RYAN KALISH GOES 2 - 4 IN MLB DEBUT. #redsox #portlandseadogs

KALISH AT HADLOCK EARLIER THIS SEASON ON MLB UNI DAY (JEFF SCHOOLS PHOTO)

Congratulations to one of the true good guys Ryan Kalish for his MLB debut in Boston. Ryan's hard work has paid off and I have a feeling Red Sox Nation will soon realize what this kid brings to the table. Here is to a looooong stay in Boston Ryan!

 

SEA DOGS AND SENATORS GO 11 BUT DOGS LOSE 3-2 #redsox #portlandseadogs

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS GAME STORY
The Portland Sea Dogs and Harrisburg Senators battled through a very entertaining game that needed a few extra innings on Friday night. In the end, an RBI single by Tim Pahuta in the eleventh inning was the difference, as the Senators defeated the Sea Dogs 3-2 at Metro Bank Park.

For the fourth straight game on the trip, the Sea Dogs opened the scoring in the top of the first. Che-Hsuan Lin started the game by getting hit by a pitch, and advanced around to third on a base hit by Nate Spears. After Ray Chang struck out, Luis Exposito singled to left field, knocking in Lin for his 71st RBI of the season, as well as his sixth in two nights against Harrisburg.

In the second inning, the Senators tied the game. Jesus Valdez led off the frame with a triple to right-center field. Adam Fox followed with a groundout to short, but the ball was hit deep enough to score Valdez.

After that, the starting pitching became the story, as Jeremy Kehrt and Tom Milone were spectacular. The two combined to keep the score tied at one through the first six innings of the ball game, allowing a combined total of seven baserunners in that span.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the seventh inning, as Portland retook the lead. Anthony Rizzo singled on the first pitch he saw, and three pitches later, Yamaico Navarro ripped a triple to right-center field. However, Harrisburg came back in their half of the seventh, knotting the game at two. Tim Pahuta led off the frame with a double. After a pair of outs, Danny Espinosa walked, and Michael Martinez singled, knocking in Pahuta with the tying run.

The tied score led to no-decisions for both starting pitchers. Kehrt went six and two-thirds innings for the Sea Dogs, allowing two runs, seven hits, and one walk, while striking out two. Milone went seven innings for the Senators, allowing two runs and six hits, while striking out eight.

The game remained tied until the eleventh inning, when the Senators walked off with a victory. Chris Marrero led off the frame with a double, and advanced to third base on an error by Nate Spears. After Adam Fox was intentionally walked, Tim Pahuta delivered a base hit to right field, scoring pinch runner Josh Johnson with the winning run.

Cole Kimball (3-1) got the win for Harrisburg, pitching two and one-third scoreless innings. Ryne Lawson (5-4) suffered the loss for Portland, allowing one run in one-third of an inning. Honorable mention goes to Blake Maxwell, who tossed three and one-third scoreless innings for the visitors.

The Sea Dogs and Senators will play game three of their four-game series on Saturday night at 7:00. Portland has yet to name a starter, while Harrisburg's starting pitcher will be Jordan Zimmermann, who is on a rehab assignment.

LUIS EXPOSITO HOMERS TWICE, BUT DOGS LOSE 10 - 5 #portlandseadogs #redsox

OFFICIAL PORTLAND SEA DOGS RECAP
Luis Exposito did all he could for the Portland Sea Dogs on Thursday night, as he hit two home runs and drove in five. However, the Harrisburg Senators got a two-run homer from Marvin Lowrance, a three-run shot by Danny Espinosa, and a two-run double by Adam Fox, as they won the series opener 10-5 at Metro Bank Park.

Once again, the Sea Dogs got off to a good start in the top of the first. With two outs, Ray Chang gave the visitors some hope with a single up the middle. On the very next pitch, Luis Exposito introduced himself to the city of Harrisburg, bashing a two-run shot to left field.

Lavarnway Leads #SeaDogs to Win

To quote the great Yogi Berra, "It ain't over 'til it's over." The Portland Sea Dogs and Binghamton Mets found that out on Wednesday night, as the two clubs battled in a wild back-and-forth contest. Portland jumped out to a 7-0 lead, only to see Binghamton fight back to force extra innings with the score tied at nine. In the top of the tenth inning, the Sea Dogs went ahead for good, as Ryan Lavarnway crushed a two-run homer, giving the visitors an 11-9 win in the series finale.

For the second night in a row, the Sea Dogs got off on the right foot. With two outs in the first, Ray Chang and Luis Exposito picked up back-to-back singles. Anthony Rizzo then appeared to get hit by a pitch, but the ball ended up hitting his bat instead. Binghamton catcher Salomon Manriquez threw over the head of his first baseman, scoring Chang and Exposito with a pair of unearned runs.

