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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Sea Dogs Slug Way To 12-5 Win, Split Doubleheader #redsox #portlandseadogs

The second game of the doubleheader between the Sea Dogs and the New Britain Rock Cats was a complete 180 of the first game. While the first game was a pitchers duel, the second game of the twin bill saw both teams bats come alive. Portland slugged out 12 runs on 14 hits, including a 7-run sixth inning. With the win, the Sea Dogs salvage a split of the doubleheader, and snap a six-game losing streak.

After going to extra innings to decide the outcome of the first game, the bats were anything but tired for the second. New Britain scored in the second inning to take an early 1-0 lead, as Nate Hanson led off with a single, moved to 2nd on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI single by Deibinson Romero. It took Portland starter Michael lee 42 pitches to get out of the inning, a scary number for a team with little help in the bullpen.

Matt Spring homered for the Sea Dogs in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at 1-1. It was Spring's 3rd homer of the year for Portland, all solo shots.

Lee looked shaky to start the third, giving up 3 straight doubles as new Britain took a 4-1 lead. Lee was up to 74 pitches through 3 innings.

The Sea Dogs came storming back in the bottom of the inning, knocking out Rock Cats starter Blake Martin. Martin failed to get an out, sandwiching a hit batsman around two singles, and allowing Mitch Dening to score. Jake Stevens came on in relief and immediately gave up the lead. Alex Hassan crushed a 3-run homer off the message board to give the Sea Dogs a 5-4 lead. It was Hassan's 7th homer of the year.

Caleb Clay would come on in relief of Lee in the fourth inning with two on and two outs. He would get Evan Bigley to strike out looking to end the inning.

The Rock Cats would tie the game back up in the sixth, making a second extra innings game a possibility. Brian Dozier singled with one out and moved to third on a single by Yangervis Solarte. Chris Parmalee hit a fly ball deep enough to left to score Dozier, and tie the game up at 5 runs apiece.

The Sea Dogs were determined to end this game on time, blasting Stevens and then Michael Tarsi. Stevens a single, a sac bunt fielders choice, and an RBI double by Ryan Khoury to end his outing. Tarsi came on in relief, and was anything but. He intentionally walked Hassan to load the bases, then gave up a bases-clearing triple to Chih-Hsien Chiang, making it 9-5. He would then give up 3 more hits, and 3 more runs, before finally getting 3 outs.

Clay pitched a 1-2-3 seventh to finish off the game, and picking up a much-needed win for the Sea Dogs.

The righty reliever picked up his first win of the year with the Sea Dogs, going 3 1/3 innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits, with 3 strikeouts and no walks.

Lee had a no decision, lasting 3 2/3 innings, giving up 4 runs on 9 hits, with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches, with 55 for strikes.

All three New Britain pitchers gave up 4 runs, splitting the guilt evenly. Stevens took the loss, his 3rd of the year.

The 2 through 6 hitters did the majority of the damage for Portland. They accounted for 12 of the 14 hits, and all of the RBIs.

Dening had a solid doubleheader, combing to go 4 for 7 with 3 runs scored.

Leadoff hitter Jeremy Hazelbaker on the other hand, had a rough twin-bill. He went 0 for 8, with 3 strikeouts, but did score 2 runs in the second game.

The two teams play at noon tomorrow to finish off the series. Stolmy Pimentel will be looking for his first win of the season, as he faces off against Bobby Lanigan.

Romero Homer Gives Cats 2-1 Win In Extras #redsox #portlandseadogs

A game that started with a pitchers duel ended in extra innings, with Deibinson Romero and the New Britain Rock Cats getting the last laugh in game 1 of a doubleheader. Romero homered off Kyle Fernandes to lead off the ninth inning to give New Britain a 2-1 lead. Tyler Robertson set the Sea Dogs down in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

The story early on was a pitchers duel between Portland starter Alex Wilson and New Britain's Liam Hendriks. No batter got past 2nd base until the third inning, when Mitch Dening scored on a bloop single by Alex Hassan. Through 5 innings, the two starters combined to give up 1 run on 9 hits, with 8 strikeouts and only 2 walks.

It all unraveled for Wilson in the sixth, as his pitch count was mounting. After getting two quick outs, Wilson gave up a walk, a double, and another walk to load the bases. He drew a full count on Romero, but walked him to bring home the tying run. It was the 106th and final pitch for Wilson, ending a strong outing on a down note.

Portland had a chance to retake the lead in the bottom of the sixth, but a couple mishaps doomed them. Alex Hassan led off the inning by hitting a dribbler down the 3rd base line. Hassan held up thinking it was a foul, but it stayed fair and New Britain got an easy out. Chih-Hsien Chiang then singled to left-center, and instead of two on, none out, it was one on, one out. Vladimir Frias came on to pinch-run for a hobbled Chiang, and had a blunder of his own. Tony Thomas doubled to the right field corner, a play which Frias should have easily scored on, but he paused at 2nd before making it to 3rd. Tim Federowicz was intentionally walked to load the bases, with only one out. Oscar Tejeda popped out in foul territory and Jorge Padron grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning, and the score stayed tied.

