Results and Highlights from 5/30/12

Portland – 3 GM 1
Harrisburg – 2
WP: Billy Buckner (4-3, 3.20)
LP: Erik Davis (4-2, 2.81)
HR: Portland – Jeremy Hazelbaker (4), Bryce Brentz (6)

Portland (21-31) – 2 GM 2
Harrisburg (28-24) – 5
WP: Garcia (1-0, 1.45)
LP: Stolmy Pimentel (1-2, 5.04)
S: Nelo (5)
HR: Portland – Juan Carlos Linares (7)

HIGHLIGHTS: Game one starter Billy Buckner pitched all seven innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He had four strikeouts to bring his season total to 51, tied for fourth most in the Eastern League … Game two starter Stolmy Pimentel also went the distance for Portland, allowing 5 runs and 7 hits over 6 innings. He has allowed 10 runs and 13 hits in his last two starts … Derrik Gibson stole his seventh base of the season in game one and is tied for ninth in the Eastern League. Jeremy Hazelbaker stole his ninth base of the season in game two and is tied for seventh in the league … Hazelbaker’s game one homer gave him a round tripper in three straight game … Zach Gentile and Juan Carlos Linares were the only Sea Dogs to get a hit in both games, each getting one hit per game.

Norfolk (21-31) – 2
Pawtucket (34-20) – 3
WP: Justin Germano (5-3, 2.89)
LP: Brad Bergesen (2-3, 4.91)
S: Clayton Mortensen (2)
HR: Norfolk – Lew Ford (2), Jai Miller (7)

HIGHLIGHTS: Justin Germano allowed 2 runs and 7 hits over 7 innings for Pawtucket. It is the third time this season that he has gone 7 innings … Jose Iglesias “rested” for the fifth straight game … Mauro Gomez went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles. He now has 14 doubles on the season, tied for second most in the International League … Josh Kroeger went 2 for 4, his third straight 2-hit game. He is batting .341 over his last ten games … Relievers Tony Pena Jr. and Clayton Mortensen combined for 5 strikeouts in 2 innings.

New Britain (30-21) – 7
New Hampshire (20-30) – 2
WP: B.J. Hermsen (3-1, 2.68)
LP: Chad Jenkins (2-4, 4.98)
HR: New Britain – Aaron Hicks (6), Chris Herrmann (5)

HIGHLIGHTS: New Britain starter B.J. Hermsen retired the first thirteen batters he faced. He struck out 4 and allowed 2 runs on 7 hits over 8 2/3 innings … New Hampshire starter Chad Jenkins lasted 4 innings in his first start back from the disabled list. He allowed only 2 runs and 3 hits, but 2 of those hits were long balls. Jenkins has allowed 9 home runs this season, second most in the league … Rock Cats’ SS Estarlin de los Santos broke and 0 for 17 slump with a lead-off single in the seventh inning … New Hampshire’s Mike McDade went 1 for 3 to bring his batting average to .324, fifth best in the Eastern League. He is batting .354 with 8 home runs, 23 RBIs and 16 runs in the month of May … With the win the Rock Cats remain a half-game up on Reading in the Eastern Division. The Fisher Cats fall into a tie for last place with Portland.

Game Times and Pitchers for 5/30/12

Portland Sea Dogs (Billy Buckner 3-3, 3.28) GAME 1
vs. Harrisburg Senators (N/A) @ 6:00 p.m.

Portland Sea Dogs (Stolmy Pimentel 1-1, 4.44) GAME 2
vs. Harrisburg Senators (N/A) @ 45 mins. after game one

New Britain Rock Cats (B.J. Hermsen 2-1, 2.83)
vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Chad Jenkins 2-3, 5.03) @ 7:05 p.m.

Norfolk Tides (Brad Bergesen 2-2, 4.96)
vs. Pawtucket Red Sox (Justin Germano 4-3, 2.93) @ 7:05 p.m.

