Hernandez promoted…Clemens in the house
BETTER LATER THAN NEVER: The Sea Dogs are now 7–2 since the All-Star and are two games under .500 (13–15) in the last 28 games…Portland and New Hampshire continue the four game series tonight…The ‘Dogs have had success against the ‘Cats winning 12 of 19 so far this season…Portland and New Hampshire have seven games remaining, all at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester.
STOLMY STELLAR, BUTLER SAVES THE DAY IN 3–2 WIN: The Portland Sea Dogs trailed heading into the ninth, but plated two unearned runs in the ninth to take home the 3–2 win over the Fisher Cats. Kevin Howard committed two throwing errors in the ninth that led to two Portland runs scoring. Dan Butler was hit by a pitch, moved to third on a fielder’s choice and throwing error and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly to left by Reynaldo Rodriguez…In the bottom of the ninth Butler allowed a runner to reach on a passed ball on a strike out, but the catcher hosed Brad Glenn when he tried to steal second to end the game…Stolmy Pimentel started for the fourth straight time against New Hampshire, and once again was on point…Pimentel went seven and allowed just one run on six hits…Jeremy Hazelbaker hit a solo shot to right-center to put the Sea Dogs up 1–0 in the third.
PIMENTEL LEADING THE PITCHING CHARGE: Pimentel has worked consecutive 7-inning stints, and notches his team-leading sixth quality start of the season…Portland’s staff has been scoreless in 27 of their last 29 innings pitched…Since the All-Star break, they’ve compiled a 2.42 ERA (21 ER/78.0 IP)…Tonight, Will Latimer makes his second career start — both will be against New Hampshire.
TOP OF THE ORDER HAS BEEN TOP NOTCH: Over the past four games, four players have hit in the top three places in the order and combined to go 18-for-47 (.383) with five home runs, 15 RBI, 17 runs scored, five doubles, and two triples. Smith and Hazelbaker have led the charge over the three games with 14 of the 18 hits.
MONTHLY DAP: The Red Sox awarded RHP Brock Huntzinger with Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors and Hazelbakerwith Minor League Base Runner of the Month honors for the month of June…Huntzinger went 1–0, 1.80 ERA and two saves in 9 games in June…Hazelbaker is hitting .280 (42-for-150), 10 HR, 32 RBI since June 1st.
WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs continue the four-game roadtrip tomorrow night with game three of a four-game weekend series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate) at 7:05 PM…On Monday, Portland returns home for a short three-game homestand against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate).
Lineups for Friday (7:05 PM start)
Portland: Bradley Jr. 8, Hazelbaker DH, Smith 5, Rodriguez 3, Butler 2, Hissey 7, Bermudez 9, Gibson 6, Dent 4, LHP Will Latimer (1–3, 3.86)
New Hampshire: Marisnick 8, Goins 6, Sobolewski 5, McDade 3, Glenn 9, Ochinko 2, Van Kirk DH, Bocock 4, Tolisano 7 RHP Ryan Tepera (3–1, 3.56)
RADIO NETWORK: Catch every game on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network: Flagship Stations: WPEI 95.9 FM & WPPI 95.5 FM (Portland/Topsham)…Network Affiliates: WOXO 92.7 FM Norway, WTBM 100.7 FM Mexico, WERZ 1240 AM Lewiston/Auburn, WTME 780 AM Rumford, WKTQ 1450 AM South Paris…Online: seadogs.com & milb.com and IPAD/Smartphone: Tunein app — search Portland Sea Dogs Radio Network.