In the bottom of the seventh, with a chance to walk off with a win, Ryan Khoury struck out looking on a borderline pitch to send the game to extra innings. New Britain reliever Deoils Guerra would strand Frias at 2nd with back-to-back strikeouts to end the eighth, setting the stage for Romero's heroics.

Fernandes first pitch of the ninth was crushed over the Monster by Romero, breaking the tie and killing the Sea Dogs spirit. Jeremy Hazelbaker grounded out with a man on to end the game.

Wilson's final line: 5 2/3 innings, 5 hits, 1 run, 5 walks, 5 strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 2.82 and did not factor into the decision.

Hendriks lasted 6 innings, giving up 1 run on 7 hits, striking out 4, and only walking Federowicz intentionally.

Brian Dozier led New Britain with 3 hits, and Romero drove in both runs.

The Sea Dogs #9 spot had 3 hits, as Dening went 2 for 3, and Reynaldo Rodriguez had a pinch hit in the 9th.

Fernandes pitched 3 1/3 innings and picked up the loss, his 3rd of the year.

Guerra picked up the win, his 5th of the year, striking out 4 in 2 innings.

Tyler Robertson picked up his 9th save of the year, allowing just Rodriguez's single in 1 inning of work.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Cats Rock Tazawa, Dogs Lose 15-5

Junichi Tazawa did not have the start he was looking for (Photo Jeff Schools/MESN)
Pitching in Portland for the first time since 2009, there were many eyes on Sea Dogs starter Junichi Tazawa. Those eyes were quickly disappointed, as Tazawa was rocked, failing to make it out of the first inning. New Britain scored 8 runs in the first inning, and easily cruised to a 15-5 win in the opener of a 4-game series.

Tazawa looked nothing like the pitcher we saw in '09, when he starred for Portland and even had 4 starts with the Red Sox. A friendly floating curve doomed the righty, as he gave up 3 hits, 2 walks, and hit a batter, giving up 6 runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Reliever Miguel Gonzalez finished off the inning, but not before giving up 2 runs of his own. In all, 12 Rock Cat batters stepped to the plate in the first, making it very improbable for a Sea Dogs victory before they even got to swing the bat.

The Rock Cats would make sure the game was out of reach in the second inning, showing Gonzalez no mercy. Five of the first six batters of the inning recorded hits for New Britain, piling on 5 more runs to the lopsided score.

Chih-Hsien Chiang gave the home crowd something to cheer about in the bottom half of the inning, blasting a home run over the wall in right field. It was Chiang's 13th round-tripper of the year.

New Britain would score a single run in the fifth inning, this time off of Jeremy Kehrt. Brian Dozier led off with a single to right, and would score three batters later when Nate Hanson grounded into a double play. It was one of three double plays that the Sea Dogs induced in the losing effort.

Portland would score again in the sixth inning. Tim Federowicz singled off the monster with one out, then would move to second when Jon Hee singled up the middle two batters later. Federowicz would score on Jorge Padron's single, as Portland finally made Rock Cats starter Steve Hirschfeld look mortal.

New Britain's offense came to life again in the seventh, as the first four batters reached. Three runners crossed the plate in the inning, making it an astounding 15 runs for the Rock Cats.

Federowicz led off the bottom of the eighth with a home run over the monster, giving him 6 on the season. Ryan Khoury hit his first home run of the year, a 2-run monster shot in the ninth. Khoury's bomb nearly made it through the hole in the Sullivan Tire sign atop the wall, but fell just short.

Tazawa took the loss in his first Double-A start of the season. In just 2/3 of an inning, he gave up 6 runs on 3 hits, with 2 walks and a strikeout. He also had a hit batsman and a wild pitch among his 37 pitches.

Gonzalez lasted 2 1/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 10 hits, with no walks or strikeouts.

Kehrt was the ironman for the Sea Dogs, lasting 6 innings in relief to help save the Portland bullpen. He gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits, with 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts. He threw 80 pitches, with 52 for strikes.

Hirschfeld picked up the win, improving his record to 5-4. In 6 innings, he gave up 2 runs on 7 hits, with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. He threw 63 strikes on 98 pitches.

Every New Britain starter got a hit, as Chris Parmalee's 7th inning single rounded out the hit parade. Every starter crossed the plate at least once, and clean-up hitter Evan Bigley was the only one not to drive in a run.

The Sea Dogs did get a home run off every New Britain pitcher, showing some power to please the roughly 4,000 fans in attendance.

The game was televised by NESN, as the Sox had an off day to make the long (sarcastic) trek from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.

Sox owner John Henry was in attendance, and even took time to shake fans' hands for about half an hour at the gate.

The teams will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 6pm. Alex Wilson and Chris Balcom-Miller will take the mound for the Sea Dogs.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Jenks throws for #PortlandSeaDogs, Cats come away with 9-5 win. #redsox

Four swings decided Saturday night's game between the Portland Sea Dogs and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.  Unfortunately, the Fisher Cats had three of them and took the victory 9-5, clinching the series by winning the first two of three games.  The Sea Dogs will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon.