Results and Highlights from 5/19/12

Binghamton (20-20) – 6
Portland (15-26) – 5 (10 inn.)
WP: Brad Holt (2-0)
LP: Will Latimer (1-3)
S: Adrian Rosario (1)
HR: Binghamton – Pedro Zapata (1), Raul Reyes (2)
Portland – Reynaldo Rodriguez (8), Bryce Brentz (4)

HIGHLIGHTS: Sea Dogs’ starter Stolmy Pimentel threw 6 scoreless innings, scattering 4 hits and 2 walks to go along with 6 strikeouts … Portland center fielder Ronald Bermudez was the only player in the game without a hit … Reynaldo Rodriguez was 1 for 4 with a 2-run homer, his seventh in the month of May. The franchise mark for home runs in May was set by Ryan Lavarnway last season when he hit eight … Jeremy Hazelbaker stole his team-high 7th base of the season. He is tied for seventh in the E.L. … Both teams struck out ten times. Binghamton leads the Eastern League having struck out as a team 322 times. Portland is a close second with 317 whiffs.

Trenton (21-18) – 3
New Hampshire (16-24) – 1
WP: Preston Claiborne (2-2)
LP: Randy Boone (0-2)
S: Ryan Flannery (5)
HR: New Hampshire – John Tolisano (1)

HIGHLIGHTS: New Hampshire starter Randy Boone, who is working his way back after Tommy John surgery, left the game in the first inning after experiencing some discomfort. He allowed 1 run on 3 hits in a 1/3 of an inning … John Tolisano went 2 for 3 and connected for his first home run of the season and first since August of last year … Catcher Sean Ochinko picked up his first AA hit, a line-drive single up the middle in the ninth inning … Brian Van Kirk went 1 for 4 to extend his hit streak to seven games … The Fisher Cats move to 6-11 in May with the loss.

New Britain (25-16) – 3
Reading (23-17) – 2
WP: Blake Martin (1-1)
LP: Michael Cisco (2-2)
S: Luis Perdomo (1)
HR: Reading – Leandro Castro (2)

HIGHLIGHTS: Starter Andrew Albers pitched 6 innings, allowed 2 earned runs, 9 hits and walk. After allowing only 1 walk in his first five starts, he has allowed 1 in each of his last three … Luis Perdomo worked a perfect ninth inning for his first save of the season … Chris Herrmann went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI … Aaron Hicks went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored and his 10th stolen base. He is tied for fourth in the Eastern League in steals.

Pawtucket (27-17) – 4
Norfolk (18-24) –8
WP: Pat Neshek (2-0)
LP: Justin Germano (4-3)
HR: Norfolk – Brandon Waring (1)

HIGHLIGHTS: Starter Justin Germano had his shortest outing of the season, going only 3 innings after allowing 6 runs on 7 hits and two walks. His ERA jumped from 1.99 to 2.98 … Scott Podsednik went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, a run and his 2nd stolen base with the PawSox. He has hit safely in six of the seven games since joining Pawtucket … The rehabbing Kevin Youkilis played his second straight game at third base, but was not tested in the field. He went 1 for 4 at the plate with 2 strikeouts … Jose Iglesias went 1 for 4 and is now batting .282 on the season when he was at just .200 heading into the month. He has hit safely in five straight games and has 10 hits in that span … It is the third time this season that the PawSox have dropped 3 or more games in a row.

Game Times and Pitchers for 5/19/12

Stolmy Pimentel returns for the Sea Dogs after a short stint on the 7-day DL for a blister on his throwing hand. Still basking in the glory of his first AA win (after 18 starts), Pimentel will get his first start of the season against Binghamton. The BMets are set to counter with Jenrry Mejia, a top-three Mets pitching prospect who is making his way back from Tommy John surgery.

The Rock Cats put Andrew Albers on the mound tonight in Reading as the Rock Cats look to increase their miniscule ½ game lead over the RPhils. Albers was handed his only loss of the season last Sunday against Reading. In 42 innings this year, he has struck out 34 batters and allowed only 3 walks. Reading has Julio Rodriguez starting, the 17th ranked prospect in the Phillies system according to Baseball America.

