Portland opens up a 7-game roadtrip in six days on Tuesday night against the Reading Fightin Phils from First Energy Stadium.

2013 Video Interviews and Highlights

Coverage begins at 5:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

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

Reading Lineup: Cartwright 4, Duran 6, Mendonca DH, Murphy 3, Henson 5, Collier 8, Hewitt 9, Valle 2, Gillies 7, Rosin RHP

Peter Hissey grew up 38 miles from First Energy Stadium in West Chester, PA

Preview of Today’s Notes

ROADTRIP STARTS WITH TWO: The Sea Dogs closed out their 15-game swing against the Western Division by going 6-9, and open up a seven-game roadtrip on Tuesday night in Reading, PA with a twinbill against the Fightin Phils…Portland is 0-6-1 in their last seven series…The ‘Dogs took three of four from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on May 20-23 at Hadlock Field…Their last road-series win came on April 30-May 2, sweeping Reading in a three-game set (first game was postponed due to rain).

REMAINS DOMINANT: Drake Britton (6-5) improved to 3-0 this month, hurling seven strong innings in Portland’s 7-4 win over the Akron Aeros on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field…Britton yielded five hits, two runs (one earned) on three walks and one strikeout…Peter Hissey led Portland’s offense, going 3-for-5 with a solo-homer and 2 RBI…Michael Almanzar gave Portland a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run double…Travis Shaw had two hits and a run scored…Britton set a team high 22.2 scoreless innings.

QUITE A TURNAROUND: Britton has allowed just two earned runs in his last 32 IP (0.56 ERA) and his scoreless streak of 22.2 innings pitched is the second best in team history…Kris Johnson had 24 scoreless innings from June 15-July 1, 2008…The Sea Dogs have received a quality start in 22 of 67 (33%) games this season…With his performance on Sunday, Britton is ranked 10^th in the Eastern League with a 3.08 ERA…RHP Anthony Ranaudo is pacing the E.L. with a 2.43 ERA.

WAY TO STEP THINGS UP: Almanzar is Portland’s active leader in average, homers and RBI…The first-year Sea Dog has a 4-game hitting streak: 7-for-12 (.583) with 4 RBI and 2 doubles…Almanzar is tied with New Britain’s Josmil Pinto for third in the league with 47 RBI, and is second in extra-base hits (30) and fourth in total bases (125).

THAT WAS NUMBER TWO: Hissey’s homer on Sunday was the second of his Double-A career…Last year, he blasted a three-run, walk-off homer against the Trenton Thunder in the 11^th inning.

THIS IS IT: This series marks the final times the two teams meet in Reading, PA…The Fightin Phils visit Hadlock Field on July 18-21.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate) continue their four-game series on Wednesday night at First Energy Stadium beginning at 7:05…Portland’s second part of the trip begins Friday night in Trenton, N.J…Tonight the ‘Dogs begin a 38-game stretch against the Eastern Division.

Portland conclude their three-game series with the Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) on Sunday afternoon at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs have dropped four of six on the homestand.

2013 Video Interviews and Highlights

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

Pre-Game Interview: Kevin Boles.

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

Akron Lineup: Ramirez 6, Rodriguez 4, Hunter DH, Aguilar 3, Wallace 2, Moncrief 8, Urshela 5, Latimore 9, Toole 7, Roberts RHP

Drake Britton has allowed one earned run over his last 25 IP…Makes the start on Sunday.

Preview of Today’s Notes

WESTERN SWING COMES TO AN END: The Sea Dogs close out their 15-game swing against the Western Division in the series finale on Sunday afternoon against the Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate)…Portland has lost the first 2 games of the series, and have dropped four of six on the homestand…The ‘Dogs have also dropped 14 of 20 since they were 28-18 on May 24^th…Lefty Drake Britton makes his 13^th appearance for Portland, and is coming off his first complete-game shutout of his career.

