Sea Dogs: Eastern League launches Charity Auction

The Eastern League is pleased to announce the league has launched an online charity auction. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the relief efforts from the devastating flooding that took place in Binghamton, New York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania earlier this fall. To view the items being auctioned off or to place a bid visit http://easternleague.milbauctions.com.

The list of items that will be available when the auction starts on Tuesday afternoon are:

• Game worn Akron Aeros Cory Burns jersey
• Autograph Pack featuring LaMarr Woodley of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Matt Cooke and Pascal Dupuis of the Pittsburgh Penguins
• Derek Lee autographed baseball
• Jacob Turner autographed baseball
• Tyler Moore game worn autographed hat
• Paul Molitor autographed baseball
• 2011 Eastern League All-Star Game team autographed baseball set (Eastern Division baseball and Western Division baseball)
• Autographed Jose Iglesias Portland Sea Dogs jersey
• 2011 Reading Phillies Opening Day team autographed baseball
• Richmond Flying Squirrels Prize Pack (various giveaway items, a t-shirt and hat)
• Set of 2011 Trenton Thunder Bobblehead Dolls (Cano, Hughes, Pettitte home, Pettitte road, Jeter, Banuelos/Bettances, Pettitte statue)

New items will continue to be added to the auction through its completion in December so be sure to visit the site often to see what is available. Some of the items that will be added along the way include:

• Derek Jeter authenticated autographed baseball
• Portland Sea Dogs honorary bat kid for a game
• Carlos Santana autographed bat
• Andrew McCutchen autographed bat

This is just a small sample of the items that will be added over the coming weeks so make sure to visit the site regularly and put a bid in for some these great collectibles while also helping out two Eastern League communities.

--COURTESY SEA DOGS COMMUNICATIONS--

Wilson Dominant in Dogs' 5-2 Win

Alex Wilson (Photo MESN)

Alex Wilson put together his finest outing of the season, going 7 strong innings without a walk in The Sea Dogs 5-2 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Wilson picked up his 7th win of the season and showed why he was deserving of his All-Star game selection. Three runs in the second and two in the seventh were enough offense for the Sea Dogs and Wilson, who have won 5 of their last 6 games.

CLICK FOR POST GAME AUDIO

Wilson was dominant from the get-go, allowing only 1 hit through 4 innings while facing the minimum number of batters. When he did face adversity, like putting runners at the corners with one out in the fifth, he relied on his fastball to get batters out. Wilson's efficiency was aided by the fact he didn't walk a batter and didn't face a three-ball count until the last batter in the fifth.

Portland looked like it would score the game's first run in the bottom of the first, loading the bases on a single by Alex Hassan and two walks. However, Matt Spring couldn't resist swinging at the first pitch, and flew out to right to end the inning.

The Sea Dogs would get on the board an inning later, thanks to some solid hitting and some help from the New Hampshire defense. Oscar Tejeda led off the inning with single through the right side of the infield. Tejeda would make it to 2nd when Jon Hee bounced a pitch back to Fisher Cats starter Zach Stewart, who threw the ball into the dirt in front of 2nd, and Tejeda was safe. Mitch Dening then singled to left-center to drive home Tejeda. Jeremy Hazelbaker then singled to load the bases. Hassan ground into a double play, but Hee was able to score. Chih-Hsien crushed a double to score Dening, and it was quickly 3-0 Dogs.

The Sea Dogs made Stewart throw pitches in bunches early, racking up 65 in his first three innings of work. But after giving up a one-out double to Matt Spring in the third, he would get 11 straight outs to finish off his outing with 100 pitches.

The Fisher Cats would end Wilson's shut-out bid in the top of the seventh as Travis d'Arnaud blasted a solo home run over the monster in left field. It was one of the few mistakes Wilson made in seven innings of work. d'Arnaud was the only New Hampshire batter to really be successful against Wilson, getting 3 of the hits given up by Wilson.

