cats and Mets. April 22nd will be the first Fireworks night of the year, sponsored by Oxford Networks. The first one thousand fans on April 27th will receive a Jon Lester bobblehead. You can buy tickets in person, over the phone at 207-879-9500, or you can buy online at www.seadogs.com. -PORTLAND SEA DOGS-
Alex Hassan looks like he made the right decision accepting a switch from a pitcher to outfielder. Hassan continued his hot hitting, going 3-4 two doubles, 3 RBI and a walk, to help the Portland Sea Dogs beat the New Britain Rock Cats (AA Affiliate of Minnesota Twins) ------.
Stephen Fife got a no decision, but allowed 3 earned runs and struck out 3 on the way to another strong outing. Fife allowed a single run in the bottom of the 2nd, but his offense gave him a cushion to work with.
After Oscar Tejada opened the inning with a groundout, SS Ryan Dent doubled to right. OF Mitch Dening singled home Dent to tie the score at one. Che-Hsuan Lin was hit by a pitch and up came hot hitting Hassan.
Hassan promptly plated Dening and Lin with a blazing double to left for his 7 and 8th RBI of the year. Ryan Lavarnway finished the scoring for the Sea Dogs in the inning with a blast, his 1st HR of the year.
The Sea Dogs offense got going again in the 6th when Rock Cats starter Brett Jacobson was replaced by Liam Hendriks. Dogs catcher Tim Federowicz rudely greeted Hendriks with a shot to right for a 6-3 lead and Tim's 2nd HR of the season. Jorge Pardon walked and Will Middlebrooks doubled, moving Pardon to 3rd. Tejada then delivered Pardon with a single through the infield, while Middlebrooks moved to 3rd. Dent knocked in Middlebrooks on a FC groundout. Sea Dogs lead 8-3 at that point.
Sea Dogs pitcher Jeremy Kehrt replaced Fife in the bottom of the 6th and was greeted by a Chris Parmalee homer to right. Kehrt, who has been dazzling in relief for the Sea Dogs, got into trouble in the 7th allowing 2 more runs to score.
The Sea Dogs took total control in the 9th, scoring 3 on a Dening homer, Hassan's 2nd double and a sacrifice by Pardon.
Ryan Lavarnway knocked in only Sea Dos run Friday (Photo Jason Gendron)
The Portland Sea Dogs got five excellent innings from starter Stolmy Pimentel (0-1), but the New Britain Rock Cats battled back and walked off with a 2-1 win Friday afternoon. Steve Singleton knocked in the game-winning run with a single off Blake Maxwell (0-1) in the bottom of the ninth inning. Maxwell surrendered the game-tying run on a double by Chris Parmelee the previous inning.
Pimentel looked much more confident in his second career Double-A outing. After lasting just three innings last Saturday against Reading, the 21-year old took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and allowed just three baserunners total. He also took on adversity well, getting out of a jam with two runners on and only one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Pimentel left the game in line to earn his first Double-A win. Ryan Lavarnway singled in the only Portland run of the game following a Jorge Padron double. Alex Hassan (Hass-un) singled in the ninth inning to keep his season-long eight game hit streak alive. Unfortunately, Lavarnway would ground into a double play, stifling a potential rally.
New Britain tied the game with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Ray Chang beat out a double play ball, giving Parmelee the opportunity to drive in the tying run. The same scenario happened in the ninth as Mark Dolenc beat a possible double play down the line. The next batter, Singleton, would deliver the game-winning hit.
Tommy Hottovy came in to pitch the sixth and seventh innings for the Sea Dogs. He retired the first five batters he faced before allowing a single to Yangervis Solarte. That hit ended a run of 29 straight batters retired by Portland relievers. The run scored off Maxwell marked the first time Portland's bullpen allowed a run in ten innings.
The Sea Dogs will take on the Rock Cats tomorrow in the third of this four-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm. Stephen Fife (1-0) makes his second start of the year against Liam Hendricks (0-0) of New Britain. The Portland road trip continues this week with three games in Binghamton. The Sea Dogs then return home for a seven game swing with the Rock Cats and Mets. April 22nd will be the first Fireworks night of the year, sponsored by Oxford Networks. You can buy tickets in person, over the phone at 207-879-9500, or you can buy online at www.seadogs.com
Eammon Portice and Seth Garrison combined to throw five and one-third perfect innings of relief, but the Portland Sea Dogs offense fell short in a 6-2 loss to the New Britain Rock Cats Thursday night. Bobby Lanigan (1-1) tossed six innings giving up just five hits and one earned run to grab his first win of the season. The Rock Cats have now won five in a row since starting the season 1-2.
