Offensive explosion in the Bronx

September 24 2010,
Well here we are, the last baseball game for me in 2010. Yankee Stadium Bronx New York, NY. Red Sox vs Yankees. Dosn't get better than this. With the Sox struggling this season with half of the infield, and 2/3 of the outfield out with season ending injuries the Sox come to New York hoping to play spoiler for the playoff bound Yankees. Pitching matchup for the game is Josh Beckett and Andy Pettite. Both pitchers have been hit with the injury bug this season. (Beckett coming into the game with a 5-5 record, Pettite 11-2)
Things started of very well for the Sox. After a double from Big Papi and a error from Nick Swisher, Jed Lowire hit a 3 run homerun in the rightfield bleachers. 3-0 Sox! It was clear that Andy Pettite did not have his best stuff that night. He lasted only 3 1/3 innings giving up 7 runs. Darnell McDonald hit a 2 rbi double then Marco Scutaro followed with a rbi single. After a single from JD Drew the night for Andy Pettite was over.
As far as Josh Beckett goes he looked great for the first 5 innings, only giving up a solo homer from Curtis Granderson. In the top of the 5th inning Bill Hall hit a 3 run homer into the leftfield seats. The score stood at 10-1. Easy win huh? It wasn't that easy. In the bottom of the 6th Mark Texeria hit a home run.
(10-2 Sox) Then Alex Rodriguez hit career homer #609. (10-3 Sox) So far through 6 innings despite giving up 3 homers Beckett still looks good. In the bottom of the
7th after 2 quick outs Beckett walked Derek Jeter then Nick Swisher launched a homer into the seats in right field. (10-5 Sox)....Getting a little nervous but things are still in control.
After the Swisher homer Tito removed Beckett and brought in righthander Scott Atchison. Atchison who was a late addition to the team in spring training has had a really good season. Meanwile after a walk to Mark Texeria Alex Rodriguez came up and launched homerun #610. (That homer passes Sammy Sosa for 5th all time in Major League History.) The score now still at 10-7 Sox. I'm thining to myself at this point.... "We had a 10-1 lead!!!" Yikes! After a scoreless top 9th inning. Tito brings in Johnathan Papelbon to close out the game. Pap who has had a rough year with 9 blown saves.
Leadoff hitter Derek Jeter strikes out! One out. Nick Swisher flies to center. Two out!!! Mark Texeria...... Homerun to right! Doh!!! (10-8 Sox...Nail biting time) Up next Alex Rodriguez walks. Robinson Cano up next representing the tying run.............strikes out! Game Over!!! That one just too crazy. But its a win we'll take it. So thats it after 19 Sea Dogs games 3 Red Sox games the season is over for me.
Next up: Sea Dogs Home Opener April 7, 2011.......Are we there yet?

Dogs finish season with a win

September 6 2010- Sea Dogs vs New Hampshire
Well the last game of the season for the Sea Dogs ended with a win. Also the 19th game for myself (ties my 2005 record). With Portland trailing 2-0 in the first inning Nate Spears hit a leadoff homerun that was also his 20th homerun of the season. Starting for the Sea Dogs on the mound was right-hander Alex Wilson. Wilson who has a up and down season with Portland since being called up from Salem. Entering the game he has gone 3-5 with a 6.63 era. Wilson in this game pitched 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 9 hits.
Portland bats came alive in the 3rd and 4th inning, when Anthony Rizzo hit his 20th homerun of the season. That gave him 25 homers and 100 rbi's between both Salem (single A) and Portland. (20 homers with Portland) With the score 6-4 Portland. Dogs went to the bullpen bringing lefthander Kyle Fernandes. Fernandes (who is from Westport, MA) just called up from Salem pitched very well. 2 2/3 innings, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts. I would expect him to be in Portland's bullpen on opening day 2011. So going into the 9th inning Daniel Turpen recorded the side in order to end the game. The Sea Dogs finished well in 2010 winning their last 5 and 9 of 10. They finished the season 70-71 (third place in the eastern league).
The next Sea Dogs game April 7 2011. Can't wait!
Next game: One more game this season Boston at NY, Fri Sept 24 Yankee Stadium

