Sea Dogs Fall to B-Mets 5-1 in Home Opener

Juan Carlos Linares got the Sea Dogs started off on the right foot, hitting the first pitch he saw from the lead-off spot for a home run, but the Dogs' bats did little after that. Collin McHugh pitched into the 7th inning for the Binghamton Mets, as they spoiled the Sea Dogs home opener with a 5-1 win.

Portland starter Brock Huntzinger got two quick outs in the top of the first, but ran into trouble after that. The righty gave up 2 hits and 2 walks to the next four batters as the Mets held an early 2-0 lead.

Linares sought to get the Sea Dogs offense rolling early, knocking the first pitch he saw just over the wall in center. The Dogs would load the bases after 3 of the next 4 batters collected singles, but McHugh shut the door to end the rally.

McHugh settled down the rest of the way, allowing only three baserunners over the next 5 innings before being pulled with two outs in the 7th with 2 men on.

The mets got to Huntzinger again in the 3rd inning, as Josh Rodriguez' 2-run double finished off a 3-run inning for Binghamton. Huntzinger would only last four innings before being pulled with 71 pitches thrown.

Jeremy Kehrt pitched beautifully in relief of Huntzinger. The righty reliever allowed just one hit over four innings, while striking out 5 and walking 2.

There was some bright spots for the Sea Dogs, as 3 of their young prospects all collected hits. Derrik Gibson picked up a single in only his second game of the year, and Bryce Brentz and Kolbrin Vitek also picked up hits. All 3 players are in the Top 25 prospects in the Red Sox organization.

The win was McHugh's first of the season, as he went 6.2 innings, allowing just 1 run on 7 hits, with 6 strikeouts and no walks.

Huntzinger fell to 0-2 and has a robust 11.57 ERA after just two outings.

The second game of the series is tomorrow night as Left-hander Chris Hernandez looks to get the Sea Dogs their second win of the season.


Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles

Opening Day Double Dip for Portland Sea Dogs

The Reading Phillies (2-0) opened the 2012 season by sweeping a doubleheader from the Portland Sea Dogs (0-2) at First Energy Stadium in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Phillies collected a 4-2 extra inning victory in game one and 7-4 win in game two.

Reading got on the board first when Sebastian Valle tagged Portland starter Chris Balcom-Miller with a solo home run to left field as the Phillies took a 1-0 lead.

Valle's home run would be the only damage against Balcom-Miller who held the Phillies to one run on three hits over five solid innings of work. Balcom-Miller only threw 48 pitches, striking out three and did not surrender a walk.

Portland tied the game at one in the fourth inning when Oscar Tejeda collected a two out RBI single scoring Reynaldo Rodriguez.

The score remained tied until the top of the seventh when Ryan Dent hit a two out sole home run to give the Sea Dogs a 2-1 lead. Dent would lead the Portland offense with a three hit performance (3-for-3, RBI, R).

The Phillies rallied against Portland reliever Aaron Kurcz in the bottom half of the seventh loading the bases with nobody out. Jiwan James hit a sacrifice fly to center scoring Michael Spidale to tie the game sending the season opening contest into extra frames.

Portland reliever Caleb Clay surrendered the two run homer to Castro in the ninth to give the Phillies the dramatic victory in game one. Clay (0-1) suffered the loss allowing two runs on three hits in 1.1 innings.

Michael Cisco (1-0) earned the win for Reading holding the Sea Dogs to one hit over one inning of work.

The Sea Dogs out hit the Phillies 12-8. Every Sea Dogs player had at least one hit with the exception of Dan
Butler and Peter Hissey. Kolbrin Vitek was 2-for-4 in his Double-A debut.

Game two got off to a great start for the Sea Dogs as Juan Carlos Linares led-off the game with solo home run to left off Reading starter Tyson Brummett to give the Sea Dogs a quick 1-0 lead.

Brummett would settle down to retire the next nine batters before giving way to reliever Chris Kissock in the fourth. Kissock (1-0) would earn the win holding the Sea Dogs to one run on three hits in 2.1 innings.

The Reading Phillies would use a four run third inning to cruise to their second win of the evening. Chris Martin,
making his first Double-A start for the Sea Dogs, allowed four straight batters to reach to start the third inning. Cesar Hernandez drove home Steve Lerud and Miguel Abreu with a double to left giving the Phillies a 2-1 lead. Steve Susdorf added a RBI single to right scoring Spidale and Hernandez scored on a Tug Hulett ground out as Reading took a 4-1 lead.