The Sea Dogs would tack on two insurance runs in the seventh inning. Hassan walked on a 3-2 count with 2 outs. Chiang then lined a 3-2 pitch from reliever Matt Daly to left to put two men on with two outs. Will Middlebrooks doubled both men home with a drive deep to right to make it 5-1.

Kyle Fernandes came on in relief of Wilson, and after two quick outs ran into some trouble. He gave up a single to Callix Crabbe, who would score as the next batter, Justin Jackson lined a hit past the glove of a diving Dening for an RBI triple. Blake Maxwell came on and got the final out of the eighth by getting Mike McDade to fly out on the first pitch. Maxwell would pitch a 1-2-3 ninth for the save.

Wilson improved his record to 7-4, while lowering his ERA to 2.70, the lowest on the team for a starter. he allowed just 1 run on 5 hits, with 3 strikeouts and no walks.

Maxwell picked up his 7th save for the Sea Dogs, and his ERA sits at just 1.08.

The Sea Dogs offense was led by its 3 All-Star hitters: Hassan, Chiang, and Middlebrooks. They trio combined for 4 hits, with 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and 2 walks. Chiang's double was his team-leading 23rd of the season. Hassan picked up his 7th stolen base of the season in the first inning, which is 2nd on the team behind Hazelbaker.

The Sea Dogs finished the 8-game homestand at 5-3 by taking 3 of 4 from the Fisher Cats, who are in second place in the Eastern Division, 17 games ahead of the Sea Dogs.

The Sea Dogs now head out on the road for 8 games, 4 each in Binghamton and New Hampshire before the All-Star break.

POST GAME AUDIO
Manager Kevin Boles

Pitcher Alex Wilson

-WIL KRAMLICH-

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.

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-

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

7 Run 2nd All Sea Dogs Need in Win

The Sea Dogs decided to be efficient in game 2 of a doubleheader against the Trenton Thunder. Portland scored all 7 of its runs in the 2nd inning, holding on to split the twin-bill 7-5. A Home Run by Will Middlebrooks, his 7th of the year, led the Portland attack in the inning.

After a tough loss in the first game, the Sea Dogs didn't look much better to start of the second game. Reliever turned Starter Jeremy Kehrt got the first two men of the game out. The third out would prove to be not so easy. Bradley Suttle walked on a full count, then Cody Johnson doubled to put two men in scoring position. Jose Gil singled to bring home Suttle, then Addison Maruszak hit a bloop just over the glove of 2B Oscar Tejeda to score Johnson. Jose Pirela would reach base on an error by Jon Hee to load the bases, but DeAngelo Mack would ground out to end the inning.

Portland looked to score a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, as Ryan Lavarnway singled with two outs. However, The DH would get gunned down at the plate trying to score from 1st on Chih-Hsien Chiang's double.

The Sea Dogs made up for lost time getting that first run, as Middlebrooks led off the 2nd inning with a solo Home Run off the bottom of the video board in left center. Trenton starter Cody Arbiso then would get the next two batters out before Mitch Dening stepped to the plate. Dening walked, and #9 hitter Will Vazquez followed by getting hit by a pitch. Lead-off hitter Jeremy Hazelbaker then walked to load the bases. Hee would make up for his earlier error, doubling down the 3rd-base line to score 3 runs and give Portland the lead. After Lavarnway walked, Chiang doubled to score Hee. Middlebrooks then doubled to bring 2 more runs home, giving him 3 RBIs in the inning on 2 hits. That knocked Arbiso out of the game without getting out of the 2nd inning. Switch pitcher Pat Venditte came on in relief and got Jorge Padron to strike out swinging.

Trenton would get 2 runs back in the 3rd inning. Suttle led off with a single, then Johnson hit a deep fly ball to center that Hazelbaker badly misplayed. Suttle would score on the play, and Johnson would make it all the way to 3rd. Gil then grounded out to bring home Johnson, making it 7-4 Sea Dogs.

