Portland Sea Dogs Win Four-Game Series Against Rock Cats

via Yawkey Way Report

After dropping the first game of the series, the Portland Sea Dogs were able to win three straight, including a 4-2 victory on Sunday, to defeat the New Britain Rock Cats in their four-game set at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, CT.

Portland responded in a big way after being defeated in the series opener, scoring 13 times in a wild comeback victory on Friday night.

The Sea Dogs entered the seventh inning trialling New Britain by a score of 10-4, and received a RBI single by Oscar Tejada and a grand slam from designated hitter Tim Roberson to bring Portland within a run. The Rock Cats responded with a run of their own off Sea Dogs' reliever Kyle Martin in the bottom half of the inning to make the score 11-9, but Portland was able to rally for two more runs in the ninth to tie the score.

Roberson stepped to the plate in the 10th inning with two runners on and needing just a triple to complete the third cycle in Sea Dogs' history, and delivered with a three-base hit to center field that scored Jantzen Witte and Oscar Tejeda to give Portland the 13-11 lead.

"Just one of those nights, I saw the ball well," Roberson told Kelsie Heneghan of MiLB.com. "Almost speechless and never expected that, but I'm blessed and happy that we got the win, most importantly. To do it at the professional level, and at the place I'm in here and in this moment, I'll definitely remember this one for the rest of my life."

Portland wasted no time in the series' third game, scoring five times in the first inning and never looking back. They added two more in the second on a Witte home run and a sacrifice fly by Keury De La Cruz, and scored single runs in the third and fourth to win by a final score of 9-4.

Justin Haley took the mound for the Sea Dogs for Sunday's rubber game, and was able to earn his first victory of the season after tossing six innings and allowing just two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out eight.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the fifth inning, Blake Tekotte hit a two-run homer to give Portland the 3-1 lead, his first home run of the season. Carlos Asuaje added a RBI single in the seventh, to give Portland the 4-2 lead.

The Sea Dogs have an off-day Monday before returning to Hadlock Field to take on the Altoona Curve for a three-game series beginning Tuesday night at 6:00 PM.

Yoan Moncada to Make Single-A Debut on Monday

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Yoan Moncada, who was one of the most highly touted international free-agents ever, is set to make his minor league debut for the Single-A Greenville Drive after spending a little over a month in extended Spring Training. Moncada signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox worth $31.5 million back in February, with Boston paying 100% tax on the contract for exceeding their international spending pool limits.

Moncada, a top-10 MLB prospect, is a switch-hitter who can play a variety of positions, including second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield. He reportedly spent time working with Greenville's staff during Spring Training, which should make the transition to playing in actual games a little easier on the 19-year old.

"He's just getting comfortable with the routine of everything," Greenville manager Darren Fenster told MiLB.com in Spring Training. "I think what everyone has to do and has to keep in mind, this is just a 19-year-old kid who has some incredible tools, but still needs a lot of work just to kind of improve every day, just like every single other guy out here.

Moncada played two seasons in the Cuban Serie Nacional, where he hit .277/.388/.380 with 11 doubles, four triples and four home runs to go with 28 RBIs over 101 games. So far, his plate approach seems very much the same here in America.

"You can already see that he's a professional who uses the whole field when he's hitting," Ben Crockett, who is the Red Sox director of player development told MiLB.com. "We've seen him drive the ball really well, but when he's in the cage, it isn't just a home run derby. He hits the ball where it's pitched and, for a young guy, he has a pretty good idea of what to do when he steps into the box already."

Moncada will make his full-season debut for the Greenville Drive against the Lexington Legends at Fluor Field on Monday night at 7:05 PM, and the game will be broadcasted live via MiLB.tv.

Tim Roberson Hits for Cycle in Wild Sea Dogs Victory

via Yawkey Way Report

Tim Roberson played the game of his career on Friday night, hitting for the cycle en route to a 13-11 comeback victory for the Portland Sea Dogs over the New Britain Rock Cats in front of 5,161 fans at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, CT.

“Just one of those nights, I saw the ball well,” Roberson told Kelsie Heneghan of MiLB.com. “Almost speechless and never expected that, but I’m blessed and happy that we got the win, most importantly. To do it at the professional level, and at the place I’m in here and in this moment, I’ll definitely remember this one for the rest of my life.”

After Carlos Asuaje reached base on throwing error in the bottom of the third, Roberson got his first hit of the game when he launched a ball to left field for a two-out double.