Pitching and offense

September 5 2010 - vs New Hampshire #18,
Nice cool "fall-ish" day at Hadlock Field. Sea Dogs took on the New Hampshire FisherCats in the next-to-last game of the season. Starting for the Sea Dogs was right hander Stephen Fife. Entering the game Fife had a 7-6 record with a respectable 4.80 era. After pitching a scoreless inning and a 1-0 lead for Portland Fife got into trouble in the 2nd with a bases loaded walk. Next batter for New Hampshire Johnathan Jaspe hit into a 4-6-3 double play (a run did score on the play). Portland however in the 3rd inning would return the favor with their own bases loaded walk of their own from Anthony Rizzo. With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 5th (w/ 2 out) Ryan Khoury stroked a double scoring Rizzo who was the runner on second. That made the score 3-2. Next inning Nate Spears launched his
19th homer of the season. A 2 run shot that made it 5-2 Portland. In the bottom of the seventh Portland batted around the order scoring 4 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. Jason Rice closed out the 9th inning for Portland.
Next up: September 6, last game of the season.

Wild one at Hadlock

August 19 2010 - #17 vs Altoona
Lets see where to begin with this one. Starting for Portland on this sunny day was righthander Kyle Weiland. After retiring the leadoff hitter Josh Harrison hit his 2nd homer of the season. 1-0 Altoona. 2nd inning Weiland could not find the strikezone walking 3 batters in a row. Then facing the number 9 hitter for Altoona got a base hit driving in one. Next batter hit a sac fly to drive in another run. 3-0 Altoona.
Josh Harrison who hit is 2nd homer earlier came up again and hit his 3rd homer of the season! 6-0 Altoona. Not looking good. But the Sea Dogs bats would wake up. In the bottom of the 4th inning Nate Spears came up and hit a 2 run homerun to make the score 6-2. Portland would continue to chip away the score. Anthonoy Rizzo would come up in the 6th hit a solo homerun to make the score 6-3.
Going into the bottome of the 7th. Altoona starter done after 5 innings the Portland bats exploded scoring 6 runs. Including a grand slam from Anthony Rizzo that went over the left-centerfield scoreboard. Luis Exposito hit a homer after Rizzo's slam. This inning however got started on a solo homer from dh Ryan Lavarnway. So 10 batters batted in the 7th, 6 hits, 6 runs, 3 homeruns. Score stood now at 9-6 in favor of Portland.
Things got a little interesting in the top of the 8th Ryne Reynoso was the pitcher for Portland. After a strikeout he gave up a single and double then a sac fly to make the score 9-7. Then Kris Watts of Altoona hit a fly ball to rightfield that looked like it was going to end the inning. But was lost in the sun. Portland rightfielder Chih Hsien Chang could not make the play as it fell. After a hit by pitch and another single to drive in another run for Altoona the score stood at 9-8 Portland.
Things settled down in the 9th as Reynoso recorded the final 3 outs 1-2-3 to end the game. Final score Portland 9 Altoona 8.
Next up: Possibly Aug 29 Portland at New Hampshire

Good game from Alex Wilson

August 17 2010 - #16 - vs Altoona
On the same day Dustin Pedoria came off the DL for the Boston Red Sox, the Portland Sea Dogs got shortstop Jose Iglesias back on the field. Iglesias who sufferd a wrist injury on May 9 had not played in a game since. The Sea Dogs took on the Altoona Curve to begin a 3 game series. The AA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates are have a good season. (1st place in the Western Division of the Eastern League) Starting for the Sea Dogs was right hander Alex Wilson. Wilson for the first 3 1/3 did not allow a hit. Consistantly fastball in the mid 90's. Wilson gave up his 1st hit in the 4th on a bunt single by Curve 3b Josh Harrison.
Meanwhile offensively things looked good for the Sea Dogs early on. Top of the 1st Ray Chang hit his 9th homer of the season. After singles from Luis Exposito and Anthony Rizzo, Ryan Lavarnway flied to right field to end the inning. In the second inning Portland got on the boared again on a rbi single from Che-Hsuan Lin. Portland loaded the bases with but with two out Luis Exposito flied to leftfield to end the inning. In the top of the 4th inning after the bunt single from Harrison with 2 out Wilson gave up a long double to Jordy Mercer then a rbi single to catcher Hector Gimenez.
In the 5th with a runner on second Wilson gave up a rbi single to Jim Negrych. That made the score 3-2 Altoona. After a 1-2-3 inning in the 6th Alex Wilson's night was done. Despite giving 3 runs in the 4th and 5th. Wilson did look good pitching 6 inings 5 hits 3 runs 2 walks 3 strikeouts. Offensivly the Sea Dogs could not rally againsed the Curve pitching. Portland would end the game with a 4-2 loss. Iglesias who played in his 1st game since coming of the DL went 1-5 but made several nice played in the field.
Next up: Aug 19 vs Altoona 12pm game