One inning later, Portland extended the lead with a five-spot. Jorge Padron singled to start the inning, and Ryan Khoury followed with a flyout. After that, the visitors strung four straight singles together, as Chih-Hsien Chiang, Che-Hsuan Lin, Yamaico Navarro, and Ray Chang all hit it where they weren't. Three batters later, Ryan Lavarnway smacked a ground rule double down the right field line, scoring two more runs for a 7-0 lead.

Salomon Manriquez put the Mets on the board with an RBI single in the second, and one inning later, the Sea Dogs' lead was suddenly shrunk to two. With two down, Marshall Hubbard and Zach Lutz hit back-to-back run scoring doubles, and two batters after that, Manriquez drove in two more with a double of his own.

Both offenses were held at bay in the fourth and fifth innings, but in the sixth, Portland added some padding to the lead. Ray Chang took the second pitch he saw out to left field for his seventh home run of the season. Two batters later, Anthony Rizzo launched his 11th homer of the year to right field. Both longballs came off of reliever Edgar Ramirez, who allowed two runs on two hits in three innings.

Unfortunately for the Sea Dogs, the game was far from over. Zach Lutz led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a solo home run, and four batters later, Sean Ratliff hit a pinch hit three-run blast, tying the score at nine.

The game stayed tied until the tenth, when Portland retook the lead. Luis Exposito led off with a walk, and after a flyout by Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Lavarnway clobbered a two-run shot to left field, putting the visitors on top 11-9.

After allowing the tying homer to Ratliff in the eighth, Jason Rice preserved his win with a perfect tenth inning. In the game, Rice (2-2) went two and two-thirds innings, allowing just the home run, while striking out four. Manuel Alvarez (3-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing two runs on one hit in two innings.

The Sea Dogs will begin a new series on Thursday night at 7:00, when they visit the Harrisburg Senators. Kyle Weiland (5-5, 3.82) will get the call in the series opener for Portland, while Harrisburg will turn to Andrew Kown (5-4, 3.89).

Box Score/Recap

Audio Recap

--Courtesy Mike Antonellis--

#SeaDogs Fall to Mets in a Slug-Fest

(Binghamton, NY)- Tuesday night's game started well for the Portland Sea Dogs, who jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the third inning. However, the finish wasn't as pleasant, as the Binghamton Mets came back with five runs in the fourth, before ultimately taking the lead and not looking back. The Mets tied the three-game series with an 12-8 win, setting up a rubber game on Wednesday.

The Sea Dogs wasted little time in jumping on Binghamton starter Josh Stinson in the top of the first, putting four runs on the board. Che-Hsuan Lin and Nate Spears both singled, with Lin coming around to score on a sacrifice fly by Ray Chang. Luis Exposito followed with a walk, before three consecutive RBI singles by Anthony Rizzo, Yamaico Navarro, and Ryan Lavarnway.

In the second inning, the Mets cut the lead in half, as Joshua Satin singled, and Zach Lutz cracked a two-run homer to left field. However, Portland responded in the third with three of their own. Anthony Rizzo walked, then scored on three straight wild pitches. Yamaico Navarro also reached and advanced a base on a wild pitch, but scored on Jorge Padron's single. Two batters later, Padron scored, as Che-Hsuan Lin doubled to left.

Unfortunately for the visitors, the lead didn't last, as Binghamton came back with five runs in the fourth. Sean Ratliff, Joshua Satin, and Marshall Hubbard all singled, loading the bases. After Mike Nickeas popped out, Zach Lutz singled, Jose Coronado walked, Raul Reyes singled, and Nick Evans doubled, knotting the score at seven.

With starter Alex Wilson still in the game, the Mets took their first lead in the sixth. Mike Nickeas walked and Zach Lutz singled to start the frame. Ryne Miller replaced Wilson at that point, and induced a pair of groundouts. However, the Sea Dogs weren't out of the inning just yet. With two down, Nick Evans blooped a double to right that Chih-Hsien Chiang didn't see, giving Binghamton a 9-7 lead.

Chih-Hsien Chiang's RBI single in the seventh brought Portland within a run, but in the bottom half of the inning, Marshall Hubbard crushed a two-run blast, establishing a three-run lead for the home team. Jose Coronado added a solo shot in the eighth, as the Mets won 12-8.

Dylan Owen (4-1) picked up the win, tossing three and two-thirds scoreless innings out of the Binghamton bullpen. Alex Wilson (3-3) suffered the loss, allowing nine runs on ten hits in five-plus innings.

The Sea Dogs and Mets will conclude their three-game series on Wednesday night at 6:35. Stephen Fife (6-3, 3.73) will make the start for Portland, while Binghamton turns to Mark Cohoon (1-3, 6.37).

Box Score/recap

Audio Recap

--Courtesy Mike Antonellis--

JOSE IGLESIAS FOR SCOTT DOWNS..DON'T THINK SO! #redsox #bluejays #portlandseadogs #MLB #tradedeadline

PHOTO BY JEFF SCHOOLS CMSB MEDIA/MR SPARKY

I’ve seen this play before, and it has a nightmarish ending.