Portland entered the seventh inning trailing the Rock Cats by a score of 10-4 and after Oscar Tejeda delivered an RBI single, Roberson drilled the second pitch he saw from Tyler Ybarra for a grand slam home run, the first Double-A home run of his career.

“I was looking for a good pitch to hit. I kind of chased the first pitch, a curveball down, and I was just looking for something up and to put a good swing on it. And I got that and squared it up,” Roberson told Heneghan.
“It felt good because we’re down five at that point and it got us back to within one and we’re battling all night. And it felt really good to help the team out and get us within one.”

Trailing by two runs, Tejeda would reach on a lead-off walk to begin the ninth before advancing to second on a single by Roberson. Both runners were able to move up on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Luis Martinez and then scored on a two-run single by shortstop Marco Hernandez to tie the game at 11 runs a piece.

Needing just a triple to become the third player in Sea Dogs’ history to hit for the cycle, Roberson stepped to the plate in the 10th with two on and one out.

The 25-year old West Palm Beach, Florida native launched a ball to center field and as he rounded first base he could hear first base coach Joe Thurston encouraging him to “go for it.” Roberson realized Thurston was referring to a triple and sped up as he rounded second before cruising into third with a two-run go-ahead triple to give Portland the 13-11 lead.

Even though it took one extra frame to accomplish the rare feat, it was a game Roberson will soon forget.

“I got a pitch up and put a good swing on it and things happened from there,” he said. “Just blessed that I get to do this every day and be a part of this. And what happened tonight, I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. Some things have to happen [to get a triple] — I’m not the fastest guy in the world but luckily, tonight was in my favor.”

Portland Sea Dogs Fall Victim to Unearned Runs

(Photo Source: Yawkey Way Report)

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After a solid 4-1 series-opening victory against the Binghamton Mets at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, New York on Monday night, the Portland Sea Dogs were unable to overcome three unearned runs and dropped the second game by a final score of 3-1.

Mike McCarthy got the start and took the hard-luck loss for Portland, allowing no earned runs on five hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings. The loss brings McCarthy’s record to 2-3 on the season and his ERA currently sits at 5.32.

Portland took their first and only lead of the game in the top of the second inning, when center fielder Blake Tekotte notched and RBI single after Keury De La Cruz singled and Luis Martinez was hit by a pitch to set up runners at second and third. Tekotte has put up a respectable season for the ‘Dogs thus far, hitting .250/.337/.342 with six extra-base hits and nine runs batted in over 24 games.

Trouble for the Sea Dogs started in the bottom of the frame, when Josh Rodriguez singled on a ball to left field before advancing to second on a throwing error by Sea Dogs’ shortstop Mike Miller. Gavin Cecchini, brother of Red Sox prospect Garin Cecchini, then singled to center field to put the Mets on the board.

Portland again found themselves in trouble in the bottom of the fifth after Met’s left fielder Jared King reached on a Mike McCarthy throwing error before advancing to second on another throwing error by Luis Martinez. After a Brandon Nimmo fly-out, Binghamton received RBI singles from both T.J. Rivera and Josh Rodriguez to push the score to 3-1, where it would stay for the remainder of the game.

William Cuevas (3-1, 3.44 ERA) will take the mound for the Sea Dogs opposite Rainy Lara (2-0, 2.91 ERA) in the third game of the series on Wednesday night at 6:35 PM. Portland returns home to take on the Colorado Rockies Double-A affiliate New Britain Rock Cats on Friday night at Hadlock Field.

Photo Credit: Kyle Leeds Photography

Mike Augliera Shines in Sea Dogs 4-1 Victory Over Binghamton Mets

(Photo Source: Yawkey Way Report)

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The Portland Sea Dogs won their series opener against the B-Mets at NYSEG Stadium on Monday night by a final score of 4-1, led by a strong pitching performance from Binghamton University alumni, Mike Augliera.

Augliera allowed six hits and two walks over five innings, allowing just one run and striking out three. The victory was his first on the season, bringing his record to 4-1 with a 6.65 ERA.

Mets’ starter, John Gant, retired the first two batters in the top of the first inning before allowing two two-out singles to Jantzen Witte and Oscar Tejeda. With Keury De La Cruz at the plate, Tejada was picked off first, but a throwing error by Gant allowed Witte to score the game’s first run.

