Rain, Rain and more Rain

July 22 2013-- Well went to Coney Island to see the Brooklyn Cyclones take on the Batavia MuckDogs. It was a slightly showery drive to Coney Island but nothing too bad. But of corse once we got there the sky opened up and came the rain. boo! Well we waited a while but it just wasn't going to happen. The game did go on much later that night but givin the 2 hour drive we had back to Connecticutt it was just too long of a wait. But that's alright though. Ate at the famous Coney Island Nathans Hot Dog stand. (My favorite type of dog) We did get into MCU Park. Interesting that it is a artificial turf park. According to the research I did. The turf was put in before this season. I suppose there are a number of events there (concerts and such) so turf was the way to go. But despite the rain it was a neat day going into the city and seeing Coney Island for the first time. Its definetly a trip I'll have make again sometime. Next Up: Headed to New Britain to see the Sea Dogs take on the Rock Cats!

Tough breaks for the Sea Dogs

July 18 2013 Off to Portland again for the Sea Dogs vs Reading "Fighting Phil's" formally known as the Reading Phillies. (I like that name better) A lovely cloudy day. It was so hot lately I was worried about the heat during the game. (Temps in the 90's here on the coast of Maine.) Portland had been struggling with the bats. While the pitching has been pretty good the offense has been struggling, scoring only 3 runs in their last 55 innings! Thats just not going to do it. Pitching for the Sea Dogs was right hander Terry Doyle. Doyle pitched the last game I went down. He pitched very well. So I was expecting another good outing.

He started off well retiring the first two batters. Then gave up 2 hits. However Reading made a base running mistake on trying to advance on a wild pitch. The ball however bounced off the brick came right back to catcher Christen Vazquez and he threw him out at third. Reading would get on the scoreboard in the second inning on a 3 run homer by catcher Sebastian Valle. He would have a big game by driving in 5 on two homers. Portland scored in the 4th inning. Garin Cecchini tripled to right center but he ended up scoring on a throwing error by the shortstop. After a strikeout Michael Almanzar singled. He was stranded at first however.

Terry Doyle settled in a pitched 6 solid innings. The third inning was his only rough inning. The Sea Dogs scored 3 runs in the 8th inning. Stephen Drew who was in Portland rehabbing a sore hamstring doubled in two runs. Gibson pinch ran for him. He ended up scoring on a Almanzar single. The play of the game however came in the top of the inning when Sea Dogs shortstop made a costly 2 out error the scored a run for Reading. The next batter Valle hit is second homer of the game. Reading would go on to score another run in the top of the ninth. And that's how the game would end. Another tough loss for the Sea Dogs. Next up: Headed to Cony Island to see the Brooklyn Cyclones at MCU Park.

Pitching Duel in Portland

July 8 2013 Well last game before the all star break. The Sea Dogs taking on the New Britain Rock Cats in the final game of a 5 game series. A nice cloudy and cool 68 degree day at Hadlock. It has been in the 80's and 90's recently so it was quite refreshing. Since last I was in Portland, 2 of the starters had been recalled to Pawtucket (Brandon Workman and Drake Britton) Also Xandier Boegarts was called up to Pawtucket. But Garin Cecchini was called up from Salem to take over at third base. He's only hitting .400 since his call up.

While Britton was suppose to be the starting pitcher today. He was called up to Pawtucket. So pitching for the Sea Dogs was right hander Terry Doyle. This was his 1st start with the Sea Dogs. He spent all last season Pawtucket. Pitching for the Rock Cats was Virgil Vazquez. Vazquez previously spent Major League time with the Tiger and Pirates in 2007 and 2008. Signed as a minor league free agent looks like it was going a tough day for the Sea Dogs. It was going to be a interesting day when the 3rd batter of the game the Manager for New Britain got thrown out for arguing on a check swing.

Both pitchers matched zeros until the top of the 4th inning when Daniel Ortiz launched a long homer in the right field pavillion seats. While Doyle was pitching well in his Sea Dogs debut Vazquez was fantastic. It wasn't until with 1 out in the 6th that the Sea Dogs got their 1st hit. A little bloop single of the bat from Derrik Gibson. It was in the 5th inning when Jordan Parraz hit a long home run over the Maine Monster in left field. That gave the Cats a 2-0 lead. With the way Vazquez was dealing 2-0 felt like a 12-0 game. But Terry Doyle didn't make a fool of himself. He was dealing pitching 8 innings allowing 7 hits on 2 runs. Any other day problem in line for a win. But not this day.