The Thunder would score another run in the 5th, making it interesting for Sea Dogs fans. Gil hit a one-out double off the Monster, then scored one out later on a single through the infield by Pirela. Those two hits were the only dents in the relief outing by Eammon Portice, who picked up his first win of the year.

Kehrt's final line was 3 2/3 innings pitched, with 5 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), with 2 walks and no strikeouts. It was Kehrt's first start of the year, due to it being a doubleheader.

Arbiso's record fell to 3-2 with the outing today. He went 1 2/3 innings, giving up 7 runs on 6 hits, with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. His ERA now sits at a robust 5.87.

Venditte pitched solid in relief, confusing batters from both sides of the mound. In 4 1/3 innings, he only gave up 2 hits, and struck out 4. The Sea Dogs were lucky to get runs early, as Venditte was dominant over the last 4 innings.

Portice also pitched well in relief. He went 3 1/3 innings, giving up just 1 run on 2 hits, with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. He evened his record to 1-1, and his ERA sits at an even 4.00.

Middlebrooks went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and a run scored. Lavarnway and Chiang also had 2-hit games for the Sea Dogs. In the two games combined, Lavarnway went 4 for 6 with 4 RBIs, 4 runs scored, and 2 walks.

Thunder Strike in 5th Inning, Win 8-7 in game 1

Portland's firepower from the plate wasn't enough as the Trenton Thunder slugged 15 hits to win game 1 of a doubleheader, 8-7. The game featured 4 Home Runs, 3 by the Sea Dogs, but it was the 4-run 5th inning for the Thunder that proved to be the difference.

The Sea Dogs took an early lead in the 1st inning, as Ryan Lavarnway blasted his team-leading 9th Home Run over the monster. Thunder starter Kei Igawa (a former Yankee big-leaguer) had given up 3 runs without getting an out. Naturally Igawa got out of the inning without another hiccup, sandwiching a ground-out with two strikeouts.

The Thunder would cut the lead to 3-2 in the 3rd inning. Cody Johnson hit a 2-run Homer to deep center after Austin Romine drew a lead-off walk against Portland starter Stephen Fife.

The Sea Dogs would answer with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the 3rd. Lavarnway led off with a walk on 4 pitches. 2 batters later Chih-Hsien Chiang cranked a 2-run Homer into the Pavilion in right field, making it 5-2 Portland.

Trenton would score 2 more runs in the 4th inning, as the pitchers were getting the short end of the stick. A single, a walk, and another single loaded the bases with no outs. Corban Joseph would then ground into a double-play, but Addison Maruszak would score on the play. Austin Romine would then hit an infield single to score another run, again cutting the Sea Dog lead to one run.

Trenton took the lead in the 5th inning, and wouldn't look back. Jose Pirela led off with a triple that went just over the glove of Alex Hassan in left field and bounced off the scoreboard on the Maine Monster. After Damon Sublett struck out, Maruszak hit a sacrifice fly to score Pirela and tie the game at 5-5. Yadil Mujica would then single on a grounder to 3rd, ending Fife's outing. Seth Garrison would come on in relief, but with no different result. Garrison gave up 3 straight hits, including a 2-run double by Joseph and an RBI single by Romine to make it 8-5 Trenton.

The Sea Dogs would score 2 runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit. Lavarnway hit another Monster shot to give him 10 homers on the season, and Will Middlebrooks hit an RBI double to score Tim Federowicz.

Lavarnway had a chance to end the game with a 3rd Home Run in the 7th, but struck out swinging, which was the first time the Thunder got the Sea Dog DH out. Federowicz would then pop out, and Middlebrooks grounded out to end the game.

Fife took the loss, his 3rd of the season. in 4 2/3 innings, he gave up 6 runs on 11 hits, with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Wilkins Arias picked up his 2nd win in relief. The lefty pitched 2 innings, giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, with 1 walk and no strikeouts.