Hernandez was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, and a run scored to lead the Reading offensive attack.

Martin (0-1) took the loss allowing six runs on eight hits in
four innings on the mound. He struck out four and walked two.

Spidale would add a RBI single in the fourth and Castro a RBI single in the fifth as Reading stretched their lead to 7-1.

Portland would make the game interesting plating a run in the sixth and two in the seventh bringing the tying run to the plate.

Justin Friend would get Matt Spring to pop-up to end the threat and earn the save.

Bryce Brentz led the Portland offense in game two with a 3-for-4 performance. He led off the sixth inning with a single and scored on a Tejeda RBI single. Brentz would
pick-up his first Double-A RBI with single scoring Heiker Meneses in the seventh.

The Sea Dogs and Phillies are back in action on Friday night at 7:05 PM. The Sea Dogs will send right-handed pitcher Brock Huntzinger (0-0, 0.00) to the mound. Reading will counter with righty Trevor May (0-0, 0.00).

The Sea Dogs will return home for their home opener on Thursday, April 12th at 6:00 PM against the Binghamton Mets. Tickets are available for all Sea Dogs' home games. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or online at
www.seadogs.com

-Courtesy Portland Sea Dogs-

Media Day LIVE From Hadlock!

The 2012 Portland Sea Dogs arrive in town Tuesday and the Maine Sports Network will be there! Starting with Calling All Sports from 10A-Noon Lee Goldberg and Jeff Schools will broadcast LIVE from Hadlock. You can listen on AM870/1470 WLAM, stream at MaineSportsNetwork.com and on your smartphones, download the TuneIn Radio app and search Maine Sports Network.

Then at 3:15PM, Media Day starts and MESN will bring you complete coverage. We will be streaming audio AND VIDEO LIVE from the Clubhouse. We will bring you coaches and players, have photos and exclusive audio from your 2012 Portland Sea Dogs.

Baseball season is HERE!! See you at the ballpark!

Bobby V, Salty, Furbush Speak at Hot Stove Dinner

As the calendar turns from 2011 to 2012, so does the baseball calendar. The 2011 edition of the Red Sox was not what you would call a success, but the promise of a better 2012 season is on the horizon. The Portland Sea Dogs held their annual Hot Stove Dinner to talk about the upcoming Red Sox and Sea Dogs seasons.

As usual, there were some big names on hand. New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine was the main draw, but also on hand were Red Sox Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Seattle Mariners pitcher Charlie Furbush. Furbush, for all of you who live under a rock, grew up in South Portland and started his college career at St. Joe's before moving on to LSU and the major leagues.

One theme among all 3 guests is that 2011 is in the rear-view mirror, and 2012 should be one hell of a ride.


Bobby Valentine




Jarrod Saltalamacchia




Charlie Furbush

Portland Sea Dogs Owner Dan Burke dies at the age of 82.

John Howard Sanden Portrait of Dan Burke

So what kind of person could make a person like me, stand in line, overnight, in the dead of winter (February 25/26 to be exact) for freaking baseball tickets. Dan Burke could and Dan Burke did.

Me and hundreds of other rabid baseball fans braved below zero wind chills that February night to line up in front of an incomplete Hadlock Field. It was quite a scene. I was bundled head to toe thinking about baseball. I was 12th in line, will never forget that number! The prize that day was a temporary trailer standing where the handicapped parking lot entrance is now. In front, a series of rope lines to weave the baseball crazies like myself toward the goal of Opening Day tickets. We didn't know the players were going to be, not really. We knew the Florida Marlins were going to be the parent club, but we didn't fully understand who the players were yet.

You have to understand where we were as baseball fans. The Maine Guides we our appetite for what minor league baseball in Maine could be like. Dan Burke was able to get people who had previously fought baseball in Portland to come together for the cause. get people EXCITED to create Hadlock Field. Get people excited for baseball in Maine. Dan Burke got that accomplished.