When the 9th inning rolled around, the Sea Dogs down by 2. Derrek Gibson with the only hit for Portland singled. After a fly out from Shannon Wilerson Peter Hissey lined a single. Then Garin Cecchini got a single of his own that brought in a run to make to 2-1. The Rock Cats stayed with Vazquez. It felt like a rally was happening. The Sea Dogs just needed a extra base hit to win it. Tony Thomas struck out. Then Micheal Almanzar lined a fly ball to right. Looked good off the bat. But was not ment to be. It was caught and the game was over. So after 2 hours and 5 mins Virgil Vazquez pitched and complete game 4 hitter. Quite a performance. But Doyle pitched real good too. If he continues to pitch like that, he will be a big asset in the rotation in the 2nd half of the season.

Sox beat Halo's

June 9 2013 Beautiful day at the old ballpark. The LA Angels came into town to play the Sox.

On the hill for the Sox was right hander Ryan Dempster. Dempster has pitched well this season but not much run support. It was looking like it was going to be one of those days when Albert Pujols launched a solo homer into the Red Sox bullpen.

Dempster would settle down. He went on to pitch 6 innings 6 hits 3 runs 6 K's. Sox did however did bring the lumber With three on base in the third inning David Ortiz hit a 3 run homer. Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a day going 2-4 with 2 homeruns with 4 rbi's. Interesting note in the game. The next at bat after Pujols hit his homer Dempter hit him with a fastball in the elbow. Not sure if he ment to but Albert did stare out a Dempster for a little while. Nothing happend after that. Mike Carp a late spring training addition having quite a season for the Sox added a homerun of his own.

Additional note this was the first game at Fenway for my buddy DJ. He had a good time! I think we got a new Red Sox fan on our hands!

Rough Day for Matt Barnes and the Sea Dogs

June 2 2013 Well finally got to see Red Sox top pitching prospect Matt Barnes. He had a very nice month of May. Unfortanitly this was not the case for Barnes againsed the Altoona Curve. It was a very warm and windy day at Hadlock. The wind on this day was blowing straight out. So going into this game I had the feeling that it was going to be a lot of homeruns and offense. Barnes pitched a 1-2-3 first inning. However they were long fly outs, 2 to center to the track and 1 to left field. But in the 2nd inning it came apart for the top prospect. The first 2 batters hit home runs, then a single, then a hit by pitch. After he struck out the next two batters it looked like he was settling in there. But then Mel Rojas Jr singled to load the bases. The right fielder Dickerson for Altoona launched a grand slam. A no doubter to center field. Cutler singled next for Altoona and that was the day for Barnes. 1 2/3 ip 6 hits 7 runs 2 strike outs. Pitching for the Altoona Curve was right hander Corey Sadler. He pitched very well going into the 6th inning. It was wasn't until the 6th when Sea Dogs put together 4 runs when they batted around the order. But it was too little too late . The Curve had a commanding 12-4 lead after 6 innings. Cunningham and Dickerson each had 2 homers. Not the day for the Sea Dogs. But that will happen. Altoona scored 1 more run. They won the game 13-6. Next Up: June 9 Sox vs LA Angels at Fenway