Josh Schmidt picked up his 5th save of the season, allowing only Alex Hassan's lead-off single in the seventh before retiring the next 3 batters to end the game.

Every Thunder batter recorded a hit, as Maruszak finished 3 for 3 with an RBI, a run, and a walk.

Lavarnway went 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs, 3 runs, and a walk.

The Sea Dogs fall to 13-32 on the season, and the Thunder improve to 29-18.

Cats' Bats Erupt in 13-7 Win

Ryan Lavarnway (Photo Jason Gendron/MESN)

Not much seemed to go right for the Sea Dogs in the series finale against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Although the Dogs did manage to score 7 runs on 10 hits, they gave up 13 runs on 16 hits, struck out 13 times, and committed 5 errors.

The Sea Dogs actually got of to the better start in the game, scoring the game's first run on some misfortune by the Fisher Cats. Jeremy Hazelbaker would walk to lead off the bottom of the 1st, then promptly steal 2nd, then move to 3rd on a throwing error by the catcher. He would then score on a wild pitch with one out. It was all downhill from there for the Sea Dogs.

After setting down the Fisher Cats in order in the 1st, Miguel Gonzalez ran into trouble in the 2nd. He hit Mike McDade to lead off the inning, then gave up a hit, walked Travis d'Arnaud, then gave up an RBI single to catcher Yan Gomes to tie the game. Mark Sobolewski then hit a sacrifice fly to give the Fisher Cats the lead for good.

They would score 3 more runs in the 4th inning, knocking Gonzalez out of the game. He walked d'Arnaud to lead off the inning, then gave up a double to Gomes, putting men at 2nd and 3rd. After Sobolewski struck out, Crabbe would reach on an error by first baseman Jorge Padron, allowing 2 runs to score. Crabbe would move to 3rd on an error by right fielder Chih-Hsien Chiang. Crabbe would score on a sacrifice fly by Darin Mastroianni. Gonzalez would get caught in jam by giving up a double and a walk, bringing in Kyle Fernandes. The lefty reliever would then get McDade to strike out swinging to prevent any more damage.

The Sea Dogs would answer with 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Alex Hassan led off with a double, his 15th of the season. A single by Ryan Lavarnway and a walk by Tim Federowicz would load the bases. Will Middlebrooks then walked to bring home a run. Chiang then hit a sacrifice fly to right to score Lavarnway, cutting the deficit to 2 runs. However, Oscar Tejeda would strikeout, and Vladimir Frias flew out to get New Hampshire starter B.J. LaMura out of a jam.

The Fisher Cats broke the game open in the 5th inning. Fernandes gave up 3 straight hits to start off the inning, as d'Arnaud scored New Hampshire's 6th run. Gomes would score on Mastroianni's force out, then Adeiny Hechavarria unloaded on a pitch, jacking a 2-run homer to dead center.

The Sea Dogs would score 2 runs each in the 8th and 9th innings, as the game was out of reach. Lavarnway blasted a Monster shot in the 8th, and Hassan and Lavarnway hit RBI singles in the 9th to please the remaining crowd.

McDade's 6th homer of the year highlighted a 4-run 9th for the Fisher Cats, as they scored in 4 innings to Portland's 5 run-scoring innings.

LaMura evened his record at 3-3, going 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits (2 runs earned), walking 3 and striking out 7.

Gonzalez picked up his 2nd loss in his only 2 outings for Portland this year. The righty lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up 5 runs (3 earned) on only 4 hits, with 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, and 2 hit batsmen.

Every New Hampshire batter scored a run, and Anthony Gose was the only one not to record a hit. Every other Fisher Cat had multiple hits except Crabbe, and Gose did walk twice, too boot.

Lavarnway had a good night at the plate, going 2 for 5 with 2 runs and an RBI. Hassan, Federowicz, and Frias all had 2 hits as well.