COUPLE OF SWINGS: Jesus Aguilar and Carlos Moncrief hit back-to-back homers in Akron’s 6-2 win on Saturday night at Hadlock Field…Aguilar blasted a three-run shot to right field off losing pitcher Michael McCarthy (0-1), who worked 6.2 innings on nine hits and four runs in his Double-A debut…Moncrief hit a solo shot into Portland’s bullpen…Akron added two runs in the ninth on two sacrifice flies…Travis Shaw accounted for Portland’s offense with a two-run homer in the ninth…Jordan Cooper beat Portland for the second consecutive Saturday…The righty tossed 5.1 scoreless on three hits.

QUITE A TURNAROUND: Britton has 18 consecutive scoreless innings and has allowed just one earned run in his last 25 IP (0.36 ERA)…This month, Britton is 2-0, beating Erie in back-to-back starts…RHP Chris Martin still holds the team high in consecutive scoreless innings at 21 (April 5-current)…Last year, Britton went 1-0, 0.87 ERA (ER/10.1 IP) in two starts against the Akron Aeros.

ANOTHER ONE PROMOTED: RHP Brock Huntzinger became the seventh Sea Dog promoted to Pawtucket this season…Huntzinger joins: Ronald Bermudez, Xander Bogaerts, Ryan Dent, Chris Martin, Alberto Rosario and Brandon Workman…The promotion for Huntzinger is his second to Pawtucket, he appeared in two games with the PawSox last season…With Portland, Huntzinger went 3-0, 2.32 ERA (12 ER/31.0 IP) in 25 games and was 13 of 14 in save chances.

NOW YOUR TRIPLE CROWN LEADER: Michael Almanzar is now the active leader in average at .290 (70-for-241) and leads the Sea Dogs in homers (11) and RBI (45)…Almanzar hit .262 (27-for-103) with 4 homers and 20 RBI in May…OF Tony Thomas is second on the team in homers (6) and RBI (37)…With Almanzar’s triple last night, the ‘Dogs continue to lead the Eastern League with 28 triples.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs are off tomorrow and open up a 7-game roadtrip in six days on Tuesday night in Reading against the Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate)…Portland will start a 38-game stretch against the Eastern Division…Portland is 5-9 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division.

Portland opens continue a three-game series with the Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) on Saturday night at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs dropped two of three to the Aeros last week at Canal Park.

2013 Video Interviews and Highlights

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

Xander Bogaerts hit his first Triple-A homer last night.

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Thomas DH, Almanzar 5, Linares 9, Shaw 3, Spring 2, Vitek 7,  Meneses 6, Gibson 4, McCarthy RHP

Akron Lineup: Ramirez 6, Rodriguez 4, Hunter DH, Aguilar 3, Moncrief 8, Urshela 5, Latimore 9, Lowery 2, Toole 7, Cooper RHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

FINISHING THE WESTERN SWING: The Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) continue their three-game series on Saturday night at Hadlock Field…Portland has dropped 3 of 5 on the homestand, and needs to win the final two games against Akron to split the season series…Right-hander Michael McCarthy makes his Double-A debut in tonight’s game for Portland…McCarthy went 3-2, 4.72 ERA (29 ER/55.1 IP) in 14 games/9 starts with the Salem Red Sox this season.

DOUBLED UP: The Akron Aeros scored the game’s final four runs, and beat the Sea Dogs 6-3 on Friday night at Hadlock Field…Brett Brach (4-2) beat Portland for the second time in a week, working six innings on six hits and three runs…Pete Ruiz took the loss in relief, giving up two runs and three hits over 2.2 IP…The ‘Dogs scored all three runs over five batters in the fourth inning…Christian Vazquez tied the game with a  two-run single and Heiker Meneses delivered a run-scoring single…Cedric Hunter went 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and Ronny Rodriguez added three hits

ANOTHER ONE PROMOTED: RHP Brock Huntzinger became the seventh Sea Dog promoted to Pawtucket this season…Huntzinger joins: Ronald Bermudez, Xander Bogaerts, Ryan Dent, Chris Martin, Alberto Rosario and Brandon Workman…The promotion for Huntzinger is his second to Pawtucket, he appeared in two games with the PawSox last season…With Portland, Huntzinger went 3-0, 2.32 ERA (12 ER/31.0 IP) in 25 games and was 13 of 14 in save chances.