Bobby Jenks got the start for Portland, making a Major League Rehab appearance.  The righty pitched a scoreless first inning.  He allowed a leadoff single to Adeiny Hechavarria, but Tim Federowicz threw Hechavarria out trying to steal second base.  Then, Jenks struck out Anthony Gose and got Travis d'Arnaud to fly out.

Almost all of the New Hampshire runs came late via the long ball.  The Fisher Cats homered in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.  The three bombs lead to eight runs, the final eight scored in the game.  Yan Gomes cut a 5-1 Portland lead to 5-4 with a three-run shot off Stephen Fife in the sixth.  Mike McDade smacked a go-ahead two-run homer off Eammon Portice (1-3) in the seventh.  Then, d'Arnaud added a three-run insurance long ball in the eighth for the final margin.

The Sea Dogs snatched a four-run lead thanks to Chih-Hsien Chiang's second grand slam of the year.  It came with one out after New Hampshire starter Robert Ray loaded the bases with three walks.  One of the three went to Ryan Khoury who surpassed Jeff Corsaletti for the most free passes in franchise history with 137.  Oscar Tejeda also had an RBI single for Portland.

The Fisher Cats bullpen stonewalled the Sea Dogs offense for the second straight night.  Ronald Uviedo (2-2) and Yohan Pino combined to go three perfect innings to close out the game.  New Hampshire's bullpen has allowed just one baserunner  in the two games and hasn't given up a hit.

The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats will wrap their three-game series tomorrow afternoon.  Portland comes back to Hadlock Field on Monday for the start of an eight-game, seven-day homestand against the New Britain Rock Cats and the Fisher Cats.  Monday night's game will be broadcast on NESN.  Tuesday night will be a doubleheader against the Rock Cats, with Breakin' B-Boy McCoy providing entertainment throughout the night.  For tickets, log on to www.seadogs.com or call 207-879-9500.
-PORTLAND SEA DOGS-

Friday, June 24, 2011

Dog lose 6 - 2 Thursday at Hadlock

The Trenton Thunder (41-31) avoided a series sweep by defeating the Portland Sea Dogs 6-2 Thursday night at Hadlock Field.  The win snaps a three game win streak for the Sea Dogs as Portland falls to 25-44 on the season.

The Thunder scored four runs on four hits, a walk, and an error in the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead.  Jose Pirela got the scoring started with a RBI double.  Damon Sublett and Jose Gil each added a RBI single and DeAngelo Mack plated a run with a RBI ground out.  All of the damage came off Portland starter Chris Balcom-Miller (1-3) who suffered the loss.

Trenton starter Manny Banuelos did not allow a hit until the fifth inning when Matt Spring broke-up the no-hit bid and the shutout with a solo home run, his second of the year, to the Dunkin Donuts message center in left field.  Oscar Tejeda extended his season high hit streak to nine games with a bunt single and scored on Jeremy Hazlebaker's RBI single as Portland closed the gap to 4-2.

Banuelos (3-1) earned the win tossing five innings allowing two runs on three hits.  He walked one and struck out six.

Bradley Suttle added a two run double in the seventh off Jeremy Kehrt to extend the Trenton lead to 6-2 to complete the scoring.

Venditte pitched three scoreless innings of relief for Trenton scattering four hits and striking out four to preserve the Trenton lead.  Kei Igawa pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the game.

Alex Hassan and Spring were the only Sea Dogs with a multiple hit games.  Hassan was 2-for-3 raising his average to .330.

The Sea Dogs will not face the Yankees affiliate again this season, Portland finishes with a 5-12 against the Thunder in 2011.

The Sea Dogs begin a brief three game road trip to Manchester, New Hampshire on Friday at 7:05 PM against the Fisher Cats.  Right-handed pitcher Stolmy Pimentel (0-8, 9.42) will start for Portland.  The Fisher Cats will send right-hander Robert Ray (0-1, 5.91) to the mound.  The Sea Dogs will return to Hadlock Field for an eight game/ seven day homestand on Monday, June 27th at 7:00 PM.
-PORTLAND SEA DOGS-

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Middlebrooks and Chiang make 2011 XM All Star Futures Rosters #redsox #portlandseadogs

Rosters for the 13th annual XM All-Star Futures Game were announced today by Major League Baseball.

Portland Sea Dogs 3B Will Middlebrooks was named to the USA squad, while OF Chih-Hsien Chaing was named to the World squad.

The XM All-Star Futures Game features many of the top Minor League prospects in baseball. The game will begin at 6:00 p.m. (ET)/3:00 p.m. (local) and can be viewed live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and MLB.TV. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game on MLB Network Radio XM 89 in addition to its other comprehensive live coverage from Arizona. Taco Bell All-Star Sunday is the first of three days of All-Star events at Chase Field, culminating with the 82nd All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 12th.

Major League Baseball, in conjunction with the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, MLB.com, Baseball America and the 30 Major League Clubs, selected the 25-man rosters for each club, the U.S. Team and the World Team. Each Major League organization is represented and the World Team features players from 12 different countries and territories outside the 50 United States. Players from all full-season Minor Leagues were eligible to participate.

