Lucky 7? We’ll see tonight in Binghamton
The Sea Dogs have won six straight (season-high) and continue their six-game roadtrip on Wednesday night against the Binghamton Mets from NYSEG Stadium. Right-hander Keith Couch (3–0, 2.20) makes his fourth start of the season, but the 19th of his Double-A career, he is 11–1, 2.82 ERA. Last night was Portland’s fifth postponement this season — they’ll have four doubleheaders in May, but four against Binghamton.
How about Mookie Betts… Has reached base safely in all 15 Double-A starts and 45 straight regular season games dating back to August 2, 2013, but 50 including last year’s Carolina League playoffs…Last 142 games for Betts (start of 2013): .330 (173-for-524), 17 HR, 72 RBI, 113 RS, 43 2B, 5 3B, 88 BB, 64 SO and 45 of 50 in SB.
Betts leads the Eastern League in: Average, On-Base Percentage, runs scored and tied for total bases.
Here’s some nuggets on the team
- With a win tonight, Portland will have their longest win streak since a 7-gamer last April 27-May 4
- ‘Dogs have won six straight road games — longest since 2011.
- Portland’s 12–4 start is their best since going 13–3 in 2008…The team’s best start is 19–3 in 1995 — Billy McMillon was on that team.
- 12–4 mark is tied for the 2nd best overall record with Las Vegas (Triple-A) and Visalia (High-A)…The Dunedin Blue Jays (High-A) have the best record in minor league baseball at 15–4 (.789).
Highlight of triple play from Monday
Pre-Game begins at 6:15 PM on 95.9/95.5 and the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network…Listen online at seadogs.com or watch at MILB.TV.
Pre-Game Interview: Matt Spring
Portland lineup: Betts 4, Marrero 6, Shaw 3, Welch 5, Swihart 2, Rivero DH, Ramos 9, Hissey 7, Wilkerson 8, Couch RHP (3–0, 2.20)
Binghamton: Ceciliani 8, Reynolds 6, Burgamy 5, Clark 3, Vaughn 9, Lawley 7, Taijeron DH, Carillo 2, Tovar 4, Peavey RHP (0–1, 6.75)
Notes for day…Complete notes at seadogs.com
THAT MAKES FIVE: Portland was postponed for the fifth time in 21 days to start the season, and conclude their six-game roadtrip on Thursday night against the Binghamton Mets from NYSEG Stadium…The Sea Dogs have won six straight and 10 of their last 11 — the 12–4 mark is their best start since going 13–3 to begin the 2008 campaign…The ‘Dogs have also won six straight road games for the first time since 2011…RHP Keith Couch (3–0, 2.20) makes his fourth start of the season and the 19th of his Double-A career (11–1, 2.82 in 18 starts).
IT’S SPRING TIME: DH Matt Spring clubbed his first homer of the season, a two-run homer in the 11th inning, lifting the Sea Dogs to a 5–3 win over the B-Mets on Tuesday night…Portland’s bullpen tossed 5.2 scoreless on 4 hits, 3 walks and 9 strikeouts…LHP Robby Scott (2–0) earned the win, fanning three batters on 2 hits over 3 IP…RHP Jon Velasquez (0–2) took the loss, yielding a lead-off single in the 11th to Henry Ramos and the two-run blast by Spring.
MOOKIE MADNESS: 2B Mookie Betts went 2-for-4 (two walks) on Tuesday and has reached base safely in all 15 Double-A starts and 45 straight regular season games dating back to August 2, 2013, but 50 including last year’s Carolina League playoffs…Last 142 games for Betts (start of 2013): .330 (173-for-524), 17 HR, 72 RBI, 113 RS, 43 2B, 5 3B, 88 BB, 64 SO and 45 of 50 in SB…C Blake Swihart has reached base safely in his first 13 starts in Double-A…OF Shannon Wilkerson has reached base safely in his last 14 games.
GOT OFF TO A GOOD START: RHP Mike McCarthy made his third start of the season on Tuesday night, working 5.1 innings on seven hits and three runs…McCarthy left the game after 1B Jayce Boyd’s run-scoring single to tie the game…SS Deven Marrero gave Portland a 3–1 lead with a two-run single in the fifth.
WELCOME BACK: RHP Aaron Kurcz was activated from the disabled on Monday, and pitched a scoreless eighth inning in game two of the series…The righty fanned the side and allowed one hit…Kurcz missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery, and had not pitched since July 21, 2012 at New Hampshire.
THREE WAS THE MAGIC NUMBER: Kurcz, McCarthy, RHP Michael Olmsted and Scott each fanned three in Tuesday’s game…Olmsted worked 1.2 innings on one hit, one walk and retired the final two batters in the sixth inning with two runners on base.