I remember vividly standing in line Opening Day. I was 2nd in line, see what kind of freak I am! My brother, furthest thing from a baseball fan, understood what was happening, and was excited to be there. Steve Buckley, now of the Boston Herald, was with NESN or NECN or some other entity, interviewed me about why it was important to me to be there. I explained being a Sox fan, being crushed the Guides left and how pumped and jacked I was to be here when baseball was reborn in Portland.

There are so many memories. I will never forget the day I brought my daughter to her 1st Sea Dogs game. I think I was more excited than she was, that was until Slugger came calling. Then it was on. How many games have I sat and watched with my little girl, watching pro baseball a mile from where I was born and where she was born.

What a spectacular 17 plus years. Thank you, Dan Burke. Thanks to you and the vision you had all those years ago. This baseball fan owes you a debt that can never be repaid. Rest in Peace.

3 Sea Dogs Traded Away In 3 Team Deal

As part of a three-team deal that brings starting pitcher Erik Bedard and minor-league pitcher Josh Fields to the Red Sox, 3 Sea Dogs players have been been traded away. Outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang, along with pitcher Juan Rodriguez from Single-A Greenville, have been sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Catcher Tim Federowicz and pitcher Stephen Fife have been sent to the Seattle Mariners.

All 3 players have been key cogs for the Sea Dogs this season. Chiang and Fife were both Eastern League All-Stars, and Chiang played in the MLB Futures Game as part of All-Star weekend in Arizona.

Chiang was leading the Sea Dogs in many categories this season, including batting average, RBIs, and doubles. His 76 RBIs were tops in the Eastern League. He leaves the Sea Dogs organization with a franchise record 72 doubles.

Fife leads the Eastern League in wins with 11. His 11-4 record was tops among Sea Dogs pitchers. In 103 1/3 innings pitched, he had 70 strikeouts and a 3.66 ERA.

Federowicz had a batting line of .277 average, 8 home runs, and 52 RBIs. He finished off his Sea Dogs career in style, going 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs in the Sea Dogs 8-5 win Sunday against the Altoona Curve.

Dening Walk-Off Dinger Gives Dogs 10-9 Win

With a stiff wind towards the outfield, there was a good chance that couple balls would fly out of Hadlock Field. No one expected there to be 7 of them, especially Mitch Dening, who's solo home run in the bottom of the ninth pushed the Sea Dogs to a 10-9 victory over the Binghamton Mets.

The talk before the game was not if there would be a home run, but how many would there be. The Mets hit 4 in the game, with the Sea Dogs tallying 3, but Dening's shot was the difference, as the pitchers in this game would like to forget this one.

Sea Dogs starter Brock Huntzinger put himself in a jam in the first inning, putting runners at the corners. However he got Dusty Ryan to pop out to end the inning.

CLICK FOR POST GAME AUDIO

Binghamton starter Robert Carson did not escape the bottom of the first so easily. He allowed a lead-off walk to Jeremy Hazelbaker, and then a single to Ryank Khoury. A fly out to deep center by CHih-Hsien Chiang allowed Hazelbaker to advance to 3rd. He would then score as Carson's pickoff attempt of Khoury sailed wide of first, bringing in the game's first run.

Hazelbaker drove in the next run in the second inning, singling to shallow center to drive home Heiker Meneses. Hazelbaker was 1 of 8 players in this game to record multiple hits.

Huntzinger gave up the first home run of the game in the top of the third, as Allan Dykstra bombed a pitch into the 8th row of the pavilion seats in right field with two on and two outs. Huntzinger had struck out 4 straight batters before giving up back to back singles and the home run.

Khoury led off the bottom of the third with a home run that just cleared the wall in center, tying the game at 3-3. It was Khoury's 2nd homer of the year.

Huntzinger gave up solo shots in both the fourth and fifth innings, to Brahiam Maldonado and Matt Den Dekker respectively. Den Dekker would homer again in the seventh inning, with both of them leading off the inning.

Huntzinger was done after 5 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, with 6 strikeouts. All of the runs he gave up came on home runs.

Portland would push 4 runs across in the sixth inning to take back the lead. Dening led off with a single, and moved to 2nd when Meneses was hit by a pitch. After Hazelbaker struck out, Khoury singled to drive home Dening. Two batters later Will Middlebrooks launched a 3-run home run over the Monster in left, giving the Sea Dogs an 8-6 lead. It was Middlebrook's 12th round-tripper of the year.

