Portland opens up a four-game weekend series on Friday night against the Binghamton Mets from NYSEG Stadium…Portland is 5-5 during a 17-game stretch against Binghamton and New Hampshire.

Coverage begins at 6:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Bogaerts 6, Thomas 7, Shaw 3, Almanzar DH, Vazquez 2, Meneses 4, Natoli 5, Johnson 9, Ranaudo RHP

Binghamton Lineup: Muno 4, Rodriguez 5, Puello 9, Dykstra DH, Vaughn 7, Ceciliani 8, Forsythe 2, Lucas 3, Tovar 6, Mazzoni RHP

Pre-Game Interview: Jason Varitek

Infielder Nick Natoli returns to Portland…He’s in the lineup tonight at third base.

Roster Move: OF J.C. Linares placed on the disabled list retroactive to May 21st…INF Nick Natoli assigned from High-A Salem.

Preview of today’s Game Notes

WEEKEND IN B-TOWN: The Sea Dogs open up a four-game weekend series against the Binghamton Mets on Friday night at NYSEG Stadium…Tonight marks the fourth series between the two teams and the second in New York…The ‘Dogs took two of three in Binghamton on April 15-17…Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo, who leads the Eastern League in ERA (1.67), makes his second straight start against the B-Mets…Ranaudo tossed five hitless innings at NYSEG Stadium on April 15^th in his first win of the season.

SOME MAJOR HELP: Franklin Morales and David Ross both did Major League Rehab Assignments on Thursday morning, as the ‘Dogs beat the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 8-4 at Hadlock Field…Morales tossed five innings and earn the win, allowing one unearned run on six hits, two walks and three strikeouts…Ross started behind the plate, went 1-for-3 with a run-scoring double, and left the game with Morales…Derrik Gibson went 3-for-4 with 2 RBI and 2 doubles…Portland built a 6-1 lead after two innings, scoring seven times off losing pitcher Matt Wright (1-1).

MLB REHAB UPDATE: Ross became the 31^st player to make a Major League rehab assignment with the Portland Sea Dogs and the 25^th as a Red Sox affiliate.MLB Rehabs as a Red Sox affiliate: Craig Breslow, Stephen Drew, John Lackey, Morales & Ross (2013), Andrew Bailey, Chris Carpenter, Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Rich Hill, Ryan Kalish, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ryan Sweeney (2012), Bobby Jenks (2011), Mike Cameron, Manny Delcarmen, Ellsbury and Jeremy Hermida (2010), Jed Lowrie, Matsuzaka and John Smoltz (2009), David Ortiz (2008), Wade Miller (2005), Lenny DiNardo (2004 & 2006), Casey Fossum (2003), Chad Fox (2003) and Matt White (2003).

MLB Rehabs as a Marlins affiliate: Luis Aquino, Chris Hammond and Gary Sheffield (1994) Charles Johnson (1995), Matt Mantei (1997), Kevin Millar (2002).

BEEN SAVING THE DAY: Brock Huntzinger made it 10-for-11 in save chances with his save in yesterday’s game…Huntzinger worked the final 1.1 innings, allowing a lead-off single to Ryan Schimpf in the ninth, but that was erased on a double play.

TWO OUTS, NO PROBLEM: Portland scored 19 of 39 (48 %) runs during the seven-game homestand with two outs…The ‘Dogs had two walk-off wins; Matt Spring’s walk-off grand slam on Saturday and Heiker Meneses’ RBI single on May 22^nd in the 10^th inning.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Binghamton Mets continue their four-game series tomorrow night at NYSEG Stadium, game time is 7:05…Portland has won five of nine from the B-Mets this season…The ‘Dogs are 5-5 during a 17-game stretch against New Hampshire and Binghamton.

Portland and New Hampshire continue their four-game series on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs took game two last night 5-3.