Dogs fall just short

August 5, 2010 vs Bowie (game #15)
A hot muggy but cloudy afternoon at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs played the Bowie Baysox in the 3rd game of a 3 game series. It started out rough for Portland starting pitcher Jeremey Khert. First two batters for Bowie got on base with a single and double. Khert then got Tyler Henson and Joel Guzman to fly out and ground out. Then thirdbaseman Brandon Waring singled in 2 runs. After a walk and then hit by pitch Khert got Adam Donachie to fly out to end the inning.
Bowie got another run on the boared with a rbi single from Joel Guzman. In the bottom of the 4th inning Portland scored on a sacrifice fly from Will Vazquez. With the Baysox leading 4-1 in the bottom of the 6th Portland scored 2 runs on a 2 run double from secondbaseman Nate Spears. (who went 3-5 in the game)
Going in to the bottom of the ninth Bowie closer Pedro Beato got Ray Chang to fly to left, Ryan Lavarnway ground to third, and Anthony Rizzo to pop to shortstop to end the game. Well if your looking for my pictures from this game, you won't find any. I forgot to put the camera in the backpack. So no pics for this one.
Next up: Possibley Pawtucket Red Sox Aug 18

Dogs get the bats out

August 3, 2010
Well back at Hadlock for this game. The Sea Dogs are playing the Bowie Baysox in the start of 3 game series. Starting for the Sea Dogs was righthander Stephen Fife. Going into the game the last few starts Fife had been struggling. It showed for 3 innings in this game. In the first inning he gave up 3 hits on 1 run. Would have worse but Bowie firstbaseman Joe Mahoney grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Sea Dogs anwered a run of their own in the bottom of the inning with Nate Spears lining a double to rightfield scoring Che-Hsuan Lin who led off the inning with single.
Stephen Fife struggled with his command for the next two innings. His totals for the game looked like this 3 innings 8 hits 5 runs 3 walks 3 stikeouts. Going into the bottom of the 3rd Portland was trailing 5-1. After singles by Ray Chang and Luis Expsito, Anthony Rizzo hit a double scoring Chang. 2 batters later Ryan Khoury singled in Exposito and Rizzo. In the bottom of the 4th Anthony Rizzo came up again with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Rizzo then ripped a double off the rightfield fence scoring both runners to give Portland a 6-5 lead.
Blake Maxwell came in and pitched 3 innings and held Bowie only to one run while striking out 2. In the bottom of the 6th Portland batted around the order scoring 5 runs on 5 hits. It was an inning where Portland had 2 doubles, 1 triple and 2 singles. Afer scoring 2 more runs in the 7th inning Portland had a 14-6 lead. Bowie scored 2 more runs but it was meaningless Portland ended up winning
14-8. Good way to start the homestand.
Next up August 5: Day game againsed Bowie