In Manchester, Randy Boone gets his third start with the Fisher Cats looking for better results than the past two. In 9 1/3 innings with New Hampshire Boone has allowed 10 earned runs and 16 hits, 5 of which have been home runs.

The PawSox have Justin Germano on the hill as the I.L. North leaders invade Norfolk for a four-game series. Germano picked up a loss in his last outing despite not allowing an earned run. His 1.99 ERA and 0.93 WHIP are both second best in the International League.

Binghamton Mets (Jenrry Mejia 0-0, 0.00)
vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Stolmy Pimentel 1-0, 4.11) @ 1:00 p.m.

New Britain Rock Cats (Andrew Albers 1-1, 4.50)
vs. Reading Phillies (Julio Rodriguez 3-0, 2.25) @ 6:05 p.m.

Trenton Thunder (Adam Miller NR)
vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Randy Boone 0-1, 9.64) @ 7:05 p.m.

Pawtucket Red Sox (Justin Germano 4-2, 1.99)
vs. Norfolk Tides (Steve Johnson 1-3, 2.74) @ 7:15 p.m.

Results and Highlights from 5/14/12

Columbus (18-19) – 5
Pawtucket (25-14) – 3
WP: Eric Berger (1-1)
LP: Justin Germano (4-2)
S: Chris Ray (6)
HR: Columbus – Matt LaPorta (10)
Pawtucket – Lars Anderson (2)

HIGHLIGHTS: Pawtucket starter Justin Germano picked up his first loss since April 13th despite not allowing 1 earned run. He lowered his ERA to 1.99, fourth best in the International League … Junichi Tazawa pitched a perfect two innings of relief, striking out 3 batters … Scott Podsednik went 2 for 3 with a triple and a run scored in his second game with the PawSox … Alex Hassan went 0 for 3 with 3 strikeouts and a walk. It was the first time in more than four games that he struck out … In the thirteen games since Will Middlebrooks was called up to Boston, replacements at the third base position have a combined .256 batting average with 1 home run, 4 RBIs and 8 runs.

Portland (13-24) – 2
Reading (22-14) – 1
W: Chris Martin (3-3)
L: Jonathan Pettibone (2-4)
S: Josh Fields (2)

HIGHLIGHTS: Sea Dogs’ starter Chris Martin pitched five innings, allowed 5 hits, 0 walks, struck out 6 and did not allow an earned run … After a 5 for 5 day at the plate on Sunday, Bryce Brentz proceeded to collect hits in his first three at-bats on Monday before striking out in the ninth inning to halt his consecutive hit streak at 8 at-bats … Left fielder Oscar Tejada went 1 for 4 with a double and a run scored. He extended his hit streak to eight games … Kolbin Vitek went 1 for 4 with his first triple of the season. Of his 33 hits this year, 8 have been for extra bases.

Game Times and Pitchers for 5/14/12

The PawSox are on fire again with five straight wins and nine over their last ten. This afternoon they will attempt to sweep their third four-game series of the season with Justin Germano going in his eighth start of year. He has allowed 2 earned runs in each of his last three starts and has won back-to-back games. Germano boasts a 27-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 0.94 WHIP.

Portland starts up a three game set against the E.L. Eastern Division leading Reading Phillies. The Sea Dogs were swept in a four-game season-opening series in Reading and are 1-7 against the RPhils this year. Stolmy Pimentel, fresh off his first AA win, will look to turn this trend around. Pimentel is making his fourth start of the season and second against Reading. Back on April 27th he did not factor into the decision after allowing 7 hits and striking out 7 over five innings.

Both New Hampshire and New Britain have off days. The two will kick off a four game series against each other with a double header tomorrow night at New Britain Stadium.