The Sea Dogs begin a 4-day, 5-game series with the Trenton Thunder tomorrow night at Hadlock. Saturday features a doubleheader in the afternoon.
-WIL KRAMLICH-

Fisher Cats claw Sea Dogs 8-3

Michael Lee (Photo Jason Gendron/Maine Sports Network)

A day after roughing up a top pitching prospect, the Sea Dogs were the ones roughed up, as Rey Gonzalez fooled Portland hitters for 7 innings in an 8-3 Fisher Cat win. Travis d'Arnaud led a New Hampshire attack that roughed up Sea Dogs pitching for 16 hits. Gonzalez didn't allow a run until the 8th inning, when the Sea Dogs finally got to him.

The Fisher Cats got on the board early, scoring single runs in the first two innings. Darin Mastroianni led off the game with a single, then moved to 3rd on Adeiny Hechavarria's ground-rule double. Anthony Gose then drove home Mastroianni with a sacrifice fly to left, giving New Hampshire and early 1-0 lead. They would make it 2-0 in the 2nd on d'Arnaud's solo Home Run to right center.

The Sea Dogs didn't get a man on base until the 3rd inning, when they would strand 2 men on after singles by Jon Hee and Jeremy Hazelbaker.

The Fisher Cats broke open the game in the middle innings, starting with a Mike McDade RBI double in the 5th to make it 3-0. An RBI double by Craig Stansberry followed by a 2-run Home Run by Callix Crabbe in the 6th made it 6-0 New Hampshire. They would add two more runs in the 7th inning, as d'Arnaud's RBI double scored Moises Sierra, and Stansberry's sacrifice fly scored d'Arnaud.

The Sea Dogs finally managed to crack the scoreboard in the 8th inning, and in the process put a dent in a good outing by Gonzalez. Hazelbaker and Alex Hassan hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Chih-Hsien Chiang then tripled to deep center to drive in 2 runs, ending the outing for the Fisher Cats starter. A one-out sacrifice fly off of reliever Ronald Uviedo from Will Middlebrooks would score Chiang.

Gonzalez' final line was 7+ innings pitched, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits, with 1 walk and 5 strikeouts. He improved his record to 6-1 on the season, and his ERA sits at a slim and trim 1.72. Uviedo and Evan Crawford each pitched a scoreless, hitless inning of relief.

Michael Lee falls to 1-4 after going 5 1/3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 9 hits, with no walks and 5 strikeouts. That's now back-to-back outings for Sea Dog starters not giving up a walk and getting at least 5 strikeouts.

Caleb Clay got roughed up in relief of Lee, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. His ERA ballooned to 10.43 after the appearance.

Eammon Portice threw 2 innings of 2-hit ball in the 8th and 9th, as the outcome of the game had all but been decided.

Hazelbaker had another strong day at the plate, going 2 for 3, with a run and 2 walks. The young outfielder did prove to be an adventure in center, showing questionable positioning and approach on more than one occasion.

With the loss the Sea Dogs are now 13-28 on the season. They will look for their 14th win of the season, and their 11th at home tomorrow night as they play the 3rd game of a 4-game series against New Hampshire.

Late Inning Surge Pushes Phillies to 13-4 Win

The Phillies must have taken some offensive notes from the Sea Dogs last night, because they put a beating on the Dogs pitchers, cranking out 13 runs on 14 hits in a 13-4 win. The Phillies scored 10 of those runs in the final three innings, as there was no relief for Portland's relievers. Matt Rizzotti hit two Home Runs late to pace the Reading attack.

Like last night the Phillies scored a run in the top of the first. Freddy Galvis led off the the game with a stand-up triple down the first base line. He would later score on a sacrifice fly by Stephen Susdorf.

The Sea Dogs would answer in the bottom of the inning, as Tim Federowicz singled home Che-Hsuan Lin to tie the game at 1-1.