The XM All-Star Futures Game will last nine innings, and in the event of a tie, a 10th inning will be played. The game will not go longer than 10 innings, regardless of the score. Players and coaches will be outfitted in special XM All-Star Futures Game jerseys and will wear caps of their Major League organization with an XM All-Star Futures Game logo embroidered on the side.

The Minor League Baseball Umpires who will work the XM All-Star Futures Game are Ben May (home plate) of the Eastern League, Will Little (first base) of the Southern League, Jimmy Volpi (second base) of the Texas League and Scott Mahoney (third base) of the Eastern League.

Seventy-nine players have competed in both the XM All-Star Futures Game and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. In 2010, a record 38 Major League All-Stars were alumni of the XM All-Star Futures Game, surpassing the previous mark of 28 set in 2009. Seven players – Adam Dunn, Neftali Feliz, Jason Heyward, Francisco Liriano, Evan Longoria, Ben Sheets and Geovany Soto – appeared in the XM All-Star Futures Game and were named to the All-Star Game in the following season.

Tickets are still available for purchase for the XM All-Star Futures Game and Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game by visiting www.allstargame.com, calling 1-888-326-3378 or visiting the Diamondbacks box office at Chase Field.

The 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports, and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ET)/5:00 p.m. (local). ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the 2011 Midsummer Classic, while MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM will provide additional All-Star Game coverage. Sirius XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game, ESPN Radio’s coverage of the State Farm Home Run Derby and the 82nd All-Star Game, plus live pregame and postgame talk programs from all three events.

U.S. Team Roster



Pitchers (10)

Player (Organization) Bats-Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Cosart, Jarred (Phillies) R-R 6-3 180 5/25/1990 League City, TX Clearwater Threshers (Florida State League/A)

Gibson, Kyle (Twins) R-R 6-6 210 10/23/1987 Greenfield, IN Rochester Red Wings (International League/AAA)

Harvey, Matt (Mets) R-R 6-4 210 3/27/1989 New London, CT Binghamton Mets (Eastern League/AA)

Miller, Shelby (Cardinals) R-R 6-3 195 10/10/1990 Houston, TX Springfield Cardinals (Texas League/AA)

Moore, Matt (Rays) L-L 6-2 205 6/18/1989 Fort Walton Beach, FL Montgomery Biscuits (Southern League/AA)

Peacock, Brad (Nationals) R-R 6-1 175 2/02/1988 Miami, FL Harrisburg Senators (Eastern League/AA)

Pomeranz, Drew (Indians) R-L 6-5 230 11/22/1988 Memphis, TN Kinston Indians (Carolina League/A)

Skaggs, Tyler (D’Backs) L-L 6-4 195 7/13/1991 Woodland Hills, CA Visalia Rawhide (California League/A)

Thornburg, Tyler (Brewers) R-R 5-11 185 9/29/1988 Houston, TX Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Midwest League/A)

Turner, Jacob (Tigers) R-R 6-5 210 5/21/1991 St. Charles, MO Erie SeaWolves (Eastern League/AA)


Catchers (2)

Player (Organization) Bats/Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Mesoraco, Devin (Reds) R-R 6-1 220 6/19/1988 Dubois, PA Louisville Bats (International League/AAA)

Romine, Austin (Yankees) R-R 6-0 220 11/22/1988 Lake Forest, CA Trenton Thunder (Eastern League/AA)



Infielders (8)

Player (Organization) Bats/Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Arenado, Nolan (Rockies) R-R 6-1 205 4/16/1991 Newport Beach, CA Modesto Nuts (California League/A)

d’Arnaud, Chase (Pirates) R-R 6-1 200 1/21/1987 Torrance, CA Indianapolis Indians (International League/AAA)

Darnell, James (Padres) R-R 6-2 195 1/19/1987 Fresno, CA San Antonio Missions (Texas League/AA)

Goldschmidt, Paul (D’Backs) R-R 6-3 245 9/10/1987 Wilmington, DE Mobile BayBears (Southern League/AA)

Green, Grant (Athletics) R-R 6-3 180 9/27/1987 Fullerton, CA Midland Rockhounds (Texas League/AA)

Kipnis, Jason (Indians) L-R 5-11 185 4/03/1987 Evanston, IL Columbus Clippers (International League/AAA)

Machado, Manny (Orioles) R-R 6-3 185 7/06/1992 Miami, FL Frederick Keys (Carolina League/A)

Middlebrooks, Will (Red Sox) R-R 6-4 200 9/09/1988 Greenville, TX Portland Sea Dogs (Eastern League/AA)



Outfielders (5)

Player (Organization) Bats/Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Brown, Gary (Giants) R-R 6-1 190 9/28/1988 Diamond Bar, CA San Jose Giants (California League/A)

Harper, Bryce (Nationals) L-R 6-3 225 10/16/1992 Las Vegas, NV Hagerstown Suns (South Atlantic League/A)

Myers, Wil (Royals) R-R 6-3 205 12/10/1990 High Point, NC NW Arkansas Naturals (Texas League/AA)