WAY TO BREAK OUT OF IT: Vazquez went 2-for-4 last night, his first multi-hit game since going 4-for-4 on May 22^nd vs. New Hampshire at Hadlock Field…The Portland backstop was 2 for his last 42 over 12 games until his two hits last night…Travis Shaw had two hits, including a double last night, and picked up his first multi-hit game since a 2-for-5 performance on May 27^th at Binghamton…The Sea Dogs are hitting .209 (28-for-134) on the homestand but have posted a 1.80 ERA (8 ER/40.0 IP).

NOW YOUR TRIPLE CROWN LEADER: Michael Almanzar is now the active leader at .286 (68-for-238) and leads the Sea Dogs in homers (11) and RBI (45)…Bogaerts made his Triple-A for Pawtucket last night in their doubleheader sweep over Buffalo…In game one, Bogaerts scored the game winning run, he blasted a two-run homer in the nightcap.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) meet for the final time this season tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1:00 PM…Portland is 5-8 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division, which ends this Sunday…On Tuesday night, the ‘Dogs being a seven-game, six-day roadtrip in Reading, PA.

Portland opens up a three-game series with the Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) on Friday night at Hadlock Field…The Sea Dogs dropped two of three to the Aeros last week at Canal Park.

2013 Video Interviews and Highlights

Anthony Ranaudo fanned a career-high 13 batters last night.

Coverage begins at 6:40 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Hissey 9, Almanzar DH, Thomas 7, Shaw 3, Dent 5, Vazquez 2,  Meneses 6, Gibson 4, Couch RHP

Akron Lineup: Ramirez 4, Rodriguez 6, Hunter DH, Aguilar 3, Moncrief 8, Urshela 5, Latimore 9, Lowery 2, Toole 7, Brach RHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

FINISHING THE WESTERN SWING: The Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) open up a three-game weekend series on Friday night at Hadlock Field…Portland and Erie closed out the season series last night, with the two teams splitting six games…RHP Keith Couch makes his second straight start – both against the Akron Aeros…RHP Brett Brach beat Portland on June 7^th at Canal Park, working five innings on two runs and six hits…Couch beat Akron on June 9^th in his first Double-A start.

13 IS LUCKY: Anthony Ranaudo (7-1) tied a franchise record with 13 strikeouts, as Portland shutout the Erie SeaWolves 2-0…Ranaudo tossed a career-high 7.2 innings on two singles, two walks and also a career-high in K’s…Michael Almanzar knocked in both runs with a double in the first and a sac-fly in the eighth…Brock Huntzinger worked 1.1 IP on two hits and one strikeout to notch his 13^th save of the season…Ramon Garcia took the loss for Erie, giving up two runs over 7.1 IP on nine strikeouts…Shannon Wilkerson went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

13 STRIKEOUT HISTORY: Ranaudo became the fourth pitcher in franchise history to strikeout 13 batters, and the third at Hadlock Field…The former standout at LSU became the third 7-game winner in the Eastern League, joining Binghamton’s Rafael Montero and Logan Verrett.

1. Ranaudo, June 13, 2013 vs. Erie
2. Jon Lester, July 11, 2005 at New Hampshire
3. A.J. Burnett, April 20, 1999 vs. Binghamton
4. Tony Saunders, July 29, 1996 vs. Norwich

WAY TO CLOSE THINGS OUT: Huntzinger earned his team-leading 13^th save last night, which is tied for the second (Daryl Maday of Richmond has 13) in the Eastern League behind Binghamton’s Jeff Walters (16 saves)…The Indiana native is scoreless in 16 of 18 outings since April 21^st 0.75 ERA (2 ER/24.0 IP)

NOW YOUR TRIPLE CROWN LEADER: Almanzar is now the active leader at .285 (67-for-235) and leads the Sea Dogs in homers (11) and RBI (45)…Xander Bogaerts is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut tonight for the Pawtucket Red Sox…Bogaerts is 10^th in the Eastern League with a .311 average.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) continue their three-game series on Saturday night at Hadlock Field…Portland is 5-7 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division, which ends this Sunday…On Tuesday night, the ‘Dogs being a seven-game, six-day roadtrip in Reading, PA.

Portland and the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate) play the final game of their four-game series on Thursday night.