Brock Huntzinger (0-2) was knocked around in his second career Double-A start. After giving up six runs in his debut last week, the Anderson, Indiana native only lasted two and two-thirds innings and gave up seven hits and five earned runs for his second loss of the year. Portice came in and retired ten straight New Britain batters to stem the tide. Then Garrison stymied the Rock Cats over the final two innings, but the Sea Dogs offense couldn't get anything going against Lanigan or Cole DeVries, who picked up his first save.
Alex Hassan (Hass-un) had two walks and single to keep his seven-game hitting streak alive. Hassan is now 13-for-26 (.500) through his first seven games with Portland. After former Sea Dog Ray Chang blasted a solo shot as part of a two-run first inning, Middlebrooks cracked his second round-tripper of the season in the top of the second to cut the lead to 2-1.
New Britain would pile on four more runs and chase Huntzinger in the bottom half of the third inning. Joe Benson smacked a two-run double, part of his 3 RBI night, as part of the rally. Portland added another score in the top half of the fifth. Oscar Tejeda led off with a double, moved to third on a single by Ryan Dent, then scored on a passed ball against Rock Cats catcher Allan de San Miguel.
The Sea Dogs will take on the Rock Cats in the second of their four-game series tomorrow at 12:05pm. Stolmy Pimentel (0-1) will make his second Double-A start against Steve Hirschfeld (1-0) of New Britain. The road trip continues with three games in Binghamton before the Sea Dogs return home for seven games with the Rock Cats and Mets. The first Fireworks show of the year will take place April 22nd and is sponsored by Oxford Networks. For tickets call 207-879-9500 or log on to www.seadogs.com.
-PORTLAND SEA DOGS-
The Portland Sea Dogs have announced that tonight's game against Trenton has been postponed due to weather. If you have tickets for the game you can use them for another future Sea Dogs home game.
Portland hits the road for seven games starting tomorrow night in New Britain for a 4 game series against the Rock Cats.
Alex Wilson 6 strong innings to go 2-0 (Photo Jason Gendron)
Somtimes things just seem to click for a team. Something certainly clicked for the Sea Dogs tonight, getting a hit from every batter and allowing only two from Trenton in a 7-0 win over the Thunder. Alex Wilson had a second straight solid outing, and Alex Hassan continued his hot start for the Sea Dogs.
It was scoreless for the first 3 1/2 innings of the game, as Wilson confused the Trenton hitters, and the Sea Dogs offense couldn't find third base. Then came the bottom of the fourth, and someone turned the light switch to ON for the Portland offense. Chih-Hsien Chiang led off with a single to center. Will Middlebrooks did the same. Oscar Tejeda doubled to right to bring home Chiang and give Portland the lead. Jon Hee then doubled to left to plate Middlebrooks and Tejeda. After Mitch Dening struck out, Hassan doubled to left to bring home Hee and knock out Trenton starter Steve Garrison. Tim Federowicz would ground out, moving Hassan to third. Jorge Padron would then single on a line drive to left, scoring Hassan and completing the scoring in the innning.
Wilson threw 52 strikes on 75 pitches, and faced only four batters over the minimum. He struck out 5 with only one walk and improved to 2-0 on the young season.
The Sea Dogs added to their lead in the sixth inning. Hee lead off with a full count walk. Dening then lined a ball down the right field line for a double, moving Hee to third. Hassan singled to left to bring home Hee and move dening to third. Federowicz grounded out to second, but drove home Dening in the process to. Trenton pitcher Cory Arbiso then got both Padron and Ryan Lavarnway to ground out to stop the bleeding.
Jeremy Kehrt came on in relief for Wilson and shut down any hope of a Trenton comeback. The right-hander struck out 2 with one walk and no hits over 3 innings for his first save of the year.
Hassan went 3 for 5 in the game, with one runa nd 2 RBIs. He is batting an even .500 through the season's first six games, with at least one hit in every game.
Jon Hee went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs, and a walk.
Brad Suttle was the only Thunder batter to figure out the Sea Dogs pitching, going 2 for 2 and getting hit by a pitch before being replaced by Yadil Mujica in the seventh inning.
The two teams face off in the rubber game of the series tomorrow at 6pm, weather permitting. After that the Sea Dogs will go on the road for the first time this season, where they will face New Britain and Binghamton.