Brandon Nimmo, one of the New York Mets’ top prospects, scored the lone run for the Mets on a fielder’s choice by Jayce Boyd in the third inning. Augliera was able to get Josh Rodriguez to line out, however, to end the threat.

Portland came right back in the next frame, after Reed Gragnani singled to start the inning and Luis Martinez drilled a two-run home run to make the score 3-1. After Jonathan Roof and Blake Tekotte reached and were moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Mike Miller, second baseman Carlos Asuaje roped an RBI single, making the score 4-1.

Kyle Kraus and Kyle Martin provided scoreless relief in support of Augliera, tossing four combined shutout innings on just three hits and a single walk, while striking out three. Kyle Martin earned the save for his performance, his second of the season.

The Sea Dogs and Mets will look to continue their four-game series at NYSEG Stadium on Tuesday night, as Mike McCarthy takes the mound for Portland at 6:35 PM. Portland returns home after the four-game set to take on the New Britain Rock Cats at Hadlock Field starting Friday night at 6:00 PM.

Photo Credit: Kyle Leeds Photography

Sea Dogs' Jantzen Witte Making Transition from Third to First Look Easy

(Photo Source: Yawkey Way Report)

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Jantzen Witte has been one of the Portland Sea Dogs best hitters to this point in the season, posting a .348/.392/.500 line with seven extra-base hits, 19 runs batted in, seven runs scored and six walks in 18 games.

(Photo Source: Forrest Mulheron Photography)

He began his transition from third to first base in Spring Training last season, and so far has made the job look easy, posting a .996 fielding percentage at first base over 960 career innings.

“Last year I kind of got moved over there the last day of Spring Training, and then played the majority of my games at first,” Witte told Yawkey Way Report. “I actually felt okay with it.

“As far as ground balls and things like that, I don’t think it’s a huge adjustment, but as far as my footwork around the bag and picks and things like that, it looks so easy, but there’s a lot of stuff going on. A lot of moving parts that I think a lot of people don’t realize. That’s something that I am still working on.”

Witte was selected by the Red Sox in the 24th round of the First-Year player draft in 2013 out of Texas Christian University. He was named to the 1st-Team Academic All Big-12 Team his senior year, when he hit .293 with 15 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 34 runs batted in.

The 25-year old talked about how his college baseball career has helped ease the transition into professional baseball, although there are some major differences.

“I think anybody that played college baseball, they have so many more reps than these guys [that come out of] high school,” he said. “The earlier levels of [professional baseball], we have so much more experience in close ball games, and so many AB’s [while] facing some pretty good arms.

“I think the hardest thing to do is be consistent in pro ball, [because] you play so many games—[Double-A] is where the level is that everyone is at an even playing field.”

So far this season, the New England weather has had little effect on the Ft Worth, Texas native.

“In college we played in places like Air Force in Colorado in the snow. When we were in the
Mountain West, BYU, you know we’re up in the snow, it’s icy, so it’s something I have played in before,” he said. “It might take an extra one or two sprints to get loose, but you know, you just got to play the game regardless of what the temperature is like.”

In 181 career minor league games, Witte is hitting .293/.361/.457 with 13 home runs, 54 doubles, eight triples and 122 runs batted in while splitting time between third and first base.

Hanley Ramirez Exits Game After Spraining Shoulder

(May 3, 2015 - Source: Darren McCollester/Getty Images North America)

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According to the Boston Red Sox, left fielder Hanley Ramirez has been diagnosed with a shoulder sprain after colliding with the left field wall in the top of the first inning.

Clay Buchholz was able to retire the first two batters he faced, but left a first-pitch 94-MPH fastball out over the plate to Tampa Bay Rays' first baseman James Loney, which he promptly lined into the left field corner. Ramirez tracked down the ball, but was unable to hold onto it as he collided with the left field fence in foul territory. After retrieving the ball and firing it back to the infield, Ramirez dropped to one knee in obvious pain. Boston challenged the dropped ball, but the umpires upheld the call and Ramirez was charged with an error, which was later changed to a double for Loney.

Clay Buchholz would surrender two runs after nearly being out of the inning, and the Red Sox lost the series opener by a score of 5-1.

Allen Craig came into the game to replace Ramirez in left field, and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and three runners left on base.

Ramirez has had a history of health issues, and has already had a torn labrum in his left shoulder surgically repaired back in 2007, while he was a member of the Florida Marlins. He has missed significant time in three seasons, including playing in only 86 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013.