Rainy, Cold day at Fenway

May 25, 2013 Well after a week of alumni game, Sea Dogs game, a game in Pittsburgh it was all wrapped up in Boston for a game againsed Terry Francona and the Cleveland Indians. I was a little nervous going into this game. It was very cold and rainy so there was a little question if they game would get in. (I'be never had a major league game postponed) Thankfully the rain held up and the tarp came off with no delay. So off I went to section 36 row 5 seat 13 in the mist and fog. But that's alright. I'm at Fenway and I'm happy. Interesting pitching matchup for the game. Jon Lester who was 6-1 going into the game was opposed to former Tampa Bay Rays lefty Scott Kazmir. Kazmir once a dominate pitcher has been hurt and was pitching last season for the Independent League's Sugarland Skeeters. But he has been givin a shot by the Indians. Indians scored first by 2 out rbi double from Nick Swisher. Red Sox bounced back in the bottom of the second when Pedro Ciriaco lined a hit scoring Jose Iglesias. While Jon Lester had a nice bounce back start from last year, he did struggle with his command during the game. It was however like I said very cold. Of corse typical Memorial Day weekend weather. (Not really) He gave up 2 more runs in the 3rd when Asdrubal Caberera and Carlos Santana got singles off him. The highlight of the inning came when Caberera was thrown out at home plate from Jonny Gomes in left field. So with the Indians leading 3-1 Sox got another run when Daniel Nava scored on an error from right fielder Ryan Rayburn. Sox tied it in the 6th on a Jonny Gomes sac fly to center field. Kazmir did a good job on the mound. He pitched 5 innings giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks on 6 strike outs. On the other side Jon Lester settled in pitched a scoreless 4th, 5th, and 6th. Manager John Farrell kept him in there the 7th innings when he threw a 2 out wild pitch that allowed the go- ahead run to score for the Indians. Joe Smith pitched a scoreless 7th inning for Cleveland. In the 8th Tito brought in righty Vinnie Pastano. At the end of the inning he wishes he didn't. Sox went on to score 4 runs. It was highlighted by a big pinch hit double from Mike Carp which tied the game. Dustin Pedroia followed that with a double of his own to put the Sox ahead for good. Going into the 9th inning Andrew Bailey came in to record the save to give the Sox a 7-4 win. So a wet wild day at the old ballpark. It was interesting sitting in the bleachers again. Haden't sat up there since 2002 ironically vs Cleveland. Its kinda the frat section of the ballpark I think. Next up: June 3: Sea Dogs vs Altoona

Cubs vs Bucs at PNC Park

May 22 2013 Well, first off this was my first trip to Pittsburgh. We drove from my aunt and uncles house from Connecticutt. I did not realize how long a state Pennsylvania is. It very green, lots of hills and overall a very pretty state. But did not realize how long of a state it is. Oh well. So before I get into the game I'll talk about the ballpark. What a fantastic park! This is the 9th ballpark/stadium I've been to. So far I think this one ranks near or at the top. First off you park across the Allegheny River. Parking was only 5 bucks! Then you walk over the Roberto Clement Bridge which they close to for people to walk across on game days. Once your across the ballpark opened hour and a half before game time. I walked in there the mail enterence behind home plate. Walking up to the grandstand is a fantastic view of the ballpark with the Pittsburgh skyline from left center to the foul pole in right. After that I went to explore the ballpark and its features. I will say the staff and people at PNC Park could likely be some the most nice people I've ever met! Everyone was real welcoming, asking how my day was... so on and so on. You don't get that in Yankee Stadium. lol. So just walking around the ballpark the sight lines are fantastic. Where ever you go you got a great view of home plate and the entire field. I walked up to the 2nd deck. Fantastic View! Wow! Its even better then I saw in the pictures I saw online. Now it had been raining off and on through out the day. I was confident that the game would go on as scheduled but I was a little nervous about a possible delay. There was a delay to start the game but it was only 10-15 minutes. As far as our seats were. Great Seats! In the lower bowl section. Right above the dug out. Only 35 bucks! Wow! So not a bid deal. Now the Pirates are playing the Cubs. Interesting pitching matchup. Former Twins fireballer Francisco Liriano was the starter for them. Nice pick up for them. He was coming off arm surgery last year. He threw a no hitter a few years back. For the Cubs was there opening day starter Jeff Samardzija. Pittsburgh got on board in the bottom of the 1st on a 2 out double by Garret Jones. That scored Andrew McCutchen. And that was it for scoring in the game. Both pitchers brought their best stuff. Liriano pitched 7 innings only allowing 2 hits 0 runs 1 walk 9 k's. Former Sox right hander Mark Melancon got the save in the 9th. Samardzija was just as good. 7 innings 3 hits 1 run 1 walk 8 k's. Tough loss for the former Notre Dame quarterback. Overall great visit to Pittsburgh would love to go back for another game. Perhaps when the Red Sox come back in interleague. Definetly would like to see more of the city too next time.