August 31, 1990. The Boston Red Sox were looking to solidify a not so great bullpen. The Blue Jays had top to bottom, one of the best staffs in baseball and trailed the Sox by 6 games.  Lou Gorman decided it was time to pull off the now infamous deal with the Houston Astros, Red Sox 3B prospect Jeff Bagwell for middle reliever Larry Andersen.

Ever wonder what the Red Sox did get out of Larry Andersen?  Well, how about 11 games, 1 save and the loss of the 6 game lead over Toronto, not all Andersen’s fault. While the Red Sox ultimately won the division, they were clean swept out of the ALCS by the Oakland A’s, and Andersen lost game 1, the sole purpose for Andersen’s existence on the Red Sox.

How did Jeff Bagwell do in Houston?  I think we all know how that went, minus the alleged steroid issues.

Let’s fast forward to 2010. The Boston Red Sox are 4 games out of a playoff spot looking to solidify a horrible middle relief situation. Downs is considered one of the best middle relievers in the game as we speak. He has a 4-5 record, allowed only 1 HR,  19 holds, a 1.05 WHIP and a 2.44 ERA in 46 games. Very good numbers for a middle relief guy no doubt. Better than what the Red Sox currently have (Delcarmen, Okajima..) , absolutely.

But is Scott Downs worth what will most assuredly be a steep asking price? Simple answer, NO…and here is why.

STATS – While I am not a Bill James-ian or a SABR Guru, I do know how to look at stats and draw conclusions out of what I see. When I look at Scott Downs performance this year, I see a troubling trend. Batters 1 – 4 in a lineup, any teams MEAT of the order, Downs is Plain Jane. He’s allowed 21 hits in 76 at bats for an opponent’s BA of .276. Downs feasts on the rest of the order allowing only 11 hits in 58 ABs with a batting average almost 100 points lower at .189.

CONTRACT – Just like Larry Andersen, Scott Downs is a free agent at the end of the season. Nuff said.

PRICE – Well here lies the rub!

Rumors and quotes from the Blue Jays organization have Scott Downs costing ANY team a pretty penny. For the Boston Red Sox, the cost will most likely be a Class A ballplayer combined with the likes of Jose Iglesias. Most reports have Toronto asking for Iglesias in any deal that would include Downs.
Folks trust me when I say, Jose Iglesias is as sure a thing as Jeff Bagwell was and ended up being 449 home runs later. Jose Iglasias will make you forget everyone in between Nomar Garciaparra and now. Hell, he might even make you forget Nomar too. Iglesias will not be the power threat any of the modern shortstop marvels are (Jeter, A-Rod, Nomar) but he just might provide you Ozzie Smith type D and hit .300 to boot.

Obviously 2010 has been a messed up year for Iglesias. He was injured on May 29th after being hit by a pitch on his right hand against New Britain. The injury has been described as a deep bone bruise, slight fracture and a sprain all in one. One thing for certain, Iglesias hasn’t seen the field, in a game, since that day.

What Iglesias has done since that day is be a great teammate, work on his English and work on his glove skills. Yep, you read it right, he has taken grounder after grounder and working solely on his glove skills, right out of the Dustin Pedroia taking grounders on his knees routine. I have personally seen him make glove passes to 2nd base during batting practice that would make Ozzie Smith blush..really…no exaggeration.

When healthy, Iglesias was a stellar defender, making spectacular play after spectacular play. Now he is 20 and was prone to the making the occasional play harder than it actually might be scenario, but none so egregious to make one think it will be a problem down the road. Every person that has seen Iglesias play knows this kid, given health and continued determination, will be a very special infielder for many years to come. What most scouts and people in the know had questions on Iglesias was his bat. Could the kid from Cuba come right into pro ball and adapt. Early projections have an emphatic yes. In all the many games I have watched Jose, he never look overmatched. He always had a good approach at the plate and always looked to work counts. All his batting approaches were right out of the Boston Red Sox school of batting. He stands at .306, 9 doubles, 3 triples and a .340 OBP. Now he does have 20 plus strike outs, but that sort of thing works its way out with more experience. BTW, the kid is only 20 and defected from Cuba to the US to play baseball. Just saying…

At the end of the day, I really want no part of Scott Downs, or any other middle relief help for any one of the Top 20 prospects in the Red Sox system. The cost is simply too high to pay for a wing and a prayer, Larry Andersen taught me that 20 years ago.

JEFF SCHOOLS

RYAN LAVARNWAY IS THIS WEEKS SEA DOGS PLAYER OF THE WEEK #portlandseadogs #redsox

Ryan Lavarnway joined the Sea Dogs last week and started hitting and really hasn't stopped. In the 10 games since joining the Dogs, Ryan has had 5 multi-RBI games, highlighted by a 5 RBI game against New Hampshire. Congrats to Ryan and welcome to Portland.