The 31-year-old Dominican native leads the Red Sox with 10 home runs on the season, and is currently hitting .283/.340/.609 with 22 runs batted in over 24 games. For his career, Ramirez is a .300/.372/.502 hitter with 201 home runs and 671 RBIs.

The injury to Ramirez is a significant blow to the Red Sox, who signed the shortstop turned left fielder to a four-year, $88 million contract this past off-season.

Forrest Mulheron is a Boston Red Sox/MLB Correspondent for Baseball Essential

Witte Goes 4 for 5, as Sea Dogs Unable to Complete Sweep of Phils

(Photo Source: Yawkey Way Report)

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Jantzen Witte had a big day Sunday for the Portland Sea Dogs, going 4 for 5 with a home run, two doubles, three runs batted in and two runs scored, but they were unable to complete the three-game sweep of the Reading Fightin Phils, losing by a final score of 6-5.

(Photo Source: Forrest Mulheron Photography)

Luis Diaz got the start for Portland, lasting 5 2/3 innings while allowing four earned runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out five. The loss is Diaz's second of the season, bringing his record to 0-2.

The Sea Dogs made things interesting heading into the ninth down 6-3, when Jantzen Witte hit a two-out, two-run double to make the score 6-5. Oscar Tejada was unable to keep the rally going, however, striking out on three pitches to end the game.

Portland opened the series on Friday with a 3-0 victory, with William Cuevas earning his third win of the season by tossing five shutout innings, allowing only three hits and a walk. Relievers Pat Light and Dyan Diaz combined for four shutout innings in support of Cuevas.

First baseman David Chester got the scoring started for the Sea Dogs in the top of the second inning, drilling a two-run home run to left-center field. They added another run in the top of the eighth on a sacrifice fly from catcher Luis Martinez.

Justin Haley took the mound for Portland in the middle-game of the series, but left after just 1/3 of an inning with what appeared to be a right groin injury. Simon Mercedes provided strong relief after coming in to replace Haley, allowing just one earned run on three hits and two walks over 4 2/3 innings.

After leaving the bases loaded in the first two innings, Keury De La Cruz was able to drive in the first run of the ball game on a single to right field which scored Oscar Tejada. Portland added three more runs in the eighth, on RBI hits by De La Cruz and Luis Martinez to make the final score 4-1.

The Sea Dogs will head to Binghamton, NY on Monday night for the first time this season to take on the 2014 Eastern League Champion Mets, with the game one of the series scheduled for 6:35 PM.

Hanley Ramirez Has Record Setting Month for Red Sox

(April 27, 2015 - Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)

With Rick Porcello on the mound for the Red Sox in the rubber match against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Wednesday, Hanley Ramirez blasted his Major League-leading 10th home run over the Green Monster, losing his helmet in the process. The home run tied Ramirez with renowned Red Sox slugger, David Ortiz, for the most homers by any Boston hitter before the month of May.

(April 28, 2015 - Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)

“I guess you could say it’s record-setting right?” Red Sox manager John Farrell told the Boston Herald. “He’s a force in the middle of the order, [against] different types of pitchers [in] key moments. He controls the strike zone. Fun to watch.”

It's tough to say where the Red Sox would be without Ramirez, whose 10 home runs have certainly helped a pitching staff that owns a Major League-worst 5.75 ERA.

“I prepared myself good in the off-season,” Ramirez told the Herald. “All the work I put in the off-season is coming through right now. I’m feeling good right now, but the main thing is Porcello. He came out today and threw a pretty good game. And the bullpen got a rest.”

Although this is the hottest start Ramirez has ever had in his career to date, he is not satisfied until he wins his first championship ring.

“Like Pedroia says, when you’re a champ, you do whatever you want,” shared Ramirez. “I haven’t been a champ yet. So, first I want to be a champ. Then I can sit down and see what I’ve done in this game.”

The last time a Red Sox slugger started the season this hot, David Ortiz would go on to break Boston's single season home run record with his 54 long balls in 2006. Ortiz has played a big part in Ramirez's success this year, speaking at length with him before the season about getting the most out of every at-bat.

Unfortunately Ramirez will not have another chance to add to his record pace, as the Red Sox have an off-day Thursday, before continuing their home stand against the rival New York Yankees on Friday night at Fenway Park to start the month of May