New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski throws 1st pitch (Photo Jason Gendron)
It was Red Sox-Yankees, Double-A style as the Portland Sea Dogs hosted the Trenton Thunder. The teams wore the uniforms of their respective big league clubs in a "Turn Ahead the Clock" game. The Yankees hope that clock turns quickly for starting pitcher Manny Banuelos. The top prospect took the mound to start the game for the Thunder, and he didn't disappoint. The lefty threw 4 scoreless innings of 4-hit ball with one walk and one strikeout. He threw 40 strikes on 66 pitches.
The starting pitcher for the Sea Dogs, Michael Lee pitched well in his Double-A debut. The tall righty pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up one run on 3 hits, striking out 4 and walking only one batter. Lee's only mistake was a Leadoff home run by Melky Mesa in the second inning.
The Thunder extended their slim lead to 2-0 after back-to-back doubles to start the sixth off of reliever Tommy Hottovy. Hottovy then proceeded to strike out the next three batters. In total, Sea Dogs pitchers had 13 strikeouts to only 6 hits.
The Sea Dogs would cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ryan Lavarnway lead off with a single down the left field foul line, and moved to second on a single by Jorge Padron. Will Middlebrooks flied out to deep right field, allowing Lavarnway to move to third. Oscar Tejeda hit a single threw the left side of the infield to put the Sea Dogs on the board.
Santo Luis replaced Hottovy with two outs in the seventh, and proceeded to dominate the Thunder offense. Luis struck out five Trenton batters over the next 2 1/3 innings without giving up a hit. This gave the Sea Dogs a chance to get back in it.
Luck bounced the Sea Dogs way in the bottom of the ninth. Che-Hsuan Lin lead off with a bouncing ball to the pitcher, and advanced to second on an errant throw to first base. After Alex Hassan struck out, Tim Federowicz hit a bloop single to shallow right on full count pitch, plating Lin. Jon Hee pinch-ran for Federowicz, and stole second to on Lavarnway's strikeout to get into scoring position. However, Padron would line out to right to send the game to extra innings.
The extra inning was just too much for Luis, as he walked 3 of the first 4 batters in the inning. Cody Johnson stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a sacrifice fly deep to left that easily scored Austin Krum.
Thunder lefty reliever Naoya Okamoto entered in the bottom of the 10th, and got both Middlebrooks and Tejeda to ground out to third base. Ryan Dent singled up the middle to give the Sea Dogs some life, but Mitch Dening struck out looking to end the game.
Fernando Hernandez picked up the win after blowing the save in the ninth. Okamoto picked up his first save of the season for the Thunder.
Luis took the loss for the Sea Dogs, and did it without allowing a hit, but three walks did him in.
Lavarnway started off the game 3 for 3 with 3 singles, but struck out in his last two at-bats. Oscar Tejeda and Che-Hsuan Lin both went 2 for 4, with Tejeda getting an RBI.
The two teams play game 2 of their 3-game series tomorrow at 7pm. -Wil Kramlich-
Alex Hassan, first Player of the Week for 2011. (Photo Jason Gendron)
Quincy, Massachusetts native and Duke Blue Devil Alex Hassan takes home the 1st Hadlock Headlines Player of the Week for week ending April 10th 2011.
Hassan, a right handed hitter and thrower, was converted to strictly outfielder by the Red Sox after a successful stint in the Cape Cod League. Alex was a two way player at Duke, where he was the left fielder and closer for the Blue Devils.
Hassan had a great week starting with Opening Day, going 2-3 with 2 RBI. He finished the Phillies series going 8-14, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SB .571 AVG/.611 OBP/1.182 OPS. Another number that jumps out, he hit .750 with RISP. Put that all together, and well deserved Hadlock Headlines Player of the Week.
Stephen Fife and 2 others shut out Reading 2 - 0 Sunday (Photo Jason Gendron)
Stephen Fife, Seth Garrison and Blake Maxwell combined to hold the Reading Phillies to just 5 hits and the shutout win 2 - 0.
Fife lead the way with 5 strong, efficient innings, only giving up 3 hits. Fife spotted his 91-92 MPH fastball all day, working ahead in most counts. Fife said after the game he had "some cut" to his 4 seam fastball "for whatever reason", but got a lot of contact and a lot of outs with it.