Good pitching and timely offence

July 22, 2010- Sea Dogs vs Harrisburg Senators
Well game number 13 for me, and a perfect clear night at Hadlock Field. Tonight the Sea Dogs took on the Washington Nationals double a team Harrisburg Senators. The starting pitcher for the Sea Dogs was righthander Alex Wilson. Wilson who was promoted from single a Salem earlier in the season making his eighth start with Portland. Starting for Harrisburg was southpaw John Lannon. Lannon was accually the Washington Nationals opening day starting pitcher in 2009 and 2010. So interesting that he down here in double a making his 6th start.
So going into the 5th inning score tied at 1-1 Portland secondbaseman Nate Spears who was tied with Anthony Rizzo with 10 homers to lead the team hit a solo homerun to make the score 2-1 Dogs. The score stood at 2-1 until the 6th when in the bottom half of the inning the Dogs batted around the order scoring 2 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks and a sac fly. In the bototm of the 7th Chih Hsien Chiang who got off to a terrible start in the begining of the season hit a 2 run homerun to make the score 8-1. Sea Dogs added one in the 8th. Final score Portland 9, Harrisburg 1.
Next up: August 3 back in Portland

Chang and Rizzo power Dogs

July 11 2010, Game #12,
A muggy rainy day at Hadlock Field. The Dogs had Casey Kelly on the hill on this afternoon. Going into the game Kelly had a 1-4 record with a 5.45 era. While the numbers are a little disapointing, the Portland righthander (who was a part time shortstop last season) Had a good afternoon pitching 5 1/3 innings giving up just 5 hits on 2 runs. While this is the first time he has been a full time pitcher in pro baseball his machanics and stuff are improving and perhaps could be in line for a promotion to triple A Pawtucket next season.
Offensivly for the Dogs Eastern League all star Ray Chang hit a solo homerun in the 2nd inning. In the 4th inning firstbasman Anothny Rizzo hit his 9th homerun for Portland since his promotion this spring. It was a good day all around for the Sea Dogs. Final score Portland 7, New Britian 3.
Next up: July 22 (back in Portland, Adrian Gonzalez bobble head night)

Fisher Cats slip past Dogs

July 5 , 2010- Game #11
It was a beautiful summer day at Hadlock Field. One day after independence day the Sea Dogs hosted the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Starting for the Sea Dogs tonight was right-hander Kyle Weiland. Despite going into the game with a 4-5 record. He has a respecable 3.95 era. With the Dogs trailing 1-0 in the 2nd Luis Exposito belted a solo homerun. Then Matt Sheely with a runner on 2nd hit a double to the rightcenter gap. 2-1 Dogs.
But it wouldn't last long. Fisher Cats answered 2 runs in the bottom of the 4 when David Cooper belted a homer half way up the right field pavillion. Kyle Weiland went on to pitch 6 innings giving up just 5 hits on 3 runs. So a good outing for the Portland righthander. But it was not the night for the Sea Dogs. Adam Loewen hit a 2 run homer in the 8th innings to give New Hampshire a 5-3 win.
Next up: July 11 back in Portland for #12

Wolves drop the Dogs

Sea Dogs vs Sea Wolves, June 17 2010 - Hadlock Field
Well it was another first for me at Hadlock Field. But lets not get ahead of ourselfs. On the night that the Celtics lost to the Lakers in the finals (Damn Koby Bryant) the Sea Dogs took on the Erie Sea Wolves. Jeremey Kehrt was the starter for Portland this night. He never really got into a good groove on the mound. In 5 innings of work he gave up 4 runs on 4 hits. Meanwhile Brooks Brown who was the starter for Erie was in complete control for the whole game. That righthander pitched a nine inning complete game victory. Probley the first I've ever seen in the minor league level. Brown pitched 9 innings giving up just 5 hits on one run.
Next up June 28 back in Portland

Dogs drop game 2

June 5, 2010- Portland vs Reading Phillies - doubleheader game 2
Well after a thunderstorm in between games at Hadlock the Sea Dogs played the Phillies in game two of the doubleheader. Portland got on the board first in the first inning. After a walk to Ryan Khoury, Anthony Rizzo doubled to score Khoury. Next batter Yamico Navarro then singled in Rizzo. Dogs took a quick 2-0 lead. Bottom the third inning Portland scored twice again to take a 4-0 lead. But the lead did not last. Reading came back to beat Portland 8-4 in extra innings. I did not see that. I left after the 5th inning. With the rain in between games it was getting very late. But a great day for baseball.
Next up June 17- back to Portland