Coverage begins at 5:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

New Hampshire Lineup: Pillar 8, Nolan 6, Schimpf 5, Robinson 3, Glenn 9, Loewen 7, Van Kirk DH, Ochinko 2, Tolisano 4, Tepera RHP

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Bogaerts 6, Thomas DH, Almanzar 5, Shaw 3, Vazquez 2, Vitek 7, Meneses 4, Johnson 9, Barnes RHP

Pre-Game Interview: Matt Spring

Preview of today’s Game Notes

CHANCE TO WIN THE HOMESTAND: The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats play game three of their four-game series on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field…Portland snapped a two-game losing streak with last night’s victory, and can win the homestand with victories in the final two games of the series…Portland is back in first place by themselves, holding a one-game lead over the Binghamton Mets…Matt Barnes, the top pitching prospect in the Red Sox system according to Baseball America, makes his ninth start of the season for the Sea Dogs. 

SPRING TO THE RESCUE AGAIN: C Matt Spring clocked a three-run double with two outs in the seventh, leading the Sea Dogs past the Fisher Cats, 5-3 on Tuesday night…Spring is responsible for both wins this homestand, blasting a walk-off grand slam on Saturday against Binghamton…Keith Couch (2-1) hurled three hitless innings with a walk and four strikeouts to earn the win…Brock Huntzinger pitched the ninth to earn his ninth save of the season…Deck McGuire suffered the loss for New Hampshire, giving up four runs on nine hits over 6+ innings. 

VERY CONSISTENT: Infielder Michael Almanzar is leading the Sea Dogs in the three main offensive categories: average (.290), homers (8) and RBI (30)…Almanzar gave Portland a 2-0 lead with a first-inning homer last night…The Portland infielder has hit safely in 12 of his last 14 games: 15-for-53 (.283), 3 HR, 12 RBI, 3 2B and has reached base safely in 35 of 40 games this season.

Matt Spring is on fire as of late (photo courtesy of Kelly O’Connor by Sitting Still Photography)

SOMEBODY SAVE ME: Huntzinger made it 9-for-10 in save chances with last night’s save, and has not allowed a run in 9 of 10 outings since April 21^st (ER/13.0 IP)…The right-hander has two wins and five saves in his last seven appearances…Couch had his first scoreless outing of the month, earning his first win since April 22^nd.

THAT’S A SEASON HIGH: Heiker Meneses went 1-for-4 last night with a single in the seventh…Meneses has a season-high, six-game hitting streak: 8-for-22 (.364) and has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 starts: 13-for-40 (.325), 3 RBI, 3B, 2 2B.

MONSTER MAY (MORE ON SPRING): Spring is hitting .364 (12-for-33) with all five homers and 12 RBI this month…The former Tampa Bay farmhand is hitting .226 (72-for-318), 16 homers and 52 RBI in 92 career games with Portland.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate) conclude their four-game series tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM – marking the first ever morning game at Hadlock Field…Portland is 3-5 during a 17-game stretch against New Hampshire and Binghamton.

Portland and New Hampshire continue their four-game series on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs fell to the ‘Cats last night 7-3.

Coverage begins at 5:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

New Hampshire Lineup: Pillar 8, Nolan 6, Schimpf 5, Robinson 3, Glenn 9, Loewen 7, Van Kirk DH, Ochinko 2, Zazueta 4, McGuire RHP

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

Preview of today’s Game Notes

Matty Johnson joins the Sea Dogs today from High-A Salem. (photo courtesy of Kelly O’Connor of Sitting Still Photography)

WE SEE THESE GUYS A LOT: The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats play game two of their four-gameseries on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field…Portland has lost seven of their last 10, and do not hold first place by themselves since they were a ½ game out on April 26^th…New Hampshire has won seven of their last eight, and 12 of 19 this month…Right-hander Brandon Workman makes his ninth appearance of the season for the Sea Dogs and his second straight against New Hampshire.

‘CATS HAD THE POWER PLAY WORKING: 3B Ryan Schimpf hit two homers and drove in five runs, leading the Fisher Cats to a 7-3 win over the Sea Dogs on Monday night…Schimpf gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the first, blasting a two-run homer off losing pitcher Charlie Haeger (1-1)…In the ninth, Schimpf hit a booming, three-run shot into the U.S. Cellular Pavilion off Miguel Celestino…Tony Thomas went 2-for-5 with his five homer and his league-leading, sixth triple of the season…Marcus Walden (3-4) worked six innings on eight hits, three runs (two earned) and two strikeouts to earn the win.

