Results tagged ‘ Spring Training ’
Report from the Fort Day 1 (Afternoon Edition)
Today I traveled down to Sarasota, Florida to watch the Sea Dogs take on the Bowie Baysox. Baltimore’s minor league complex is separate from the big-league complex, so I was unable to get any updates on the Major League game.
That’s Joe Flacco’s brother Mike.
Final Line score
R H E
Portland 2 9 3
Bowie 5 9 2
Boxscore for Portland
Meneses SS/2B (0-3, BB)
Coyle 2B (2-for3, 2 1B, SB, RS)
De La Cruz RF (1-3, 1B)
Vitek 3B (1-4, 1B)
Jacobs LF (0-1, HB, BB)
LeBlanc LF (0-2)
Wilkerson CF (1-2, 1B, SB, RS)
Johnson CF (0-2)
Almanzar 1B (0-2)
Hedman 1B (0-2)
Flacco DH (2-for-4, RBI, 2 1B, 2 K)
Blair C (0-2)
Escobar (0-2)
Natoli EH/SS (1-2, 1B, BB)
Pitching
Kyle Kaminska 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Nefi Ogando 1.1 IP, 0 H, BB
Charle Rosario IP, BB, 2 SO
Kyle Kraus IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER
Robby Scott IP, H
Quick hits from today….
- I thought this was baseball? Two football connections in Sarasota – Bowie’s John Ruettiger (Rudy’s nephew) playing for Bowie…Michael Flacco (Joe’s brother) for Portland
- Former Sea Dogs Jeff Corsaletti surprised me with a guest appearance…Corsaletti is an assistant coach for an area Sarasota High School Baseball team…They were getting set to play after the minor league games.
- Former Sea Dogs in the Baltimore system who were in appearance: Manny Delcarmen, Luis Exposito, Miguel Gonzalez and Yamaico Navarro.
- During Spring Training, most of the Triple-A coaching staff is assisting in the big leagues…Portland’s coaching staff worked the Pawtucket game, while the Salem staff worked the Portland contest.
- I had a chance to chat with these former Sea Dogs: Bryce Brentz, Ryan Dent, Derik Gibson, Alex Hassan, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Alex Wilson and Steven Wright.
- On Tuesday Matt Barnes starts for Portland against New Britain at Boston’s complex.
Kolbrin Vitek (pictured right) is feeling healthy after back issues in 2012.
Report from the Fort – Day 3 (Bates, Bowden and Gedman Interview)
The first three days of Spring Training has been so much fun, and I’m still in awe of the JetBlue Park facility. During the past few days, I’ve covered the Sea Dogs, PawSox and Red Sox, with Pawtucket broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith. Yesterday I interviewed former Sea Dog Aaron Bates after Pawtucket’s 6-2 loss to Rochester. Tomorrow, the Twins minor leaguers play at the Red Sox complex, and I’m hoping to interview former Sea Dog Ray Chang.
Brandon Duckworth getting some work in during Sunday's workout
When I woke up this morning and heard rain, I was worried that Camp Day would be cancelled. So what is Camp Day? It’s where teams play intra-squad games, and hitters get to face their own pitchers. Since it rained in the morning, a few pitchers threw to a hitter with no one on the field. There was a catcher, umpire and a few players chasing down fly balls. It was nice to have a great view behind home plate.
Interview with former Red Sox Catcher Rich Gedman. Great insight on the 1986 team
With the Red Sox playing on the road today, a few starters stayed behind and took batting practice. Former Sea Dogs Manager Arnie Beyeler threw BP (baseball slang word for batting practice), and chatted with me after their workout. On Monday, I’m going to watch Arnie work with some of the Red Sox players during their pre-game routine in the morning. Looking forward to getting some great photos. I can’t say enough about how great the Sea Dogs’ coaches have been since my time in Portland.
Carl Crawford talking to Red Sox report Maureen Mullen of CSNE.com
During my morning travels, I had a long conversation with former Sea Dogs’ trainer Masai Takahashi. Masai is one of two assistant trainers (Brad Pearson) that worked in Portland. Jon Jochim, the PawSox trainer, was driving around in a golf cart, but he was very busy. I also had a quick minute to check-in with Dustin Pedroia. He said it was as honor that I read his book. Actually I made that part up.
A Class Act on and off the field. Former Sea Dog Michael Bowden
Up close shot of the Green Monster at JetBlue Park
Morales and Padilla showing off some dance moves. Not really, just stretching.
Have a great Sunday, and I’ll check in with you on Monday. Reach me at seadogsradio@gmail.com. Full photo gallery at
http://www.facebook.com/portlandseadogs
Day 2 in the Fort: Game Recap/Aaron Bates AUDIO/Morning Update
The Portland Sea Dogs Facebook Page has photos from my Spring Training trip.
Game Recap: Sea Dogs defeated the New Britain Rock Cats 5-3 on Saturday afternoon at the Twins’ Complex. Pawtucket lost to Rochester 6-2. Portland had 13 hits, receiving homers from Bryce Brentz (1-for-3) and Jeremy Hazelbaker (3-for-5). Brentz clubbed a two-run homer in the third inning and Hazelbaker’s solo-shot led off the ninth. Bryce Brentz receiving congratulations from potential teammates in Portland this year – Reynaldo Rodriguez and Oscar Tejeda.