Szczur, Matthew (Cubs) R-R 6-1 195 7/20/1989 Cape May, NJ Peoria Chiefs (Midwest League/A)

Trout, Mike (Angels) R-R 6-1 200 8/07/1991 Vineland, NJ Arkansas Travelers (Texas League/AA)













World Roster



Pitchers (10)

Player (Organization) Bats/Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Alvarez, Henderson (Blue Jays) R-R 6-1 195 4/18/1990 Valencia, Venezuela New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Eastern League/AA)

Hendriks, Liam (Twins) R-R 6-1 190 2/10/1989 Perth, Australia New Britain Rock Cats (Eastern League/AA)

Herrera, Kelvin (Royals) R-R 5-10 162 12/31/1989 Tenares, D.R. NW Arkansas Naturals (Texas League/AA)

Infante, Gregory (White Sox) R-R 6-2 215 7/10/1987 Caracas, Venezuela Charlotte Knights (International League/AAA)

Marinez, Jhan (Marlins) R-R 6-1 165 8/12/1988 Santo Domingo, D.R. Jacksonville Suns (Southern League/AA)

Martinez, Carlos (Cardinals) R-R 6-0 165 9/21/1991 Colinas Del Sur, D.R. Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League/A)

Paxton, James (Mariners) L-L 6-4 220 11/06/1988 Richmond, B.C., Canada Clinton Lumberkings (Midwest League/A)

Perez, Martin (Rangers) L-L 6-0 178 04/04/1991 Guanare Estado Portuquesa, Ven. Frisco Roughriders (Texas League/AA)

Teheran, Julio (Braves) R-R 6-2 175 1/27/1991 Cartagena, Colombia Gwinnett Braves (International League/AAA)

Vizcaino, Arodys (Braves) R-R 6-0 190 11/13/1990 Yaguate, D.R. Mississippi Braves (Southern League/AA)



Catchers (2)

Player (Organization) Bats/Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Rosario, Wilin (Rockies) R-R 5-11 200 2/23/1989 Bonao, D.R. Tulsa Drillers (Texas League/AA)

Valle, Sebastian (Phillies) R-R 6-1 170 7/24/1990 Los Mochis, Mexico Clearwater Threshers (Florida State League/A)



Infielders (8)

Player (Organization) Bats/Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Alonso, Yonder (Reds) L-R 6-2 240 4/08/1987 Havana, Cuba Louisville Bats (International League/AAA)

Altuve, Jose (Astros) R-R 5-7 170 5/06/1990 Maracay, Venezuela Corpus Christi Hooks (Texas League/AA)

Marte, Jefry (Mets) R-R 6-1 187 6/21/1991 La Romana, D.R. St. Lucie Mets (Florida State League/A)

Martinez, Francisco (Tigers) R-R 6-1 180 9/01/1990 Rio Chico, Venezuela Erie SeaWolves (Eastern League/AA)

Lee, Hak-Ju (Rays) L-R 6-2 170 11/04/1990 Jeonju, South Korea Charlotte Stone Crabs (Florida State League/A)

Liddi, Alex (Mariners) R-R 6-4 230 8/14/1988 San Remo, Italy Tacoma Rainiers (Pacific Coast League/AAA)

Profrar, Jurickson (Rangers) S-R 5-11 165 2/20/1993 Willemstad, Curacao Hickory Crawdads (South Atlantic League/A)

Schoop, Jonathan (Orioles) R-R 6-1 187 10/16/1991 Willemstad, Curacao Frederick Keys (Carolina League/A)



Outfielders (5)

Player (Organization) Bats/Throws HT WT Birthdate Birthplace Current Team (League/Level)

Chiang, Chih-Hsien (Red Sox) L-R 6-2 170 2/21/1988 Taitung, Taiwan Portland Sea Dogs (Eastern League/AA)

Fuentes, Reymond (Padres) L-L 6-0 160 2/12/1991 Orlando, FL (HS in Puerto Rico) Lake Elsinore Storm (California League/A)

Marte, Starling (Pirates) R-R 6-1 170 10/09/1988 Santo Domingo, D.R. Altoona Curve (Eastern League/AA)

Silverio, Alfredo (Dodgers) R-R 6-0 205 5/06/1987 La Romana, D.R. Chattanooga Lookouts (Southern League/AA)

Viciedo, Dayan (White Sox) R-R 5-11 230 3/10/1989 Villa Clara, Cuba Charlotte Knights (International League/AAA)

Sea Dogs Score Early, Often, Win 11-4 #portlandseadogs #redsox

Trenton starter Alan Horne toed the rubber for the first time since 2009 due to injury. The Sea Dogs did not greet him nicely, scoring 4 runs before Horne could record an out, and Portland didn't look back, winning 11-4.

Horne's first recorded out since '09 will have to wait for another day, as the Sea Dogs watched the righty fail to locate the strike zone. Horne walked 5 of the first 6 batters and gave up a single to Alex Hassan. After facing 6 batters and throwing only 14 of his 37 pitches for strikes, the Alan Horne experiment was over. Craig Heyer came on in relief to get the first 3 outs and end the inning. The damage was already done, however, as the Sea Dogs scored 4 runs in what turned out to be a blowout.