TOP OF THE LEADER BOARD: Portland leads the league with 21 triples six more than Reading…In addition to leading the league in triples, Thomas is tops in the E.L. in doubles (14) and extra-base hits (25)…Travis Shaw walked three times last night and now leads the league with 31.

ICE THAT ARM: Haeger worked 6.2 innings on Monday night, yielding seven hits, four runs, four walks and four strikeouts…The knuckleballer threw 127 pitches/66 strikes, and held New Hampshire 2-for-10 with runners-in-scoring position…Last night was the most pitches thrown by Haeger since July 23, 2009, when threw 130 pitches (87 strikes) with the Albuquerque Isotopes…In that game, Haeger threw a nine-inning complete game, allowing six hits, one run and fanning 12.

MULTIPLICITY: Heiker Meneses, Thomas, Kolbrin Vitek and Shannon Wilkerson each two hits in the series opener.

PRESSED INTO ACTION: Derrik Gibson made his first professional appearance in right field last night, taking over for Peter Hissey in the sixth inning…Gibson made his first pro outing in the outfield (left field) on April 27^th at Trenton.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate) play game three of their four-game series tomorrow night at 6:00 PM…The two teams conclude the series with an 11:00 AM start on Thursday…Portland is 2-5 during a 17-game stretch against New Hampshire and Binghamton.

Catcher Matt Spring blasted a walk-off grand slam on Saturday afternoon, as the ‘Dogs beat the Binghamton Mets 10-7.  Below are the audio highlights from the game and the link to the game story.

Game Story

The bat flip says it all…Spring watches his walk-off grand slam (photo courtesy of Kelly O’Connor of Sitting Still Photograhpy).

The last walk-off grand slam at Hadlock Field came in Game 1 of the 2005 Northern Division Championship Series against Trenton. Chad Spann smacked it off the Citgo Sign, which was located above a different part of the Maine Monster.

Coverage begins at 12:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Pre-Game Guest: Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles

Binghamton Lineup: Muno 4, Rodriguez 5, Puello 9, Vaughn DH, Lucas DH, Ceciliani 8, Forsythe 2, Bonfe 7, Tovar 6, Mazzoni RHP

Portland Lineup: Hissey 9, Bogaerts 6, Thomas 7, Shaw 5, Almanzar 3, Vazquez 2, Wilkerson 8, Vitek DH, Meneses 4 Britton LHP

Preview of today’s Game Notes

LOOKING FOR THE SERIES WIN: The Sea Dogs and Binghamton Mets play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field…Portland is looking for their first series win, since taking two of three from the Reading Fightin Phils on May 6-8…The ‘Dogs have won five of eight from the Mets this season, snapping Binghamton’s five-game winning streak on Saturday…Left-hander Drake Britton makes his fourth career start against the Binghamton Mets.

NOW THAT WAS FUN: Matt Spring clocked a walk-off grand with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Sea Dogs past the Binghamton Mets, 10-7 on Saturday afternoon…Spring had a career-high 6 RBI, blasting a two-run homer in the fourth…Portland beat Jeff Walters (0-1), who blew his first save in 11 chances…Brock Huntzinger (3-0) blew his first save in eight tries, but worked the final two innings to earn his third win of the season…Tony Thomas went 4-for-5 with a solo-homer and three singles…Peter Hissey and Heiker Meneses had run-scoring triples.

SPRING IN HIS STEP: Spring blasted his third career grand slam on Saturday and has five homers, 14 RBI in 42 at-bats this season…The 28-year old backstop has five multi-RBI games to make up his 14 runs batted in…His grand slam yesterday hit the Citgo Sign above the Maine Monster…Chad Spann hit a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the 2005 Northern Division Championship Series at Hadlock Field…Spann’s slam hit the Citgo Sign, which was located in a different spot above the Maine Monster.

