‘Dogs resume trip…Re-living a Moss moment

My All-Time Favorite moment in Sea Dogs History…Brandon Moss walks the ‘Dogs into the Eastern League Championship.

After a rainout last night, the Sea Dogs and Reading Fightin Phils open up a three-game series at First Energy Stadium…Last night was Portland’s third postponement this season…Monday’s game will be made up as part of a doubleheader when the ‘Dogs return to Reading in June.

Pete Ruiz Video Interview

Player moves:

Coverage begins at 6:15 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Pre-Game Interview: Steve Degler — former voice of the Reading Phillies.

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Bogaerts 6, Shaw 3, Linares 9, Thomas 7, Almanzar 5, Vazquez 2, Spring DH, Meneses 4, Workman RHP

Reading Lineup: Cartwright 6, Hanzawa 6, Collier 8, Murphy 3, Henson 5, Rupp DH, Valle 2, Mitchell 7, Hewitt 9, Rosin RHP

MOSS TO THE RESCUE AGAIN

• Guess it’s good I had trouble sleeping last night…I reached for my phone around 4:30 and checked Twitter, it’s something I do when I can’t sleep. I saw tweets from Buster Olney about the A’s and Angels game. I pulled it up on my phone and saw Moss’s homer…Ironically, former Sea Dog Jed Lowrie was at first.
• The Sea Dogs went on to beat the Akron Aeros in five games to capture their first ever E.L. Championship, but that moment in the N.D.C.S. was still my favorite moment. We all knew Moss was a special player. He had big hits in big spots, a formula that some players just shine in. I’m so happy he found a spot in Oakland with former Sea Dogs: Josh Reddick and Jed Lowrie.
• From my Game Notes on September 12, 2006 (Game was September 9th)
• Game 4 Rundown of the NDCS: Brandon Moss launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Sea Dogs to a 4–3 victory over the Trenton Thunder to win the Northern Division Championship Series, 3 games to 1. Moss threw out J.T. Stotts at the plate, the potential go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning, keeping the game tied at three. Portland trailed 3–2 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning but Luis Jimenez tied the game with a two-out RBI double down the left-field line, scoring pinch-runner Matt Van Der Bosch. Trenton took a 3–0 lead in the second inning, scoring three runs off Frank Brooks following a 90-minute rain delay. Brooks allowed just those runs in six innings on six hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Barry Hertzler worked two scoreless innings to earn his first post-season win. Scott Patterson worked an inning and 2/3 to suffer the loss. Brian Myrow had two hits, including his second post-season home run and an RBI double.
• PART TWO OF THE TRIP: After taking two of three from the Trenton Thunder, the Sea Dogs resume their roadtrip on Tuesday night at First Energy Stadium against the Reading Fight Phils…Portland dropped two of three to the Phils on April 8–10 at Hadlock Field…At 13–9, the ‘Dogs have the best record in the Eastern League, and hold a one-game lead over Reading for the top spot in the Eastern Division…The Sea Dogs have won all three road series this season, last year, they didn’t win their third road series until the middle of May.
• CLUTCH ALL AWAY AROUND: The Sea Dogs erased two early deficits, to beat the Trenton Thunder 9–5 on Sunday afternoon at Arm & Hammer Park…Michael Almanzar snapped a 4–4 tie with a two-run homer in the fifth, off losing pitcher Francisco Rondon…Drake Britton (2–2) retired the final 11 batters faced, to earn the win for Portland…Britton gave up four runs on six hits, two walks and a season-high, seven strikeouts…Shannon Wilkerson tied the game at four with a two-run double…Ryan Dent and Matt Spring each had 2 RBI for the ‘Dogs…Portland’s five stolen bases all scored.
• THAT’S A CAREER DAY FOR A CATCHER: Christian Vazquez stole two bases on Sunday, his first multi-stolen base game of his career…Vazquez went 2-for-4 and has hit safely in 10 of 11 games: 13-for-37 (.351).
• AND IT CONTINUES: 1B Travis Shaw extended his on-base streak to 21 games for the season and 22 dating back to 2012…Shaw went 2-for-5 on Sunday with two singles and leads the Eastern League with 22 walks…Trenton’s Kyle Roller currently has the best on-base streak this season at 22 games…Heiker Meneses has reached base safely in 18 straight road games, dating back to May 14, 2012.
• CAME TO AN END: The Sea Dogs lead the league with 10 triples, but did not have one on Sunday, snapping a six-game streak with at least one triple…Xander Bogaerts leads the team with three triples, which is tied for the top spot in the E.L.
• IT HAD BEEN A WHILE: Portland’s series win in Trenton was their first since April 22–25, 2010, when they took three of four…The Sea Dogs are looking to go four games over .500 for the first time since June 20, 2010, when they were 36–32…Portland has won seven of their last nine.
• WHAT’S ON DECK: Portland and Reading continue their three-game series tomorrow morning at 11:35 AM, and will also start at 11:35 AM on Wednesday…Portland returns home on Friday, May 3rd, opening up a six-game homestand against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins affiliate).

They even have ostrich at First Energy Stadium.