After Den Dekker cut the lead to 8-7 in the top of the seventh, the Sea Dogs regained a 2 run advantage as Hazelbaker singled home Jon Hee on a grounder through the left side of the infield.

Blake Maxwell came on in relief in the eighth inning, looking for a 6-out save. he was greeted rather poorly by the Mets. He gave up a lead-off double to Raul Reyes, followed by back to back singles by Maldonado and Eric Campbell to push one run across. Niuman Romero then dropped a sacrifice bunt in front of Maxwell that he threw past Hee, scoring Maldonado and tying the game at 9-9. With the winning run at 3rd Maxwell got a strikeout, flyout, and another strikeout to end the inning.

John Lujan entered the game in the bottom of the inning and struck out the side, giving all the momentum to Binghamton. Maxwell made it interesting again in the ninth, loading the bases on 3 straight one-out singles. He would again escape a jam, getting Campbell to hit a weak flyball and Romero to groundout to keep the game tied.

Jon Hee looked like he might the hero to lead-off the bottom of the ninth. He got good contact on a 3-2 pitch, but landed it shy of the warning track for an out. Then Dening stepped to the plate, and he would erase any doubt as soon as he made contact. The crowd erupted in appreciation of the heroics, and Dening was mobbed by his teammates at home plate after he rounded the bases. With the win, the Sea Dogs took 2 of 3 from the Mets, and ended the homestand on a high note.

Lujan took the loss, his 3rd of the year, after Dening's blast was his only mistake.

Maxwell failed to get the save, but recorded his 2nd win of the season. It was not his finest outing by any means, but he got men out when he needed to.

The teams combined for 19 strikeouts, and 29 hits. The Sea Dogs pitching staff did not allow a walk, and Huntzinger's hit by pitch of Josh Satin was the only free pass.

Each team only had one batter fail to record a hit, as Romero went 0 for 4, and Oscar Tejeda went 0 for 5 for Portland.

With the win the Sea Dogs are now percentage points ahead of the Mets at the bottom of the North Division standings. The Sea Dogs are 38-58, and the Mets 39-59.

The Sea Dogs now head to New Hampshire for a 4-game weekend series against the Fisher Cats. They will then head to Binghamton for a 3-game series before returning home for a 4-game series against Altoona.

POST GAME AUDIO
Sea Dogs Outfielder Mitch Denning


Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles

Mets Get Moore in 7-2 Win Over Dogs

Brandon Moore shut down the Sea Dogs offense for six innings, and Brahiam Maldonado led the Mets bats in a 7-2 win over the Portland Sea Dogs.

Moore shook the cobwebs out in the first inning, giving up a lead-off triple to Jeremy Hazelbaker, and hitting Chih-Hsien Chiang with one out. However, as a telling sign for the Sea Dogs all night, they couldn't push a run across, as Will Middlebrooks flew out to left and Tim Federowicz struck out looking to end the inning.

Moore allowed a base runner in every inning, but it wasn't until his sixth and final inning that he allowed a run. He scattered 6 hits, and only gave up one walk, while striking out 4.

Binghamton meanwhile, had no problem finishing rallies. Back to back one-out doubles by Salomon Manriquez and Raul Reyes in the second gave the Mets an early 1-0 lead. They would double that lead in the third when Jordany Valdespin doubled to left-center, and advanced to 3rd when Hazelbaker misplayed the hit. He would then score on an RBI groundout by Josh Satin.

Portland starter Michael Lee only lasted 3 innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. It was his first start since July 5th, which was also against the Mets.

Junichi Tazawa replaced lee, and was shaky in his first inning of work. He gave up a lead-off double to Manriquez. Reyes then dropped a sacrifice bunt down the 3rd base line that Tazawa got to, but threw wide of Jon Hee at first base, putting runners at the corners with no outs. Maldonado then hit a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-0 Mets. After giving up a single to Eric Campbell, Tazawa would settle down and retire the next 10 batters.

The Sea Dogs finally got themselves on the scoreboard in the sixth. After Moore got two quick outs, Federowicz and Oscar Tejeda hit back to back doubles to make it 3-1. Mitch Dening then grounded out to end the inning, and the outing for Moore.