Will Middlebrooks, who went 4-4 Saturday, followed up that performance with a 1 - 3 day, including a leadoff triple to the left center gap. Middlebrooks, between Saturday and Sunday went six straight at bats with single, single, home run, double, double and the triple. With Middlebrooks on 3rd, Wil Vasquez went after the 1st pitch fastball offered by Phillies losing pitcher Kissock, and promptly sacrificed Middlebrooks home for the Sea Dogs 2nd run of the game.
Alex Hassan continued his hot streak, going 2 for 3, scoring the Dogs 1st run of the day. Hassan, the Massachusetts native, is now 8-14 for a .571 average.
The Sea Dogs stay right here for the next series, as they face the New York Yankees AA affiliate, Trenton Thunder Monday through Wednesday. Monday night the two teams will wear the MLB uniforms of the Boston Red Sox and Yankees in Turn the Clock Ahead night at Hadlock.
Stolmy Pimentel made his AA debut in Portland Saturday (Photo by Jason Gendron)
The Portland Sea Dogs got off to a slow start Saturday, and never recovered. The Reading Phillies powered their way to a 13-5 victory.
Boston Red Sox top prospect Stolmy Pimentel got his 1st start at the AA level Saturday. He struggled to find control, giving up a HR to the second batter of the day for the Phillies. Pimentel fought back and returned for 2 more innings, finishing with a line of 3 IP, 6H 5R 5ER 3BB 1K.
The Sea Dogs relief efforts proved more of the same as they gave up 8 more runs. On the day, Sea Dogs pitchers gave up 8 doubles and 3 HRs in the 13-5 rout.
Sox prospect Oscar Tejada got his bat going by getting his 1st AA hit and RBI all at once. With catcher Tim Federowicz on second, Tejada doubled in the right field gap scoring Federowicz.
Will Middlebrooks had a great day at the plate, going 4-4 with a HR and 2 doubles and 3 RBI.
The Sea Dogs finish off the Phillies series with a 1PM game today at Hadlock. Steven Fife goes for the Sea Dogs.
PHOTO GALLERY
GAME HIGHLIGHTS ON US CELLULAR SEA DOGS RADIO NETWORK
OSCAR TEJEDA DURING FIELDING PRACTICE (Photo Jeff Schools)
The Sea Dogs couldn't find much offense for the first eight innings of the game, and a comeback attempt in the bottom of the ninth fell short, as the Reading Phillies held on for a 7-5 win.
Austin Hyatt held the Portland offense in check over five innings of work, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits. Chris Frey and Cody Overbeck each hit home runs for the Phillies to lead an attack that knocked Portland starter Brock Huntzinger out after only 3 2/3 innings. Hutzinger struggled to fool Reading's bats, and plunked Freddy Galvis in the head in the first inning. Galvis had to leave the game, and was taken to the hospital for observation.
Tim Federowicz scored on an Alex Hassan single in the 5th, and then added a solo home run over the Maine Monster in the 7th to score the first two runs for the Sea Dogs. A Will Middlebrooks single to leadoff the 9th started the rally for Portland. After Federowicz struck out swinging, Ryan Dent singled and Che-Hsuan Lin walked to load the bases. Hassan's grounder to first brought home Middlebrooks, and Jorge Padron's single to center drove in two more runs. Ryan Lavarnway represented the tying run with two outs, but a bloop grounder to Reading first baseman Matt Rizzotti unceremoniously ended the game.
Hassan went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs, and Federowicz went 2 for 3 with 2 runs, an RBI and a walk.
Hyatt picked up the win, the first for the Phillies on the young season. Hutzinger took took the loss for Portland after giving up 6 runs on 8 hits. The two teams face off in the third game of the four game series tomorrow afternoon at 1pm.
Alex Hassen went 2-3 in his 1st game with the Sea Dogs (Photo Jason Gendron)
It didn't take six games for the Portland Sea Dogs to get their first win of the season. In fact, it only took one, as the Sea Dogs beat the Reading Phillies 4-3 in their season opener at Hadlock Field. Alex Wilson pitched an efficient game to get the win, and Seth Garrison and Blake Maxwell combined to give up only three hits over the final four innings for Portland.
Wilson got off to a hot start, hitting 94 mph on the radar and allowing only one hit over the first two innings. Wilson needed only 9 pitches to get through the second. Chih-Hsien Chiang's one-out double in the second was the first hit of the season for the Sea Dogs. After top-prospect Oscar Tejeda struck out swinging, Will Middlebrooks drove home Chiang to put Portland on the board first.
