EL1 Portland Sea Dogs

Smoltz Works 3.1 Ip In Portland's 5-1 Win Over The Cats

Published on May 26, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release


(Portland, ME) - The Sea Dogs (22-22) used a 3-run second inning and LF Aaron Bates blasted his 5th homer in a 5-1 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (23-23) on Tuesday night in front of a record crowd of 8,903 at Merchantsauto.com Stadium. RHP John Smoltz worked 3.1 IP on 3 hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts and no walks in his second Major League rehabilitation start. Smoltz threw 60 pitches, 36 for strikes and left the game after DH Brian Dopirak flied out to right field with one out in the top of the fourth inning.

New Hampshire's run off Smoltz happened with two outs in the third inning. LF Todd Donovan (2-for-5) singled and advanced to second base on an error by RF Ryan Kalish. RF Adam Calderone cracked a run-scoring triple to right-center field. The 42-year-old veteran righty retired eight straight batters from the second batter of the first inning through the first two outs of the third.

Following Smoltz's appearance he addressed the media. "Overall I was very pleased with the outing but I was disappointed on two sliders that I left up in the zone in during the third (inning)," said Smoltz.

Portland scored the first runs of the series, posting three in the second inning off losing pitcher RHP Randy Boone (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO). Kalish (2-for-4, RBI) knocked in the first run with an infield RBI single, on the play, 3B Jorge Jimenez (2-for-4) scored on 2B Brad Emaus' error. 2B Ryan Khoury (1-for-3, RBI) doubled home the third run with two outs and has 4 RBI in his last two starts.

Bates (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) put the game away with a 2-run homer to right-center field off RHP Adrian Martin in the eighth inning. Bates has 21 RBI in May and two home runs this season off the New Hampshire right-hander.

RHP Jarod Plummer (3-1) earned the win in relief of Smoltz, working 3.2 IP on 3 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Plummer was slated to make his 8th start of the season in the series opener but was slated as the first reliever out of the bullpen for Portland. LHP Dustin Richardson wrapped up the win with two scoreless frames, including three strikeouts.

The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats play game two of their series on Wednesday night beginning at 7:05 PM from Merchantsauto.com Stadium. LHP Felix Doubront (3-2, 3.11) makes his 9th start of the season against RHP Rey Gonzalez, who takes the hill for the 10th time. Catch all the action on the U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network beginning at 6:35 PM with the CorrectDeck Pre-Game Show.

Notes...Smoltz became the 13th Major Leaguer to rehab with the Sea Dogs and the 7th as a Red Sox affiliate...C Mark Wagner went 2-for-5 and extended his season-high hitting streak to six games...Khoury has a walk in 12 of his last 17 starts...The 'Dogs have taken 3 of 4 from the Fisher Cats this season...Richardson has 36 strikeouts, the 3rd most on the team this season.

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Eastern League Stories from May 26, 2009


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