Columbus Clippers (Kevin Slowey 2-3, 5.79)
vs. Pawtucket Red Sox (Justin Germano 4-1, 2.29) @ 12:05 p.m.

Portland Sea Dogs (Stolmy Pimentel 1-0, 4.11)
vs. Reading Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone 2-3, 3.98) @ 6:35 p.m.

Results and Highlights from 5/9/12

New Hampshire (13-18) – 4
Portland (11-21) – 5
WP: Stolmy Pimentel (1-0)
LP: Fernando Hernandez (0-1, 4.15)
S: Charle Rosario (2)
HR: New Hampshire – Brad Glenn (4)
Portland – Bryce Brentz (3)

HIGHLIGHTS: In his 18th start with Portland Stolmy Pimentel picked up his first AA win. He went 6 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 5 hits and a walk … Sea Dogs DH Bryce Brentz went 2 for 4 and hit his second home run in as many days. It was his fourth multi-hit game in his last seven … Portland’s Juan Carlos Linares went 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, 2 RBIs and 2 runs. He is now batting .341, fourth best in the Eastern League … New Hampshire’s Mike McDade went 3 for 4, raising his batting average to .318, good enough for ninth in the E.L.

Rochester (14-18) – 2
Pawtucket (21-13) – 5
WP: Justin Germano (4-1)
LP: Cole DeVries (0-3)
S: Mark Melancon (2)
HR: Rochester – Joe Thurston (2)

HIGHLIGHTS: Starter Justin Germano threw 6 innings and allowed 6 hits, 2 walks and 2 runs en route to his fourth win of the season … Mark Melancon gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning. He has yet to allow a run or a walk in nine appearances (9 2/3 innings) and has struck out 17 batters … Daniel Nava went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs, raising his batting average to .316, 12th best in the International League. As recently as April 27th his average was .228 … Jose Iglesias went 2 for 5 with a run scored and 2 strikeouts. It is the sixth two-hit game in his last seven … Mauro Gomez snapped an 0 for 13 streak with a 2-RBI single in the bottom of the first.

New Britain (20-12) – 5
Binghamton (14-17) – 1
WP: Luis Perdomo (3-2)
LP: Erik Turgeon (1-3)
HR: New Britain – Wilkin Ramirez (1)

HIGHLIGHTS: Luis Perdomo pitched a scoreless seventh inning to pick up his third win in his last four appearances. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 10 1/3 innings .. Reliever Caleb Thielbar struck out 3 and allowed only 1 hit over the final two innings. Since being called up from Ft. Myers he has made 4 appearances and has not allowed a run in 6 2/3 innings … Wilkin Ramirez went 3 for 5 with a double and his first home run as a Rock Cat. Of 8 games with New Britain, four have been multi-hit … Joe Benson went 1 for 5 and is 1 for 9 in the two games played with New Britain since being demoted from AAA Rochester.

Game times and Pitchers for 5/9/12

Brett Cecil gets his fourth start of the season as the Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs jump start their three game series after a rain out on Tuesday. Cecil was expected to start the season with the Blue Jays, but was demoted at the last possible moment. Unfortunately he has yet to show any reason why he should be considered for a recall, allowing 10 earned runs and 20 hits over 12 1/3 innings. Stolmy Pimentel goes for Portland, still in search of his first AA victory in 18th try.

Justin Germano might not get any press as someone destined for the daily shuttle ride to Boston, but he is quietly putting together a solid campaign for the PawSox. In six starts he has allowed only 8 runs on 26 hits and 4 walks, with 22 strikeouts in 33 1/13 innings.

The Rock Cats put Steve Hirschfeld up against the BMets as they look to take both game of their rain shortened series. Despite pitching 5 or more innings in each of his six starts, Hirschfeld has picked up three straight losses, allowing 11 runs and 27 hits over 17 2/3 innings.

New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Brett Cecil 0-2, 7.30)
vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Stolmy Pimentel 0-0, 5.79) @ 6:00 p.m.