The second and third innings belonged to the pitchers, as Reading starter Ryan Edell recorded two 1-2-3 innings, and Sea Dog starter Michael Lee allowed only a single by Rizzotti.

The teams would trade runs again in the fourth inning. Susdorf led off the inning with a double, and would score on a sac fly by Derrick Mitchell, as the Phillies executed some small ball. Ryan Lavarnway would tie it up in the bottom of the inning, lining a solo Home Run off the left-field foul pole atop the Maine Monster.

The Sea Dogs would take their first lead of the game in the fifth inning, taking advantage of some Reading defensive blunders. Oscar Tejeda led off the inning by reaching on a fielding error by Rizzotti. Jon Hee then singled, to put two men on. Chih-Hsien Chiang smashed a double to right that just stayed inside the park to score Tejeda. Hee would later score on a sacrifice liner by Alex Hassan. That made it 4-2 Sea Dogs after 5 innings.

Cesar Cabral would come on in relief of Lee in the sixth, making his Hadlock Field debut. It was not the debut Cabral or the Sea Dogs had in mind, as he gave up 5 runs (4 earned) on 5 hits in an inning and a third. In the sixth inning, Susdorf would reach on an error by Cabral, and then score on a single by Carlos Rivero to make it 4-3.

The Sea Dogs had a chance to get some breathing room in the bottom of the sixth, as Federowicz led off with a single to center. He would move to third on a one-out double by Jorge Padron. It looked as though he would score the 5th run of the game for Portland on Tejeda's line-out to left, but the Phillies tagged 3rd base, and Federowicz was called out for leaving too early to end the inning.

The wheels came off for Cabral in the seventh inning. Fidel Hernandez led off with a single to short that Hee couldn't handle. A double from Galvis would bring home Hernandez to tie the game. After Matt Miller walked, Rizzotti broke the tie with a 3-run Home Run into the Portland bullpen in right field. Santo Luis would come on in relief of Cabral and get the next two batters to strike out to end the inning.

The Phillies would bring in 2 more runs in the eighth, thanks in no part to some ugly Portland defense. Rivero led off the inning with a single. Mitchell then grounded to third baseman Will Middlebrooks, but would reach when no one was covering first. Rivero would then make it to third when no one backed up Middlebrooks. So a potential double-play turned into men at the corners with no outs. After Hernandez popped out in foul ground, Rivero scored on a Tuffy Gosewisch single, followed by Mitchell scoring on a Galvis sacrifice grounder.

The Phillies would hit double-digits in runs in the ninth, nearly equaling the 14 runs the Sea Dogs put up the night before. Rizzotti led off the inning with his 2nd Home Run of the night. Cody Overbeck then singled off the monster, and Susdorf walked on 4 pitches, ending Luis's night. Caleb Clay came on in relief, but even he couldn't stop the bleeding. He allowed the first batter he faced, Rivero to smash a 2-run double over Lin's head in center. Back to back ground outs would score Rivero, and Reading was finally done doing damage, as Gosewisch popped out to end the inning.

Rizzotti and Rivero each had 3 hits for Reading, combining for 7 RBIs and 4 runs. Miller was the only Phillie batter without a hit, but did walk twice and score a run.

Lavarnway's fourth inning Home Run was his team-leading 7th of the season. He was one of three Sea Dogs to collect 2 hits, as Federowicz and Hee also did so.

Michael Lee did not factor into the decision, but pitched 5 strong innings, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. He threw 53 strikes on 83 pitches. Cabral took his first Double-A loss, and in a short time has seen his ERA balloon to a robust 27.00. Tyson Brummett picked up his second win of the year, pitching 2 2/3 innings of relief, giving up no runs on 2 hits, no walks, and 2 strikeouts. That lowered his ERA to 1.35.