Wilson stumbled into trouble in the third inning, allowing base hits to four of the first five batters he faced. Carlos Rivero and Derrick Mitchell scored on Freddy Galvis' bases loaded single. Wilson would get Harold Garcia to ground into an inning-ending double play to prevent any further damage.
Second Baseman Ryan Dent started off the bottom of the inning with a single up the middle. He would move to second base with a steal, then to third on a wild pitch. Dent would score the tying run on an Alex Hassan single.
After a 1-2-3 fourth for Wilson, the Sea Dogs would retake the lead. Chiang would reach base with a leadoff single, and move to second on his first stolen base of the season. Tim Federowicz would bring Chiang home on a single to left field.
Wilson was looking for his second straight spotless inning until Tuffy Gosewisch hit the first home run of the season at Hadlock. A Chris Frey flyout would end the inning and the night for WIlson.
The Sea Dogs would take back the lead for the third and final time in the bottom of the fifth As Che-Hsuan Lin tripled to leadoff, then scored on an Alex Hassan sacrifice fly.
Seth Garrison got the Hold after allowing only two hits and a walk with two strikeouts over two innings. Blake Maxwell, the Sea Dogs mustached reliever, got the six-out Save, with a walk and a strikeout over the final two innings. Wilson threw 78 pitches, with 51 for strikes as he picked up the win. he allowed 3 earned runs on 6 hits with 3 strikeouts and no walks.
Josh Zeid took the loss for the Phillies after allowing 4 earned runs on 7 hits with a walk and 5 strikeouts.
Chiang went 3 for 3 from the plate with a walk and 2 runs scored, and Hassan went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs to lead the Sea Dogs offense.
Game 2 of the 4-game series will be tomorrow night at 6pm. -Wil Kramlich-
Opening Day at Hadlock tonight a 6PM as the Sea Dogs take on the Reading Phillies. The Maine Sports Network an Hadlock Headlines will be there as always with all the inside scoop! Pre Game audio, Post Game audio, photos and a live blog!
Hadlock Headlines is also proud to announce that Mister Sparky, America's On Time Electrician will be the photography sponsor yet again! Thanks to Shawn, Joe and everyone at Mister Sparky Portland for their continued support of what the Maine Sports Network brings to the sports fans of Southern Maine!
The Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, have announced 24 year-old pitcher Alex Wilson as the opening day starter. The right-hander will take the mound for the 2011 season opener on Thursday, April 7th at 6:00 PM against the Reading Phillies (Philadelphia Phillies) at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs start the season with a seven game homestand, April 7th- April 13, against Reading and the Trenton Thunder (New York Yankees).
Wilson, the 19th ranked Boston prospect according to Baseball America, returns to Portland after recording a 4-5 record with the squad in 2010 after being promoted from Single-A Salem. Baseball America also rates Wilson as having the "Best Slider" in the farm system. He was selected in the 2nd round of the 2009 First-year Player Draft by Boston out of Texas A&M. In 2008, Wilson was picked by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round, returned to college for his junior year.
Reading right-hander Josh Zeid is scheduled pitch for the Phillies on opening night against Wilson. After Wilson, Portland will pitch right-handers Brock Huntzinger, Stolmy Pimentel, and Stephen Fife to round out the Sea Dogs rotation. Huntzinger recorded a 7-8 record with Salem in the Carolina League in 2010. 21 year-old Pimentel, the 6th ranked prospect in the organization, will get the ball in game three. Fife, an Eastern League All Star with the Sea Dogs in 2010, will pitch the final game of the series.
The probable pitching matchups for the Reading series in Portland:
April 7th: RHP Alex Wilson (POR) vs. RHP Josh Zeid (RDG) April 8th: RHP Brock Huntzinger (POR) vs. RHP Austin Hyatt (RDG) April 9th: RHP Stomly Pimentel (POR) vs. LHP Ryan Edell (RDG) April 10th: RHP Stephen Fife (POR) vs. RHP Chris Kissock (RDG)
The Maine Sports Network is pleased to announce or Hadlock Headlines content will once again be featured on Jerry Remy's Remy Report Website. Jerry Remy, of course, is the one of the voices of the Boston Red Sox on NESN and is owner of Jerry Remy's Restaurant just adjacent to Fenway Park in Boston.
Last year was a great success, as we had Jerry on The Weekend Warm Up Presented by Mister Sparky America's On Time Electrician, had Red Sox ticket giveaways and much more! Look for 2011 to be more of the same!