PEDRO MARTINEZ VIDEO INTERVIEW

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

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Hissey 9, Almanzar 5, Linares DH, Shaw 3, Vitek 7, Vazquez 2,  Meneses 4, Gibson 4, Ranaudo RHP

Erie Lineup: Johnson 9, Suarez 6, Perez 4, Fields 8, McCann 2, Jones DH, Gaynor 5, Robbins 3, Lemon 7, Garcia LHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

Official Release
Portland, Maine- Portland Sea Dogs’ shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. No counter move has yet been announced. The Sea Dogs roster currently stands at 24 active players.

Bogaerts, the top ranked prospect in the organization by Baseball America, hit a team leading .311 (68-for-219) in 56 games for the Sea Dogs this season with 12 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 35 RBI, and five stolen bases. He reached base safely in 50 of 55 games with the Sea Dogs and was tied for the team lead with 18 multi-hit games. His six triples was tied for the league lead.

The 20-year-old was named the 2012 Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year hitting a combined .307 with 37 doubles, three triples, 20 home runs, and 81 RBI between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. Bogaerts joined the Sea Dogs on August 9th, 2012 and hit .326 in 23 games for Portland in 2012. In his Sea Dogs’ Double-A career Bogaerts hit .315 (98-for-311) in 79 games with 11 home runs and 53 RBI.

The Aruba native is tabbed by Baseball America as the “Best Athlete and “Best Power Hitter” in the Red Sox farm system. Bogaerts was signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent on August 23, 2009.

Portland and the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate) play a twinbill on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field…The ‘Dogs have won two straight – Erie has lost five in a row.

Jeremy Kehrt makes the start in Game 2 for Portland.

PEDRO MARTINEZ VIDEO INTERVIEW

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

Pre-Game Interview: Drake Britton

Game 1

Portland Lineup: Wilkerson 8, Bogaerts 6, Almanzar 3, Linares 9, Thomas DH, Vitek 7, Vazquez 2, Dent 5, Meneses 4, Haeger RHP

Erie Lineup: Johnson 9, Suarez 6, Perez 4, Fields 8, Collins 7, Jones DH, Castillo 9, Lemon 7, Crouse LHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

WE’LL TRY IT TONIGHT: The Sea Dogs and Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate) were scheduled to play a twinbill on Tuesday night, but game two was postponed…Tonight the two teams will play a doubleheader at Hadlock Field…Portland is playing this doubleheader due to a rainout at Jerry Uht Park on June 6^th…With the extra home game, the ‘Dogs will play 72 of 142 games this season at Hadlock Field…Right-hander Jeremy Kehrt and lefty Ryan Robowski will make spot starts in game two.

GOING THE DISTANCE: Drake Britton (5-5) tossed his first career complete game, a 6-hit shutout on Tuesday night in Portland’s 2-0 win over Erie in a 7-inning contest…Britton held Erie 0-for-7 with runners-in-scoring position, walked one and fanned three…Portland took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a wall-ball, run-scoring double by Peter Hissey…Tony Thomas cleared the Maine Monster in the sixth inning for his sixth homer of the season…Warwick Saupold (4-3) took the loss in a complete-game effort…The righty gave up five hits and two runs over 6 IP.

NOW THAT’S TURNING THINGS AROUND: Britton’s ERA on May 19^th after a loss to Binghamton was 4.79…The lefty has allowed one earned run over his last 25 IP (0.36 ERA), covering four starts…Britton is 11^th in the Eastern League in ERA and has won consecutive starts against Erie.

HISTORY OF COMPLETE GAMES AND SHUTOUTS: Britton’s complete game was the first this season for Portland…Billy Buckner hurled a complete-game last May 30^th at Harrisburg…Portland’s last complete-game shutout was thrown by LHP Felix Doubront on July 22, 2009 at New Britain…RHP Felix Diaz tossed the last complete-game shutout at Hadlock Field on August 28, 2007 vs. Trenton.

WAY TO BREAKTHROUGH: Thomas went 2-for-3 last night, after going 5-for-52 in his previous 13 games…The multi-hit game and homer was his first since May 20^th vs. New Hampshire when he went 2-for-5 with a home run.