With a comfortable cushion, Portland starter Alex Wilson went to work. In 5 2/3 innings, he scattered 4 hits without giving up a run. He struck out a season-high 8 batters, while only walking 3. He threw 61 of his 100 pitches for strikes.

The Sea Dogs would score again in the fifth inning, as Ryan Khoury singled to lead off the inning. It was Khoury's first hit since being reacquired by the Red Sox organization earlier in the week. Khoury went 0 for 5 in his debut last night. The Sea Dogs second baseman would later score on a sacrifice fly by Tim Federowicz, making it 5-0 Dogs.

Khoury would pick up his first (and second) RBIs of the season the very next inning, as he would belt a double off of the Monster, plating Jon Hee and Jeremy Hazelbaker.

The Sea Dogs would completely blow the game open in the seventh inning, as Heyer showed signs of fatigue. After Federowicz flew out to center to lead-off, the Sea Dogs would get 4 straight hits to knock out Heyer. The righty reliever pitched 6 1/3 valiant innings, giving up 7 runs on 8 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3. He threw 101 pitches, 61 for strikes. Heyer held the Sea Dogs in check for 4 innings, not allowing a run, while only giving up 1 hit before he started to fall apart in the fifth.

The Thunder scored all 4 of their runs in the final 3 innings as the game was out of reach. Corban Joseph, Cody Johnson, and DeAngelo Mack all picked up RBI hits for Trenton. Joseph had a productive night, going 3 for 4, with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI.

The whole Sea Dogs line-up 1 through 9 produced in the game. Hazelbaker and Chih-Hsien Chiang were the only starters held hitless. Federowicz was the lone Dog not to score, and Hee the only batter who failed to drive home a run. Khoury finished 2 for 3 with 2 RBI, 2 runs, and 2 walks. Hassan went 3 for 4, with a run and an RBI, showing that his early season surge was no fluke.

The Sea Dogs improved to 25-43 on the season, and picked up their first series win at home since late April.

Chris Balcom-Miller takes the mound for Portland tomorrow, as he will face off against Yankees prospect Manny Banuelos. Game time is at 6:00pm for the series finale.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sea Dogs: Dogs walk to runs in 13-5 romp

The Sea Dogs series opener against the Trenton Thunder featured a dominant pitcher. It just wasn't the starting pitcher everyone thought it would be. Dellin Betances came into the contest with a 1.76 ERA and only 27 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched. So naturally he only lasted 2 1/3 innings while walking 4 batters. It was Portland starter Brock Huntzinger who pitched effectively, striking out a season-high 9 batters in 5 solid innings.

CLICK FOR POST GAME AUDIO

Betances had a rough first inning, setting the stage for a forgettable outing. Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the bottom of the inning with a single, and then promptly stole second. Old friend Ryan Khoury, newly signed from an independent league team, then walked. Alex Hassan would ground out, scoring Hazelbaker for the games first run. Chih-Hsien Chiang walked to put runners at the corners. Khoury would score on a wild pitch with Tim Federowicz batting. After Federowicz flew out to center, Reynaldo Rodriguez would single to bring home Chiang, and it was the Sea Dogs with an early 3-0 lead.

The run support energized Huntzinger, as he struck out the side in the second, the first of three times he would strike out 3 batters in an inning. He would give up a lead-off Home Run to Jose Gil in the third, then strike out #9 hitter Jason Place, giving him 3 strikeouts in a span of 4 batters. Huntzinger then looked a little shaky, giving up a single to Ray Kruml, then walking Corban Joseph. Rob Lyerly then hit an RBI double for his first Double-A hit, closing the gap to 3-2. Huntzinger then got Cody Johnson and Bradley Suttle to strike out to end the inning. Huntzinger would also strike out 3 batters in the the fifth, ending his outing on a high note.

The Sea Dogs would pull away for good in the bottom of the third. Hassan led off with walk, as the Sea Dogs took advantage of Betances' wildness. Chiang hit a bomb to deep left-center, only to have it come up up short at the warning track for a long out. Federowicz was then hit by a pitch, putting two men on for Rodriguez. Just as he did in the first inning, the Sea Dog 1st baseman hit an RBI single, scoring Hassan. Oscar Tejeda would then hit a bloop single to shallow right field, scoring Federowicz and ending Betances short outing. Naoya Okamoto would come on in relief, and would be anything but, as Jorge Padron and Jon Hee would both pick up RBI hits. Okamoto would then get Hazelbaker to ground out, and Khoury to fly out to end the inning.

The Sea Dogs would put 2 more runs across in the fourth inning, as Federowicz lined a 2 RBI double down the left-field line with no outs.

Portland would extend the lead even further in the sixth inning, as Rodriguez and Tejeda hit Home Runs on back-to-back pitches to the same part of the park. Rodriguez's was a 3-run homer, giving him 5 RBIs on the night.

Trenton would score single runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings with the game out of reach. to finalize the 13-5 score.