HEY TONY: Thomas collected his second 4-hit game of the season on Saturday, and improved his team-leading RBI total to 28…The Florida native has a four-game hitting streak: 10-for-19 (.526), HR, 3 RBI, 2 2B…Thomas has hit safely in 18 of his last 24 games: 33-for-97 (.340), 2 HR, 16 RBI

FIRST TIME: RHP Anthony Ranaudo worked a season-low four innings on Saturday, allowing three hits, two runs, three walks and fanning five…Ranaudo tossed 85 pitches and left with the game tied at four.

HEADING FOR THIRD: With two triples yesterday, the Sea Dogs lead the Eastern League with 19 triples, four more than Reading.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs open up a four-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate) on Monday; game time is 6:00 PM…The two teams conclude the series with an 11:00 AM start on Thursday…Portland is 2-3 during a 17-game stretch against New Hampshire and Binghamton.

Let the celebration begin

Game Story

The last walk-off grand slam at Hadlock Field came in Game 1 of the 2005 Northern Division Championship Series against Trenton. Chad Spann smacked it off the Citgo Sign, which was located above a different part of the Maine Monster.

Matt Spring clubs a walk-off grand slam on Saturday.

Michael Almanzar had a career-high, 5 RBI in last night’s game.

The Sea Dogs open up a 7-game homestand on Friday night against the Binghamton Mets.

Coverage begins at 5:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Pre-Game Interview: Brandon Workman

Binghamton Lineup: Muno 4, Ceciliani 7, Puello DH, Dykstra 3, Vaughn 9, Forsythe 2, Lucas 5, Harris 8, Tovar 6, Goeddel RHP

Portland Lineup: Hissey 9, Bogaerts 6, Thomas 7, Shaw 3, Almanzar 5, Vitek DH, Wilkerson 8, Vazquez 2, Gibson 4, Barnes RHP

BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN: The Sea Dogs return home after a 3-4 roadtrip, and open up a 7-game homestand on Friday night against the Binghamton Mets…This marks the third series between the two teams this season – Portland has won both series…With last night’s win, the ‘Dogs improved to 6-0 in series finales away from Maine…Right-hander Matt Barnes makes his eighth start of the season and the first of his career against Binghamton…Barnes is 2-0, 1.06 ERA (2 ER/17.0 IP) in three starts this month.

OFFENSIVE SURGE: Portland scored 17 runs in their first 6 games of the trip, but established season-highs in runs and hits, blasting the Fisher Cats 15-4 on Thursday…The Sea Dogs had 18 hits and established team highs in extra-base his (9) and doubles (7)…Travis Shaw went 4-for-5 with a homer, two doubles and 4 RBI…Michael Almanzar had a career-high 5 RBI, finishing 3-for-5, HR…Brandon Workman (5-1) tossed six innings on seven hits, three runs and six strikeouts to earn the win…Derrik Gibson and Tony Thomas had three hits…Miguel Celestino worked the final three innings to earn his first Double-A save.

DYNAMIC DUO: Workman became the sixth 5-game winner in the Eastern League, joining teammate Anthony Ranaudo (5-1)…Ranaudo and Workman are a combined 10-2, 2.63 ERA (25 ER/85.2 IP) in 15 games/14 starts this season…Portland is fifth in the league in team ERA at 3.97, Binghamton is third (3.83).

TOP OF THE BOARD: Almanzar hit his team-leading 6^th homer of the season on Thursday night and leads the Sea Dogs in hitting at .304 (2^nd overall in the Red Sox system)…Thomas leads the league with 13 doubles and is tied with Reading’s Jim Murphy in extra-base hits (21) and tied with Harrisburg’s Brian Goodwin in triples (5)…Portland leads the Eastern League with 17 triples.

TURNING TWO: Portland turned a season-high four double plays in the series finale on Thursday night…Catcher Christian Vazquez is leading the league in throwing out runners (18-for-37, 49%).

THREE WAS A MAGIC NUMBER: Xander Bogaerts, Shaw and Thomas all scored three runs last night…Almanzar, Gibson and Thomas each had three hits…Hitters 3-5 (Thomas, Shaw and Almanzar) went a combined 10-for-16 (.625), 2 HR, 10 RBI on Thursday.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Binghamton Mets continue their 3-game series tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1:00 PM…The series finale is a 1:00 PM start on Sunday…The ‘Dogs will host the Fisher Cats on Monday night, staring a 4-game set…Portland is 1-2 during a 17-game stretch against New Hampshire and Binghamton.