X MARKS THE SPORT: Xander Bogaerts went 1-for-2 last night with a walk and has hit safely in 17 of his last 21 starts: 29-for-78 (.372), 4 HR, 17 RBI, 3 2B, 3B…Bogaerts has reached base 37 times in his last 14 games.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate) meet for the final time on Thursday night at Hadlock Field…Akron is in town on Friday night to start a three-game weekend series…Portland is 4-5 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division, which ends this Sunday.

Portland opens up a 7-game homestand in six days on Tuesday night against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate)…The ‘Dogs went 2-3 on their recent roadtrip…Erie has lost four straight.

PEDRO MARTINEZ VIDEO INTERVIEW

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

Game 1

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

Erie Lineup: Suarez 6, Perez 4, Fields 8, Collins DH, McCann 2, Gaynor 3, Jones 5, Castillo 9, Lemon 7, Saupold RHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

Drake Britton tossed a career-high 8 innings in his previous start vs. Erie.

STARTING WITH TWO: The Sea Dogs open up a 7-game homestand with a doubleheader against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate) at Hadlock Field…Tonight’s twinbill is due to a rainout at Jerry Uht Park on June 6^th…Portland finished their 5-game roadtrip at 2-3…Erie has lost four straight and went 1-4 on their recent 5-game homestand…Lefty Drake Britton and Right-hander Jeremy Kehrt get the starts in tonight’s twinbill for Portland…Erie has RHP Warwick Saupold in game one and TBA in game two.

NICE WAY TO FINISH: Keith Couch (4-2) worked five strong innings and Michael Almanzar drove in two runs, leading the Sea Dogs to a 4-1 win over the Akron Aeros on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park…Couch made the start in replace of Brandon Workman, and yielded three hits, one run, one walk and three strikeouts…Almanzar gave Portland a 2-1 lead with a sac-fly in the sixth…Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, triple and three runs scored…RHP Brock Huntzinger retired the final four batters to notch his 12^th save of the season.

HOLDING DOWN THE WIN: Right-hander Chris Balcom-Miller earned his first hold of the season on Sunday, working 2.2 scoreless on two hits and a season-high three strikeouts…Portland’s bullpen compiled a 2.50 ERA (5 ER/18.0 IP) during the five-game roadtrip.

HISTORY AS A STARTER: Kehrt made 25 appearances with the Sea Dogs last year and 14 starts…His last start came on August 31, 2012 against the Reading Phillies at Hadlock Field, earning the win…Kehrt fired six scoreless innings against the Erie SeaWolves last August 3^rd at Hadlock Field, earning his sixth win of the season.

CONTINUES TO HIT: Bogaerts tied a team-high with three runs scored on Sunday, and picked up his sixth triple of the season (tied for the league lead)…The Aruban native has hit safely in 16 of his last 20 games: 28-for-76 (.368), 4 HR, 17 RBI…His .308 average (65-for-207) is tops on the club and 11^th in the Eastern League.

BREAKING THROUGH: Almanzar has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games: 17-for-51 (.333), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 doubles and leads the team in homers (11) and RBI (43) – tied for fifth in the Eastern League.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate) continue their four-game series on Wednesday night at Hadlock Field…Akron is in town on Friday night to start a three-game weekend series…Portland is 3-5 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division.

Portland is 1-3 during a 5-game roadtrip, which concludes this afternoon at Canal Park in Akron, Ohio.

PEDRO MARTINEZ VIDEO INTERVIEW

Coverage begins at 1:45 PM on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network

Portland Lineup: Hissey 9, Bogaerts 6, Almanzar 5, Linares DH, Thomas 7, Shaw 3, Spring 2, Meneses 4, Johnson 8, Couch RHP

Akron Lineup: Ramirez 4, Rodriguez 6, Holt 8, Aguilar 3, Moncrief 9, Latimore 7, Abraham DH, Urshela 5, Lowery C, Roberts RHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

GO OUT WITH A BANG: Since a season-high 7-game winning streak from April 27-May 4, the Sea Dogs have dropped 19 of their last 32, and wrap-up their five-game roadtrip on Sunday afternoon against the Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate)…Portland has dropped 5 of 6 to start the month, winning the series finale on Wednesday night in Erie 8-0…Akron is 5-0 on their six-game homestand, and has won 17 of 28 from the Eastern Division…Right-hander Keith Couch makes his first Double-A start and his 15^th appearance of the season.