Bryce Brentz receiving congratulations from potential teammates in Portland this year - Reynaldo Rodriguez and Oscar Tejeda.
Oscar Tejeda drove in two runs, clocking a first inning double down the left-field line. Heiker Meneses had three hits, and scored twice. Anthony Ranaudo faced two batters, but apparently left the game with a non-arm injury. I saw him walking around the complex, and he looked fine. Marco Duarte and Jeremiah Bayer (Greenfield, Mass) finished out the game in relief. The minor league teams have a Camp Day on Sunday.
Interview with former Sea Dog Aaron Bates…one of the best guys you’ll ever meet More about my morning….
What an amazing second day in Ft. Myers. My weekly talk show, the Saturday Morning Jab (96.3 FM in Portland, Maine), took place live from JetBlue Park. The Red Sox Media Relations’ Department set me up in one of the auxiliary broadcast booths, giving me a gorgeous view of the inaugural park. It was not surprising to see people lining up a 9:00 AM, looking for tickets for today’s game against the Phillies. That’s Red Sox Nation. It’s incredible.
View from the Monster Seats at JetBlue Park
Once again, I can’t say enough about how great the Red Sox media has been to me every time I’m in Ft. Myers. Brian McPherson of the
A very cool feature at Jet Blue Park
Providence Journal and Jon Rish (Red Sox Radio Network) were nice enough to join me on the show. The feeling of being on the air at 8 AM, looking out to a cathedral is hard to describe (and I talk for a living). During Red Sox batting practice, former Sea Dogs’ Manager Arnie Beyeler threw to Group 1, which included: Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis. The Red Sox had a tough afternoon against the Phillies, including a rough start from Alfredo Aceves. This will make for some great sports talk radio on Monday.
Former Red Sox Catcher Rich Gedman chatting with long-time Twins' Manager Tom Kelly.
First Report 7:45 AM
In about 35 minutes, my weekly talk show begins live from JetBlue Park at Fenway South. I’m very thankful to the Big Jab and the Red Sox for help making this possible. I can’t put into words how amazing this is. I’m sitting two booths down from the Red Sox radio booth. Show is live online at thebigjab.com or 96.3 FM in Portland, Maine. I’m hoping to land a few members of the Boston media as they trickle in this morning. Later today, I’ll be heading over to the Minnesota Twins complex with PawSox broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith, taking in the Double-A and Triple-A games. My interview goal today is former Sea Dogs’ Aaron Bates and Ray Chang.
Polls for you to answer…Full Monday wrap-up
11:02 PM – Our blogs this season were converted to Word Press, and I absolutely love it. I’ve been playing around with all the options, and now we can do polls. Here’s a sample for all of you to answer.
1:33 PM – All minor league exhibition games were cancelled this morning due to wet grounds. The heavy rain cleared out at 9:00 am, but the fields were deemed unplayable. Per Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe: John Lackey threw 74 pitches over five innings in a simulated game at the Player Development Complex.
Facing Carl Crawford, Kevin Youkilis and assorted minor leaguers, Lackey looked solid.
Jonathan Papelbon (21 pitches) and Daniel Bard (13) each pitched an inning.
Crawford and Youkilis each had nine at-bats.
10:45 AM – Most of the weather in Florida featured thunderstorms, lightning and heavy raining during the early morning, but the temps should reach in the mid 80′s. The Red Sox scratched John Lackey from his scheduled start in Dunedin, due to the rain, but he’s expected to pitch in a minor league today. I’m not sure who he is pitching for, but I can tell you that Portland and Pawtucket are playing at the Twins’ complex – so there’s a chance I could get some photos of Lackey.
Last night I had dinner with a couple of former Sea Dogs: Iggy Suarez (infielder and fan favorite) and Brad Pearson (Sea Dogs trainer, now the Red Sox Minor League Medical Director).
View of Ft. Myers Beach
It was pretty nice being perched up on the second floor of a very popular restaurant on the beach (Beached Whale, weird name), and have seven flat screen TV’s about 15 feet away. I can only imagine watching football during the December in shorts, and 90 degree-heat.
Yesterday was a camp day for the Red Sox Minor Leaguers, but the main attraction was Jon Lester, who pitched five innings in a intra-squad game. Lester allowed five runs (four earned) over five innings. Not sure why people even keep track of these stats, he was throwing a lot of fastballs on 0-2 counts, but did snap over some beautiful curve balls. Lester starts opening day for Boston in Texas this Friday. Jason Varitek caught Lester, and had about five at-bats. One of the thrills of the start was watching Luis Exposito park a towering homer over the right-field fence. It was a blast, and got both dugouts going.
Present catcher, but maybe future?
There was another occasion when Lester yelled out Kalish’s name after Ryan got a hit off him. I don’t think it was pronounced right, oh, Happy Birthday Ryan!
I’ll have some more reports around 4ish – but you can follow me on twitter at seadogsradio.
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