Binghamton would pull away with a big eighth inning, as they knocked around reliever Kyle Fernandes. Satin led off with a single and Allan Dykstra followed with a double to put runners in scoring position with no outs. After Dusty Ryan struck out, Fernandes intentionally walked Manriquez to load the bases. Reyes then hit a weak fly ball to Dening in right for the second out, giving Fernandes hope of getting out of the inning unscathed. Maldonado had other thoughts, as he lined a bases-clearing triple past a diving Dening. Fernandes then got Campbell to fly out to prevent any further damage.

The Sea Dogs gave the fans something to cheer about in the bottom of the eighth, even if it was not enough in the end. Chiang led off with a double to left-center, which broke the franchise record for career doubles. It was Chiang's 33rd double of the season, and 68th of his Sea Dogs career. The record was formally held by Brandon Moss. Chiang would be rewarded, scoring 2 batters later on an RBI single by Federowicz.

The Mets would score another run in the seventh for good measure, finishing off a forgettable performance by Fernandes.

With the win Moore evened his record at 7-7. he also lowered his ERA to 3.97 in the process.

Lee took the loss, dropping his record to 1-5. He only threw 52 pitches over his 3 innings, trying to increase his pitch count after spending time in the bullpen.

Save his first inning of work, Tazawa showed further improvement from Tommy John surgery. A perfect example was when he struck out Matt Den Dekker in the seventh inning on 3 pitches, with strike 3 being a filthy off-speed pitch.

The two teams will play the rubber game of the 3-game series tomorrow at noon. Brock Huntzinger is slated to take the mound for the Sea Dogs.

Middlebrooks Mashes in Sea Dogs 7-4 Win

Matt Harvey frustrated Sea Dogs hitters for 5 innings, tallying 9 strikeouts while only giving up 2 runs. The Sea Dogs let that frustration out on the Mets' relievers, as they scored 5 runs in the seventh inning en route to a 7-4 victory over Binghamton.

The Sea Dogs got their licks in on Harvey in the first inning. After Jeremy Hazelbaker struck out to lead off the inning, Ryan Khoury walked, and Chih-Hsien Chiang doubled to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Will Middlebrooks then doubled to center to drive in a pair. Middlebrooks was then left stranded as Harvey settled down, and settled in.

CLICK FOR POST GAME AUDIO

Harvey gave up two walks and a single to load the bases in the second inning, but struck out Chiang looking to end the threat. He would strand runners at 2nd base in both the third and fourth innings. In the fifth inning he would get his only 1-2-3 inning of the outing, but he finished strong, getting Middlebrooks and Tim Federowicz to strike out looking. Six of his nine strikeouts were on called strikes, as he mastered umpire Shaun Lampe's strike zone.

Alex Wilson was not as sharp as Harvey, but was just as effective at preventing runs. Wilson lasted 5 2/3 innings, while allowing a season-high 9 hits, but giving up just 2 runs. He struck out 6 and walked none, and finished off his outing by striking out Raul Reyes.

With Harvey out of the picture the Portland offense was able to wake up in the game-changing seventh inning. Heiker Meneses led off with a double high off the wall in right field that just barely stayed under the yellow home run line. Hazelbaker then dropped a sacrifice bunt down the 3rd base line, and reached safely when Jordany Valdespin couldn't handle the throw to first base. Menses scored on the error. Ryan Khoury then had quite the at-bat, as he fouled off numerous pitches before connecting on the 13th pitch for an RBI double. After Chiang flew out to right, Middlebrooks stepped to the plate and showed some muscle. He blasted a 2-run home run into the batters eye to straight center, a landmark that few can reach. It was Middlebrooks' 11th home run for the Sea Dogs, and gave him 4 RBIs on the night.

Two batters later Oscar Tejeda lined a 3-2 pitch past the shortstop to keep the inning alive. After stealing 2nd, he would score when Mitch Dening's grounder was misplayed by Valdespin and dribbled into shallow center field.

The Mets would make it interesting in the ninth inning, as they weren't content with giving the Sea Dogs an easy victory. After reliever Charle Rosario induced two fly outs to get two quick outs, Valdespin got some redemption with a single. He would then make it to third when Middlebrooks let a Josh Satin grounder roll under his glove. Allan Dykstra would then get his own redemption, knocking an RBI single into center field after striking out in each of his first 4 at-bats. Dusty Ryan would drive in two more with a single after a wild pitch advanced the runners. Sea Dogs manager Kevin Boles decided he'd seen enough, and brought in closer Blake Maxwell to get the final out. Maxwell needed just one pitch, as Salomom Manriquez hit a slow bouncer to 3rd that Middlebrooks gloved and fired to first for the final out.