RALLY FALLS SHORT: Akron took an early 4-0 lead and held on to beat the Portland Sea Dogs 4-3 on Saturday night at Canal Park…The ‘Dogs rallied for one in the seventh inning on Kolbrin Vitek’s sacrifice fly…In the eighth, J.C. Linares nailed a two-run double off the centerfield wall…Matt Barnes (3-3) took his second straight loss, allowing five hits and four runs over 4 IP…Akron’s Jordan Cooper (2-2) tossed six scoreless on one hit, three walks and three strikeouts…Jose Flores fanned the side in the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season.

FOUR BY FOUR: Portland’s top 4 hitters collected the four hits in last night’s game…5-9 went 0-for-14 with four walks…Shannon Wilkerson led off the game with a single, the only hit allowed by Cooper…Bryce Stowell gave up three hits, three runs, three walks and fanned three over 1.2 IP.

THERE WAS INK IN THE ‘PEN: Jeremy Kehrt and former Akron Aero Rafael Perez each worked two scoreless frames on Saturday…Kehrt has pitched in two games on the trip, working 5.1 scoreless…Perez is scoreless in four of five outings since joining the ‘Dogs and his IP last night were a season high.

STOPPED AT NINE: Xander Bogaerts had his nine-game hitting streak snapped on Friday night, but went 1-for-4 on Saturday…Bogaerts has hit safely in 15 of his last 19 games: 26-for-73 (.356), 4 HR, 16 RBI…His .303 average (63-for-204) is tops on the club and 11^th in the Eastern League.

BREAKING THROUGH: Linares finished 1-for-3 last night and has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games: 13-for-46 (.283), HR, 7 RBI and five doubles…Michael Almanzar has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 and leads the team in homers (11) and RBI (41).

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs are off tomorrow and open up a 7-game homestand in six days on Tuesday night with a doubleheader against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers affiliate) from Hadlock Field…Akron is in town on Friday night…Portland is 2-5 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division.

Miguel Celestino fanned the side last night…he’s allowed one earned run in his last 4 outings (photo courtesy of Kelly O’Connor or Sitting Still Photography)

The Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros continue their three-game series on Saturday night at Canal Park.  Portland is 1-2 during a 5-game roadtrip, which concludes tomorrow afternoon.

PEDRO MARTINEZ VIDEO INTERVIEW

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

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

Akron Lineup: Ramirez 4, Rodriguez 6, Holt 8, Aguilar 3, Moncrief 9, Latimore 7, Abraham DH, Urshela 5, Lowery C, Cooper RHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

TRYING TO RIGHT THE SHIP: Since a season-high 7-game winning streak from April 27-May 4, the Sea Dogs have dropped 18 of their last 31, and continue their 5-game roadtrip on Saturday night in Akron against the Aeros…Portland has dropped 4 of 5 to start the month, winning the series finale on Wednesday night in Erie 8-0…Akron has won all four games on their homestand and look to get back to .500 for the first time since they were 19-19…Right-hander Matt Barnes makes his 12^th start of the season for the ‘Dogs in tonight’s game.

THAT WASN’T FUN: Akron scored four in the third and added six in the seventh, defeating the Sea Dogs 12-3 on Friday night at Canal Park…LF Quincy Latimore went 3-for-4, 4 RBI with a triple and a double…RF Carlos Moncrief had three hits and scored three runs…Brett Brach worked five strong innings on six hits and two runs for the win…Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger took the loss, yielding six runs on seven hits over 6 IP…C Christian Vazquez went 1-for-2 with 2 RBI…Heiker Meneses added two hits and an RBI…J.C. Linares had two hits and scored twice.

SOMETIMES NUMBERS DON’T LIE: Akron went 9-for-14 with runners-in-scoring-position on Friday night, Portland went 2-for-15…Pete Ruiz was touched for a season-high six runs (five earned) on six hits…Akron’s first seven batters reached base in the seventh off Ruiz…Portland had 15 baserunners in the opener.

