Dice-K struggles as \'Cats sweep Portland 5-3 and 4-0
August 30, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
(Manchester, NH) - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (62-72) swept the Portland Sea Dogs (62-71) in a doubleheader, 5-3 and 4-0 on Sunday evening at Merchantsauto.com Stadium in front of 7,860 fans. Portland has dropped the first four games of the series and holds a ½ game lead over New Hampshire for 4th place in the Northern Division. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka made a Major League Rehabilitation Assignment for Portland in the opener, suffering the loss, throwing 58 pitches/32 strikes and lasting just two frames.
Game 1 recap
Matsuzaka (0-1) surrendered five runs on four hits, three walks and two strikeouts. New Hampshire scored all five runs in the first inning, receiving a lead-off homer by LF Todd Donovan. Matsuzaka did not retire the first five batters, allowing two walks, a single and a run-scoring double to 1B Scott Cooper. After CF Darin Mastroianni struck out, C Brian Jeroloman looped a 2-run double to left-center field, SS Jonathan Diaz walked and 3B Bryan Kervin knocked in the final with a sacrifice fly.
LHP Luis Perez (9-11) beat the Sea Dogs for the second time this season, hurling six strong innings on four hits and three runs (two earned). The lefty issued two walks, fanned five and yielded a 2-run homer to C Juan Apodaca in the 4th inning. RHP Danny Farquhar fanned the side in the seventh to earn his 13th save of the year.
Portland grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning off Perez on DH Jon Still's 2-out RBI single, scoring LF Daniel Nava. Still leads all Red Sox Minor players with 85 RBI.
Game 2 recap
Portland scored twice in the sixth inning but their rally fell short as LHP Wilfredo Ledezma (1-1) worked the final three innings to earn the win for New Hampshire. Ledezma relieved spot-starter LHP Nate Starner, who worked four scoreless innings.
LHP Felix Doubront (8-6) suffered the loss for Portland, allowing five hits, four runs (three earned) with one walk and three strikeouts. The Fisher Cats took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when DH Brian Van Kirk led off with a double and scored on a single by LF Todd Donovan. In the fourth, 1B David Cooper walked and RF Nick Gorneault skied a 2-run homer down the left-field line. In the fifth inning, Doubront hit 2B Brad Emaus and committed a throwing error to allow Emaus to score from first base.
The Sea Dogs scored twice with two outs in the sixth inning off Ledezma. RF Jason Place was hit on the leg, SS Iggy Suarez walked and 2B Ryan Khoury delivered a 2-run double to right field for the final runs of the game.
The Sea Dogs play their final road game of the season on Monday night against the Fisher Cats from Merchantsauto.com Stadium beginning at 7:05 PM. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 3:35 PM with the Pre-Game Show built by CorrectDeck.
Notes...Matsuzaka became the third Major League rehab stint for the Sea Dogs this season - all three at Merchantsauto.com Stadium (INF Jed Lowrie and RHP John Smoltz)...RHP Chris Province worked four scoreless innings on two hits, one walk and three strikeouts.
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