Cesar Cabral picked up the win, his 2nd of the season, after pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Brad Holt took the loss, his 7th of the year, after giving up 3 runs on 2 hits in 1+ innings.

Middlebrooks went 2 for 4, with 4 RBIs and a run scored as he showed again why he is considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball. His play to get the final out of the game showed that he can also shine defensively.

Maxwell's one pitch earned him his 9th save of the year, as he has become a key cog in the Sea Dogs bullpen.

Michael Lee will take the mound tomorrow for Portland in the 2nd game of the 3-game series against Binghamton. He is just 1-4 with a 5.33 ERA this season.

POST GAME AUDIO
Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles

Dogs Claw Back, Beat Cats 10-6

The Sea Dogs looked dead in the water for seven innings. A game-tying double by Mitch Dening changed that, and the Sea Dogs kept going, scoring 8 runs in the 8th inning to rally past the New Britain Rock Cats, 10-6. Chih-Hsien Chiang had two home runs, including a 3-run shot in the 8th to give him a team-high 16 on the season.

Brett Jacobson made the Sea Dogs hitters look foolish until he left with a injury in the fourth inning. Chiang was the only batter to record a hit off the lanky righty, getting a single in the first and his first home run of the game, a 2-run shot, in the fourth. Blake Martin came on in relief of Jacobson and picked up where he left off. Martin pitched 3 1/3 innings of 1-hit ball, with 4 walks and 1 strikeout.

Portland starter Brock Huntzinger looked great at the beginning of the game, retiring the first 7 batters he faced, including 3 straight strikeouts looking to start the game. A solo home run by Deibinson Romero in the third seemed to knock him off his game. He gave up back to back doubles in the fourth, and a home run followed by 3 straight walks in the fifth to end his outing after just 4 2/3 innings. Cesar Cabral came on in relief and allowed a run-scoring walk and a 2-RBI single to give Huntzinger 5 earned runs on the night. That was the end of the New Britain offense on the night, however, leaving open a sliver of hope for the Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs managed only 3 hits in the through the first seven innings, swinging at many pitches up in the zone that led to fly outs or strikeouts. They then started to calm down and make the New Britain relievers work for outs. Deolis Guerra hit Will Middlebrooks with one out in the eighth, and then walked Tim Federowicz and Oscar Tejeda back to back to load the bases. Jon Hee then lined a single that ricocheted off Guerra and drove home Middlebrooks. Rock Cats closer Tyler Robertson came on in relief, but couldn't manage to end this game like he did the previous night. Dening stayed patient in his at-bat, staying away from breaking balls in the dirt, and dropped an RBI double into left-center. Ryan Dent then lined a single that landed just inside the 3rd-base line, bringing home 2 more runs, and suddenly Portland was out of the doghouse and in the lead. After Jeremy Hazelbaker ground into a force out, Alex Hassan drew a walk on 4 pitches. Chiang then hit what has become a common sight at Hadlock this season: a towering home run out of the stadium. It gave Chiang 5 RBIs on the night, the first time he has done that as a Sea Dogs, and only the 2nd time in his professional career.

Blake Maxwell came on to pitch the ninth, and made it interesting. He gave up a single and a walk before getting his first out. He then gave up another walk and a sacrifice fly to pull New Britain within 4 runs. he then got Michael Hollimon to ground out to first to end the game, and the comeback was complete. it was a complete 180 degree turn from last night's game, when the Sea Dogs committed 3 errors and lost the game on an error in the eighth.

Eammon Portice picked up the win in relief, while only throwing 7 pitches. he is now 3-4 on the season.

Guerra took the loss, and the Twins prospect is now 5-7 with a 7.49 ERA. Robertson picked up his 6th blown save, a night after getting his 10th save.

Chiang went 3 for 5 with 5 RBIs and 2 runs, and was the Sea Dogs only offense for much of the game. He now has 67 RBIs on the season, and bumped his batting average up to .323.

The Sea Dogs are now 36-55 on the season, and maybe tonight's win will start a late-season surge towards .500.