The two teams face off again tomorrow in the rubber game of the three-game series, as it will be a noon start on get-away day.
-WIL KRAMLICH-

DOGS BEAT TRENTON 5 - 2

Chih-Hsien Chiang didn't have had any hits at the plate, but he was one of the biggest contributors for the Portland Sea Dogs on Saturday night. The Portland left fielder drove in a couple of runs, while also throwing out Austin Romine at home plate, as the Sea Dogs defeated the Trenton Thunder, 5-2 at Waterfront Park.

In the top of the second inning, the Sea Dogs scored first. Lars Anderson led off the frame with an infield single, and was followed by Ray Chang, who doubled down the left field line. Two batters later, Chih-Hsien Chiang stepped in, bringing home Anderson with a ground out to second.

Stephen Fife and Ryan Pope got the nods for their respective clubs, and proceeded to pitch very well for the next three innings.

Pope began to tire in the top of the sixth, and Portland took advantage. Once again, it was Anderson and Chang setting the table, except this time, Anderson doubled, and Chang singled. Jose Iglesias loaded the bases, rifling a single off of the Thunder starter, loading the bases for Chiang. The Sea Dogs' left fielder picked up his second RBI of the night, knocking in Anderson with a fly ball to right. The visitors added two more runs in that inning, on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Ryan Kalish.

The Thunder ended the Sea Dogs' shutout bid in the bottom of the sixth. Jose Gil led off with a double, moved to third on a Damon Sublett single, and scored on Reid Gorecki's grounder to short. Gil was in the game for Austin Romine, who was ejected after being gunned down at the plate by Chiang in the third.

Portland needed just one pitch to regain their four-run advantage, as Nate Spears led off the seventh with a towering home run to right field.

Both starting pitchers saw their nights end in the sixth, and both were the pitchers of record. Stephen Fife (1-1) picked up his first win in Double-A for Portland, going five-plus innings, allowing one run, five hits, and three walks, while striking out five. Ryan Pope (0-2) was the losing pitcher for Trenton, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, seven hits, and five walks, while striking out five.

TJ Large took over for Fife, going 2 2/3 scoreless innings in his first appearance of the season. Anderson and Chang were two of the other bright spots for the Sea Dogs, as both players had two hits, while reaching base three times each.

The Sea Dogs now lead this series 2-1. They and the Thunder will conclude their four-game series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05. Felix Doubront (2-0, 3.21) makes the start for Portland, going up against Trenton's Jeremy Bleich (1-1, 2.04).

RECAP AND BOX SCORE

COURTESY PORTLAND SEA DOGS

METS POUND ON SEA DOGS

Home runs were the story of Tuesday night's game at Hadlock Field, as the Binghamton Mets went deep three times in a 15-3 win over the Portland Sea Dogs. Kirk Nieuwenheis led the offensive attack for Binghamton, going 5-for-6 with a three extra base hits, and four RBI.

The Mets got the scoring started right out of the gates. Kirk Nieuwenheis led off the game with a single up the middle, and Nick Evans drove him in with a home run to right-center.

Ryne Miller kept Binghamton off of the scoreboard during the top of the second inning, but the visitors got one big hit in the third. After a lead-off groundout by Nick Evans, the Mets received three consecutive walks. With Zach Lutz, Lucas Duda, and DJ Wabick all on base, Jose Coronado drove a grand slam over the right field wall, giving his club a 6-0 lead. Miller finished the third inning, but was pulled before the fourth, allowing six runs, five hits, and four walks, while striking out five. The Portland right-hander suffered the loss, dropping his record to 0-1 on the season.

Control issues plagued the Mets as well, as the Sea Dogs got their first run in the bottom of the fourth. Nate Spears was hit by a pitch to start the frame, and three batters later, Ray Chang knocked him in with a single to right field. Portland's offensive output continued in the fifth, when Luis Exposito picked up a two-run double to left field.

As the game progressed, Binghamton salted away the win, closing out the Sea Dogs, 15-3.

Scott Shaw (2-0) was the winning pitcher for the Mets, going five innings, allowing three runs, four hits, and four walks, while striking out two.