STRIKEOUTS WERE THERE: Haeger tied a season-high with eight strikeouts…Miguel Celestino fanned the side in the eighth…Portland’s pitchers are third in the Eastern League in strikeouts with 521 (Akron 541, Binghamton 533)…Celestino has allowed just one earned run in his last four games: 0-2, 1.93 ERA (ER/4.2 IP).

STOPPED AT NINE: Xander Bogaerts had his nine-game hitting streak snapped last night, going 0-for-4 with a walk…Bogaerts has hit safely in 14 of his last 18 games: 25-for-69 (.362), 4 HR, 16 RBI…His .304 average (62-for-200) is tied for 10^th in the Eastern League with Erie’s James McCann.

BREAKING THROUGH: Vazquez notched his sixth multi-RBI game last night but his first since driving in two runs on May 22^nd vs. New Hampshire at Hadlock Field…Meneses snapped an 0-for-12 slump with 2 hits last night.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) conclude their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Canal Park, beginning at 2:05 PM…Portland is 2-4 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division…After an off-day on Monday, the ‘Dogs return home to host Erie and Akron.

Brand new video board at Canal Park

The Sea Dogs open up a three-game series on Friday night against the Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) at Canal Park.  With last night’s postponement in Erie, Portland and the SeaWolves will play a doubleheader on Tuesday at Hadlock Field.

PEDRO MARTINEZ VIDEO INTERVIEW

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

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

Akron Lineup: Ramirez 4, Rodriguez 6, Holt 8, Aguilar 3, Moncrief 9, Latimore 7, Lowery 2, Urshela 5, Lavisky DH, Brach RHP

Preview of Today’s Notes

BACK AT IT: The Sea Dogs were postponed on Thursday night in Erie, and open up a three-game series on Friday night against the Akron Aeros from Canal Park…Yesterday’s game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Tuesday night at Hadlock Field…Akron swept three games from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats to begin their six-game homestand…Last year, Portland took four of six from the Aeros, their first season- series win against Akron since 1998.

SIMPLY DOMINANT: Drake Britton (4-5) tossed a career-high eight innings on one hit, one walk and eight strikeouts, as the Sea Dogs defeated the SeaWolves 6-0 on Wednesday night…Britton was hitless until Hernan Perez led off the seventh with a double…Rafael Perez closed out the shutout with a scoreless ninth…Matt Spring went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and 2 doubles…Michael Almanzar and Xander Bogaerts each homered…Kolbrin Vitek went 1-for-4 with a run-scoring single in the second…Erie’s Warwick Saupold (4-2) took the loss, allowing a season-high six runs over 6 IP.

EIGHT AGAIN: Britton and Brandon Workman have both worked eight innings this season…Workman was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket before Wednesday’s game…Last five Portland pitchers to go at least 8 IP.

1. Britton 8.0 IP (June 5 at Erie)
2. Workman 8.0 IP (June 1 vs. Altoona)
3. Haeger 8.0 IP (August 30, 2011 at Harrisburg)
4. Adam Mills 8.0 IP (August 6, 2009 vs. Altoona)
5. Clay Buchholz 8.0 IP (August 30, 2008 vs. New Hampshire)
6. Charlie Zink 9.0 IP (June 19, 2007 at Connecticut)…Zink has the franchise’s last 9-inning complete game.

X MARKS THE SPOT: Bogaerts collected his 17^th multi-hit game, and has reached base 30 times his last 10 games…Bogaerts has an 9-game hitting streak: 16-for-31 (.516), 4 HR, 11 RBI, 4 doubles…He’s hit safely in 14 of his last 17 games: 25-for-65 (.385), 4 HR, 16 RBI…His .310 average (62-for-200) is tied for 9^th in the Eastern League.

BEEN A WHILE: Britton earned his first win since May 8^th against Reading…The lefty is 1-1, 0.50 ERA (ER/18.0 IP) in his last three starts.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros (Indians affiliate) continue their three-game series on Saturday night at Canal Park…Portland is 2-3 during a 15-game stretch against the Western Division…After an off-day on Monday, the ‘Dogs return home to host Erie and Akron.