Stephen Fife will take the mound tomorrow against New Britain righty Bobby Lanigan. Fife will be looking for his team-high 11th win of the year.

Errors Early and Late Cost Sea Dogs in 5-4 Loss

A forgettable first inning got the Sea Dogs in an early hole and a key error in the eighth killed what was an exciting rally as the New Britain Rock Cats beat the Sea Dogs 5-4 in the first game after the All-Star break. Miguel Gonzalez allowed 2 runs on zero hits in the first, and Junichi Tazawa received some shaky defense as he was tiring in the eighth, as those were the tell-tale innings in the loss.

Gonzalez promptly started off the game by hitting Brian Dozier with a pitch. He would then walk the next batter, Chris Herrmann. Joe Benson then grounded into a force out, getting Herrmann out at 2nd, but putting men at the corners. The 2 runners would score 2 batters later as Yangervis Solarte ground out and Sea Dogs shortstop Heiker Meneses threw the ball away to first. Gonzalez got Evan Bigley to strike out to end the madness.

After getting a 1-2-3 inning in the second inning, Gonzalez ran into trouble again in the third. Dozier led off with a walk on a full count, and would steal second with Herrmann up. He would score two batters later as Meneses threw it away again. Chris Parmalee would also score when Solarte doubled down the first-base line.

Tazawa came on in relief of Gonzalez to start the fifth, and looked the best he has since Tommy John Surgery in 2009. He got out 10 of the first 11 batters he faced before hitting a wall in the eighth. He struck out 4 with no walks, making mutiple batters look foolish with a plus curveball. His velocity made it into the low 90's as well, showing Sea Dogs fans and Red Sox brass alike that he is making strides in a big way. However, after getting 1 out in the eighth the wheels came off. He gave up back to back singles to put runners at the corners. He then got Nate Hanson to hit a ground ball to 3B Ryan Khoury, but Khoury threw it over the head of 2B Oscar Tejeda, allowing Solarte to score the winning run. Caleb Clay came on in relief, and after walking the bases loaded to start, got a strikeout and groundout to end the inning.

The Sea Dogs got their offense from a pair of 2-run home runs in the fifth and sixth innings. With two outs in the fifth Meneses reached on an infield single. Jeremy Hazelbaker then drilled his 6th homer for the Sea Dogs off a fourth tier sign in right center.

The next inning Alex Hassan led off with a single. After Chih-Hsien Chiang struck out, Will Middlebrooks hit a game-tying round-tripper into the pavilion seats in right field. It was Middlebrooks' 10th homer of the year at Double-A.

But besides the 2 dingers the Portland offense couldn't finish off any rallies. They had runners stranded in each of the last 3 innings, including 2 men on in the bottom of the ninth.

Steve Hirschfeld pitched well to start the game for New Britain. In 6 innings of work, he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits, with 4 strikeouts and 1 walk. Discounting the 2 homers, he only gave up a single to Khoury in the first.

Andrew Albers picked up the win in relief, his first of the year. He had 2 hits and 2 strikeouts in 2 innings in his first appearance of the year with New Britain.

Tyler Robertson picked up his 10th save of the year, pitching the final inning for the Rock Cats.

Tazawa took the loss for the Sea Dogs. in 3 1/3 innings, he gave up the 1 run on 3 hits. His ERA sits at a even 10.00.

The two teams are back at it tomorrow night for game 2 of the 4-game series. Brock Huntzinger will be on the mound for the Sea Dogs, looking for his 6th win of the year. Brett Jacobson will start for New Britain, looking to improve on his 3-4 record.

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.

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-

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-

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)

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--

Alex Hassan named 1st Hadlock Headlines Player of the Week.

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.

Sea Dogs Offense Starts Cold, Fall to Reading 7-5

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.

POST GAME AUDIO
Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles

Relief pitcher Jeremy Kehrt

Catcher Tim Federowicz







PHOTO GALLERY

Sea Dogs Open Season With 4-3 Win Over Reading

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-


POST GAME AUDIO
Manager Kevin Boles


Starter Alex Wilson


PHOTO GALLERY PRESENTED BY MISTER SPARKY

OPENING DAY! Mister Sparky, America's On Time Electrician Photo Sponsor Year 2!

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!

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