Huntzinger improved to 4-5 with one of his best outings of the season. In 5 innings he scattered 2 runs on 7 hits, striking out 9 while walking only 1. He threw 63 of his 97 pitches for strikes, and used all 3 of his pitches effectively.

Khoury was the only Sea Dogs batter to not record a hit, yet he might have been the happiest player after the game. After spending parts of 2008-10 in Portland, the infielder was let go by the Red Sox. He landed in the Frontier League playing for the Gateway Grizzlies, hoping to someday make it back onto a big league club's radar. It was the Red Sox that never let him out of their sight, as he is back in their possession. Khoury is grateful to be back here in Portland, where he said the post-game spread is a little better. Listen to the post-game audio below:

POST GAME AUDIO
Ryan Khoury


Brock Huntzinger

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sea Dogs: Khoury, Fernandes return


The Boston Red Sox today made the following roster moves affecting the Double-A roster of the Portland Sea Dogs:

INF Ryan Khoury had his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox from the Independent League Gateway Grizzlies and has been assigned to Double-A Portland. Khoury will wear uniform #10.

Ryan Khoury is getting a second chance. The utility infielder was signed by the Red Sox, for the second time, and assigned to the Portland Sea Dogs. Khoury spent parts of the last three seasons in Portland before he was released by the Red Sox in Spring Training this year. He moved on to play for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Independent Frontier League, batting .320 in 26 games and leading the league with 25 runs scored.

Khoury was a 12th round pick of the Red Sox in the 2006 First Year Player Draft. He quickly made the jump all the way to Triple-A Pawtucket in his rookie year, playing in nine games with the PawSox. From 2008-2010, Khoury played 213 games with the Sea Dogs, batting .249 with eight home runs and 91 runs batted in. 2009 saw him play in a career-high 109 games in a season, starting all but three of those at second base for Portland.

His tenure with the Sea Dogs ranks Khoury in the top ten in many all-time categories. The Utah native is 8th in runs scored (137), t-9th in games played (263), 3rd in walks (131), t-5th in doubles (59), and 9th in total plate appearances (1,072).

Khoury played four years at the University of Utah. He was named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year in his senior season after batting .438 with 13 homers and 56 RBI. Khoury will wear #10 for the Sea Dogs.

LHP Kyle Fernandes was also activated from the disabled list.

--Sea Dogs press release--

Friday, June 10, 2011

Surkamp Stymies Sea Dogs, Squirrels Win 7-2

After allowing 3 straight singles to start the ballgame, Richmond starter Eric Surkamp calmed down and went to work. The lanky lefty would only give up 2 more hits over the rest of his 6-inning outing, as the Flying Squirrel won 7-2 to take 2 of 3 from the Sea Dogs.

Portland starter Alex Wilson made quick work of the first two batters of the game, getting Justin Christian to fly out and striking out Charlie Culberson. The third out proved harder to get, as he gave up 3 straight singles to give Richmond an early 1-0 lead.

The Sea Dogs answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first, as the first three batters all singled, as Jeremy Hazelbaker scored to tie the game at 1-1. Hazelbaker would be the only Sea Dog to get another hit until the 6th inning.

After a 1-2-3 inning in the second, Wilson ran into trouble in the third. He walked Christian to lead-off the inning. With Culberson batting, Christian would steal 2nd, and then score from 2nd on a wild pitch. Culberson then walked and stole 2nd. Johnny Monell then hit a single past a diving Jorge Padron at 1st to score Culberson. Two batters later, Monell would score on sacrifice fly by Drew Biery. It was 4-1 Richmond with Wilson looking anything but dominant.

Wilson would settle down in his final two innings, giving up only a double to Monell in the fifth inning.

Richmond would add to their lead in the sixth inning off reliever Jeremy Kehrt. Nick Noonan singled to left with one out, then scored on a double by Sharlon Schoop. Schoop would move to 3rd on a wild throw from Vladimir Frias to home. Aaron Lowenstein then hit a sac bunt down the 1st base line to plate Schoop, making it 6-1 Flying Squirrels. Ryan Lormand hit a 2-out double, but Frias made a nice running grab of a grounder up the middle and fired to first to get Christian out and prevent another run.

Culberson would round out the Richmond scoring in the seventh inning, hitting a lead-off Home Run over the outfield wall in left-center off of Kehrt.

For good measure the Sea Dogs would score a run in the bottom of the ninth to make it interesting. Chih-Hsien Chiang hit a lead-off triple that barely stayed in the yard. He would score two batters on a Jon Hee RBI groundout to finalize the 7-2 score.

Surkamp was the story of this game. In 6 innings, he gave up only 1 run on 5 hits, with 6 strikeouts and only 1 walk. He held the Sea Dogs 5-9 hitters in check, as they went 0 for 11 with 3 K's with Surkamp pitching. The Giants prospect improved his record to 4-3, and lowered his ERA to a whopping 1.88.

Wilson fell to 5-4 on the season. In a tough outing for him, he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits, with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

Monell proved to be tough out for Portland pitchers, as he went 3-4 with 2 runs scored. He reached base in all 5 plate appearances, as he reached on an error in the seventh and a walk in the ninth.