Casey Kelly earns first win

June 5, 2010 vs Reading Phillies(Game 1 of a doubleheader)
Portland righthander Casey Kelly earned his first victory for his aa career. The 1st round 2009 draft pick pitched 6 shutout innings giving up just 4 hits. He pitched around the strike zone mixing up his pitches. The only Reading batter to get a extra base hit was Tuffy Gosewisch when in the 3rd inning he hit a double to right-center.
The Portland bats had a good game too. In the second inning after a single and a error thirdbaseman Ray Chang belted a solo homerun to left-center into the netting below the scoreboard. Portland added another homerun in the 5th when firstbaseman Anothony Rizzo cracked one over the right field fence. In the end of game one of the doubleheader Portland won 6-0.

Helllooooo Mike Cameron

May 23, 2010
Well back in Portland for game number 7. A pleasent suprise when I saw the lineups and Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron in the leadoff position. He was still in Portland rehabing and abdominal issue. The starting pitcher for the Sea Dogs was Robert Coello. This was his first start for Portland. He tool the place of Felix Drobront who was promoted to AAA Pawtucket a week earlier.
Coello did not dissapoint though. He pitched 5 innings only giving up 4 hits and 1 run. More impressivly he did not issue a walk. The Sea Dogs held a 6-1 lead in the top of the 6th inning. Mitchell Herold came in to pitch the 6th and 7th innings. In what was is AA debut he did not fare well. 2 innings pitched, 5 hits, 5 runs (all earned), 3 walks, and 1 strike out. So the score stood at 6-6 going into the top of the 10th inning.
Mike Cameron at this point had 2 hits in the game. Paul Bush who had pitched 2 scoreless innings while striking out 3. Suprisingly though he came back out to pitch the 10th innings. Camerun ran the count to 3-2. On the 5th pitch of the at bat..... Baaammmm! Over the left-center field fence for a walk off homerun!!! The crowd went nuts. Definetly a memorble day Hadlock Field.
Next up: June 5 vs Reading (doubleheader)

Sox at Phillies

May 21, 2010
Well there I was, for the 1st time ever I was in Philadelphia PA. Sox vs the Philadelphia Philles. First about Citizens Bank Ballpark, Lovely ballpark opened in 2004. Very clean park, easy to get to in and out of. Interesting thing about the ballpark you can bring outside food in! So on to the game. The starters were John Lackey and Cole Hammels. Lackey who has been fairly inconsistant this season was not paticular great. He lasted 5 innings only gave up 4 hits but walked 5. Sox offense got on the boared first with Victor Martinez hitting a solo homerun. It remained 1-0 until the 4th when Ryan Howard hit a solo homerun tying the game. Shane Victorino then drove in Jayson Werth to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th it was Jayson Werth again with a 2-run homerun. In the meantime Cole Hammels was very good for the Phillies pitching 7 innings 3 hits 1 run 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. In the end this was not the night for the Sox.

Welcome back Jacoby!

May 18, 2010
Welcome back to Portland Jacoby Ellsbury. The former Sea Dogs and current Red Sox outfielder was back in Portland for a rehab appearence for the Sea Dogs. This was not a planned trip for me to see the Dogs play today but when news broke that Jacoby was coming to Portland, well I had to go. The Sea Dogs played the New Britian Rock Cats. Felix Doubront pitched for Portland. Coming into the game he is 3-0 with a sub 2 era. He pitched very well. Pitching 7 shutout innings scattering 8 hits, walking 1 and striking out 6.
The Sea Dogs got on boared first in the first after a walk to Ellsbury, a single from Lin, and Ryan Kalish reached second on a error by NB secondbaseban Steve Singleton. With the error that scored Ellsbury. Luis Exposito then hit a sac fly scoring Lin from third. The score stood 2-0 until the 8th when NB came to life by hitting 4 straight singles. That is all they would score. The Sea Dogs won the game by a close 2-1 score. As far as Jacoby goes he went 0-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Next up: Sox at Philly