For Portland, Nate Spears became the seventh different position player to pitch in a game with the Sea Dogs. In one inning, Spears allowed three runs on two hits, while walking one.

The Sea Dogs and Mets will conclude their three-game series on Wednesday afternoon at 12:00. Kyle Weiland (0-1, 5.40) will make his third start of the season for Portland, opposed by Binghamton's Mike Antonini (1-1, 7.27)

Box Score and Recap

DOGS SPLIT DH, KELLY PITCHES 3 STRONG

Game One - The Sea Dogs and Trenton Thunder participated in Turn up the clock day, wearing the uniforms of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees respectively. Trenton looked like the Yankees in the 1st inning, opening the scoring early with back to back doubles by Austin Krum and David Adams to take a 1 - 0 lead over the Sea Dogs. 

The Thunder took a 2 - 0 lead in the 4th with a very odd play. The Thunder's Luis Nunez hit a liner to right field that looked like Sea Dogs left fielder Ryan Kalish would get to it. Kalish did not, but short hopped it and quickly got it into shortstop Jose Iglasias who clearly tagged 2nd for the force. Iglasias then threw to 3rd baseman Ray Chang, who tagged the Trenton runner for what should have been the third out. The Sea Dogs started to leave the field, but the umpire crew stopped them saying there were only 2 outs. Manager Arnie Beyeler came out for a short argument. The crew ruled that Iglasias missed 2nd base, allowing Brandon Laird to score. Dogs pitcher Steven Fife got Justin Snyder to fly out on the next play. 

The Thunder tacked on another run in the 5th on a Laird RBI single.

The only run for the Sea Dogs came in the 9th when Lars Anderson turned on a fastball and blasted it halfway up the US Cellular Pavillion for his 2nd Hr of the season, ending the scoring giving the Thunder the 3 -1 win. 

Game Two - Red Sox top prospect Casey Kelly got his first Hadlock Field start in the rainy 2nd game of the day. Kelly effectively worked through the 1st getting allowing the only 2 hits he would allow, but stranding both runners. 

Ryan Kalish opened the Sea Dogs half of the 1st with a walk. He promptly stole 2nd and moved to 3rd on a passed ball by Trenton. Luis Exposito delivered Kalish home with a Maine Monster double and Lars Anderson doubled to left plating Exposito to put the Sea Dogs up quickly 2 - 0. 

Kelly then went to worked and retired the next 6 batter in a row, with 2 strikeouts looking to end his day with 3 innings. Kelly went 3, allowed 2 hits, 0 runs and had 2 Ks.

Eammon Portice started the 4th inning for the Sea Dogs and was promptly greeted with a Brandon Laird blast off the Coke sign in left center field. Portice settled down, and pitching took over the rest of the way as the Sea Dogs win the second 2 - 1.

Next Game in the home stand in Monday against the Binghamton Mets. 

Check out Photos and Post Game Audio below. 

 POSTGAME AUDIO

Casey Kelly -
Manager Arnie Beyeler -

KELLY GETS 1ST AA START

PHOTO JEFF SCHOOLS/CMSB MEDIA

New Britain, CT- The Portland Sea Dogs got off of the bus on Monday night, and their bats were certainly ready. The Sea Dogs put four runs on the board in the first inning, and that proved to be plenty, as Portland defeated the New Britain Rock Cats 8-2 in the first of three games at New Britain Stadium.

Ryan Kalish and Nate Spears started the rally with a couple of singles. Luis Exposito drove in Kalish with a sacrifice fly, before consecutive RBI doubles by Yamaico Navarro and Ray Chang. Jose Iglesias kept the strong inning going, knocking in Chang with a single to right.

FULL STORY HERE COURTESY PORTLAND SEA DOGS

4/12/10 GAME HIGHLIGHTS COURTESY US CELLULAR RADIO NETWORK