Will Middlebrooks had a rough night for the Sea Dogs. The usual starting 3B was the DH for this game, and was 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts. Frias was the only batter 5-9 for Portland to reach base, with a single in the eighth. The bottom of the lineup went 1 for 18.

The Sea Dogs now start a 3-game series against the Bowie Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. It will be ht only time Bowie comes to Portland this season.
-WIL KRAMLICH-

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Fife Fires Away in Sea Dogs 6-0 Win


The right arm of Stephen Fife grounded the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the opener of a three-game set at Hadlock. The Portland starter pitched himself out of a first inning jam and held Richmond hitless until the 7th inning. The Sea Dogs offense hit 3 Home Runs in support of Fife, as they blanked Richmond 6-0.

POST GAME AUDIO

Fife found himself in trouble early on, as an error and a walk put two men on with one out. A fielders choice put Jose Flores at 3rd, but Chih-Hsien Chiang made a sliding catch in right field to retire the side.

Chiang would then show that his bat is as good as his glove, sending a 2-run Homer over the wall in center to give Portland an early 2-0 lead. It was Chiang's 10th round-tripper of the year.

Fife settled down in the second inning, getting Nick Noonan to fly out to left before striking out Ryan Lormand and Skyler Stromsmoe back-to-back. Fife would also strike out back-to-back batters in the third.

In the bottom of the third the Sea Dogs bats would strike again. After Jon Hee and Jeremy Hazelbaker both struck out, Alex Hassan hit his 5th Home Run of the season, this one over the Monster.

The Flying Squirrels would get a man on in the fourth, but Fife would not be the one at fault. With two outs in the inning Justin Christian hit a grounder to 3rd, and Will Middlebrooks rushed the throw, sailing it over Jorge Padron's head at 1st. Fife got the next batter to ground out to keep the no-hitter intact.

Padron would give Fife even more breathing room in the fifth, homering over the wall in right after a lead-off single by Oscar Tejeda. Padron's 4th homer of the year made it 5-0 Sea Dogs.

Richmond finally got to Fife in the seventh inning. After Roger Kieschnick flew out to deep center, Christian stepped to the plate, having already killed the no-hitter twice. He would not be denied again, slicing a single over a leaping Middlebrooks to end the night for Fife. He hit the showers after allowing only 1 hit in 6 1/3 innings, striking out 7 and walking 1. Kyle Fernandes came on in relief and got the next two batters out to preserve Fife's shutout.

The Sea Dogs would add one more run in the bottom of the eighth, just for good measure. Hazelbaker led off with a single, and moved to 2nd when Hassan was hit by a pitch. Hazelbaker would score three batters later on a bloop single by Middlebrooks.

Eammon Portice struck out the side for the Sea Dogs in the ninth to end the game.

Fife improved his record to 6-3, lowering his ERA to 2.94 in the process.

Clayton Tanner fell to 1-6 on the year, going 4 1/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits with all the runs coming on home runs. He struck out 3, walked 1, and had a balk.

Chiang hit a Home Run for a 4th straight game, tying the club record that Josh Reddick set in 2009.

Between the 5th and 7th innings the Sea Dogs struck out 7 straight times. The first 5 were from Henry Sosa, which were the only 5 batters he faced.

In Sea Dogs-Red Sox affiliate notes, Tommy Hottovy's #21 jersey was placed on the front of the sky box as a former Sea Dogs who made it to the Red Sox. He joins the likes of Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury.
-WIL KRAMLICH-


POST GAME AUDIO
Sea Dogs Pitcher Stephen Fife

Manager Kevin Boles

Monday, June 6, 2011

Chiang named Eastern League Player of the Week


Portland Sea Dogs' outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang has been selected as the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of May 30th through June 5th.

The 23-year old played in eight games for the Sea Dogs last week and hit .424 (14-for-33) with three doubles, one triple, three home runs, eight RBI, eight runs scored, two walks, one stolen base and a .848 slugging percentage. Chiang, who is a native of Taitung, Taiwan, had four multiple hit games last week and finished off the week by hitting a home run in three consecutive games. He kicked off his home run streak by going 4-for-5 with a triple, a solo homer and two runs scored in a 7-2 win at Altoona on Friday night. The 6'2", 170 lb. slugger led all Eastern League players in slugging percentage (.848), OPS (1.306), extra-base hits (7) and total bases (28) last week. He also finished tied for first in hits (14), runs scored (8) and home runs (3), tied for third in triples (1), tied for fourth in RBI (8), tied for sixth in doubles (3) and ranked seventh in batting average (.424).

Chiang, who currently leads the league in slugging percentage (.626) and OPS (.980) and is hitting .313 in 40 games this season, was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent on October 20, 2005.

Chiang's honor marks the first time this season that a Sea Dogs' player has been selected for the award.

The Portland Sea Dogs have won five straight games and return to Hadlock Field for six game series starting on Tuesday, June 7th with a 7:00 PM contest against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants). Tickets are available for all 2011 Sea Dogs' home games. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at www.seadogs.com.

--SEA DOGS--

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