Rochester Red Wings (Cole DeVries 0-2, 2.89)
vs. Pawtucket Red Sox (Justin Germano 3-1, 2.16) @ 6:15 p.m.

New Britain Rock Cats (Steve Hirschfeld 2-3, 3.38)
vs. Binghamton Mets (Collin McHugh 4-2, 2.62) @ 6:35 p.m.

Results and Notes from 4/23/12

Durham – 0 GAME 1
Pawtucket – 2
WP: Justin Germano (2-1)
LP: Chris Archer (1-3)
S: Andrew Miller (1)

Durham (6-13) – 1 GAME 2
Pawtucket (14-5) – 7
WP: Aaron Cook (3-0)
LP: Lance Pendleton (0-1)
HR: Pawtucket – Will Middlebrooks (8)

HIGHLIGHTS: In game one Justin Germano threw six scoreless innings, allowing only 3 hits while striking out 5. He has been unscored upon in 15 1/3 straight innings … Andrew Miller struck out two of the three batters he faced and earned his first career save on any level … 35-year-old catcher Mike Rivera made his debut with the PawSox in game one, going 2 for 3 with and RBI. Rivera was cut by Milwaukee at the end of Spring Training and was signed by the Red Sox to a minor league deal on April 20th … Will Middlebrooks connected for his 8th home run of the season in game two. He has hit 5 home runs over his last six games … Aaron Cook pitched all seven innings in game two for his third win. He allowed 1 earned run, 8 hits and 2 walks, with 2 strikeouts.

Portland (5-14) – 5
New Britain (12-6) – 3
WP: Chris Hernandez (1-1)
LP: Steve Hirschfeld (2-1)
S: Caleb Clay (1)

HIGHLIGHTS: Sea Dogs starter Chris Hernandez allowed 1 earned run in 5 1/3 innings, lowering his ERA from 1.72 to 1.71 … Portland’s Jeremy Hazelbaker went 1 for 4 with a double and 2 RBIs, running his hit streak to seven games … Only three players in the game went hitless; Portland’s Dan Butler (0 for 1, 2 BBs, HBP) and Heiker Meneses (0 for 4), and New Britain’s Chris Colabello (0 for 5).

Game Times and Pitchers for 4/23/12

The PawSox suffered their first rain out of the season yesterday, so they will double-up against Durham tonight with two seven inning affairs starting at 5:05 p.m. The weather looks like it will clear in plenty of time for Pawtucket to put their six-game win streak to the test. Justin Germano gets the game one nod after tossing seven scoreless innings against Syracuse last Tuesday. Cook went the distance in a seven-inning game back on April 7th against Lehigh Valley. He faces Chris Archer, ranked by Baseball America as the No. 3 prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays system. It will be the fourth start for both Germano and Cook who have gone 5+ innings in each of their prior three.

The Sea Dogs pull into New Britain after wishing they were rained out yesterday in Binghamton where there Mets completed a four game sweep of the Dogs. Portland dropped two of three to the Rock Cats at Hadlock Field last week and have lost every game in which they have allowed four or more runs this season. In his last start, Portland’s Chris Hernandez struck out 8 Rock Cats and did not allow an earned run in 5 2/3 innings, but did not factor into the decision. New Britain gives David Bromberg his second start of the season. After opening the season in pen, he was stretched to three innings in his first start versus Portland last Tuesday when he allowed 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats have an off day and will start a three game series in Binghamton on Tuesday.

Durham Bulls (Ryan Reid 2-0, 3.97) GAME 1
Pawtucket Red Sox (Justin Germano 1-1, 2.12) @ 5:05 p.m.

Durham Bulls (Chris Archer 1-2, 9.95) GAME 2
Pawtucket Red Sox (Aaron Cook 2-0, 1.35) @ 45 minutes after game 1

Portland Sea Dogs (Chris Hernandez 0-1, 1.72)
vs. New Britain Rock Cats (David Bromberg 0-0, 18.00) @ 6:35 p.m.