Peter Hissey had Double-A career-high 3 RBI on Wednesday night (photo courtesy of Kelly O’Connor of Sitting Still Photography)

Before we get into any on-field baseball related topics, please vote for the Sea Dogs Biscuit in a contest..About the contest: Minor League Baseball™ and MLB Advanced Media jointly announced today the launch of MiLB.com #foodfight, a socially-driven fan voting competition to determine America’s favorite MiLB ballpark concession, across 160 Minor League markets. During the competition, which will unveil its winner in June, fans may cast votes via Twitter and at MiLB.com for their favorite food item in each of four colorfully evocative categories: Gut Busters, Hogs ‘n’ Dogs, Local Legends and Scrumptious Sandwiches.  Cast your Vote for the Sea Dog Biscuit in the Local Legends category today!

http://www.milb.com/milb/fans/food_fight/y2013/index.jsp?category=legends&club=t546

The Sea Dogs conclude their 7-game roadtrip on Thursday night against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

Coverage begins at 6:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Pre-Game Interview: Tommy Hottovy Part 2

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

New Hampshire Lineup: Pillar 8, Nanita DH, Schimpf 5, Robinson 3, Glenn 9, Nolan 6, Loewen 7, Murphy 2, Tolisano 4, Tepera RHP

ALMOST HOME: The Sea Dogs wrap up their 7-game roadtrip on Thursday night against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium…With last night’s loss, Portland suffered their first road-series loss of the season (4-1-1 in six road series)…Portland has dropped four of six on the trip, and hasn’t lost three in a row since April 7-9…Right-hander Brandon Workman is making his eighth appearance of the season…He suffered his first Double-A loss on August 29, 2012 in Manchester.

With a win tonight, Brandon Workman becomes the 5th pitcher in the league with five wins – Anthony Ranaudo is on that list.

COMEBACK FELL SHORT: Portland tied the game at four with three runs in the ninth, but Brad Glenn’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth, gave New Hampshire a 5-4 win on Wednesday night…Peter Hissey gave the ‘Dogs a 1-0 lead with a sac-fly in the second and tied the game with a two-run single in the ninth…Joel Carreno (2-1) blew the save, but earned the win…Will Latimer yielded one hit and two runs over 2.2 IP to take the loss…Latimer escaped a bases-loaded, nobody out jam in the seventh, keep in the deficit 4-1…Tony Thomas and Christian Vazquez each had two hits.

DEEP INTO GAMES: In Portland’s final game on Sunday, Logan Darnell pitched eight innings, but suffered the loss…During this roadtrip, four opposing starters have worked at least six innings: Deck McGuire (6.0 IP, last night), Marcus Walden (7.2 IP, Tuesday), Darnell (8.0, Sunday) and Trevor May (7.0 IP, 2-hit shutout in game two of May 10^th’s doubleheader)…The Sea Dogs are hitting just .220 (97-for-440) this month.

UNFORTUNATELY IN THE MEDIA GUIDE: Portland’s pitchers walked a franchise-record 14 batters last night…Starter Charlie Haeger walked seven over 5 IP, allowing two runs and two hits…Daniel Bard issued five walks over 1+ innings and Latimer issued two walks…The previous record was 13 on July 2, 2006 versus Trenton…Haeger’s seven walks were most by a starter since Kason Gabbard on August 19, 2009.

TURNING TWO: Portland turned three double plays last night, tying a season-high…The ‘Dogs are tied for third in the Eastern League in fielding percentage at .972…Catcher Christian Vazquez is leading the league in throwing out runners (18-for-37, 49%).

THREE WAS THE FIRST: Hissey’s 3 RBI was a Double-A career high, and the most RBI since he had five in his final game with Salem on 9/5/11.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs open up a 7-game homestand on Friday night against the Binghamton Mets…On Monday night, the ‘Dogs and Fisher Cats kick-off a four-game series, including an 11 AM game on Thursday…Portland is 0-2 during a 17-game stretch against New Hampshire and Binghamton.