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[Cuzittt]

Today's Game:

EL: Portland (http://www.sonsofsam...ok/external.png) center right no-repeat; padding-right: 13px; border-bottom: 1px dotted #3366BB; color: #3366BB; cursor:pointer; text-decoration:none;" class="wiki">Devern Hansack) @ Akron (Adam Miller) [7:05pm]

Seadogs get another chance

The Portland Sea Dogs face a rematch with the Akron Aeros for the Eastern League championship, starting a five-game series Tuesday in Ohio.

Akron defeated the Altoona Curve 5-2 Sunday night in Game 5 of the Southern Division series at Canal Park in Ak- ron.

The Aeros defeat- ed the Sea Dogs last season in the league finals, three games to one. Porland won the first game at Hadlock Field, then lost three straight, one in Portland and two in Akron.

This year, Akron is the host team for the first two games Tuesday and Wednesday, tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m.

After a travel day Thursday, the series shifts to Portland on Friday and, if necessary, Saturday and Sunday. All games at Hadlock will start at 6 p.m.

Old Dogs

For the Eastern League Championship Series, which begins tonight in Akron, those second-hand players can be a bargain.

"Experience," Todd Claus said, summing up their advantage.

Just look at the Sea Dogs' starting infield. First baseman Luis Jimenez, 24, is the kid of the bunch, and he's been playing pro ball since he was 17.

Then there is second baseman David Bacani, 27, already a two-time Eastern League All-Star; shortstop Keoni De Renne, 27, who has been in Triple-A the previous two seasons.

And, at third base, is Brian Myrow, 30. This time last year, Myrow was batting for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

So why are these guys back in Double-A? Hey, things happen.

[....]

The Aeros love to run, but are without their best base-stealer. All-Star second baseman Elder Torres (41 steals) is out with a broken jaw, an injury suffered after a punch from teammate and relief pitcher Bubbie Buzachero, who has been removed from the roster.

-Brandon

[Hairps]

FirstInning's Chris Constancio's Championship Series Preview:

Eastern League

The Red Sox' Double-A affiliate, the Portland Sea Dogs, clinched a series victory over the Yankees' Double-A affiliate with a 10th inning home run by Brandon Moss on Saturday night. The Sea Dogs prevailed in a series that featured the Yankees' two top pitching prospects, Philip Hughes and Tyler Clippard.

The Akron Aeros (Cleveland Indians Double-A affiliate) won their first two games against the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates Double-A affiliate), but they were not able to clinch a spot in the finals until yesterday's final game of the series.

Prospects to Watch

The middle of the Sea Dogs lineup will include three players who could help the Red Sox before 2008. Jacoby Ellsbury is a gifted centerfielder who has been hitting for more power as the season progresses. George Kottaras, the catcher acquired for David Wells two weeks ago, already has a double, home run, and four walks in just three games since joining the club. Brandon Moss, a 22-year-old outfielder, has been making contact more often since his disappointing 2005 season in Portland, and should join Ellsbury in Pawtucket's outfield next year.

Akron's center fielder, Trevor Crowe, is a similar type of hitter to Ellsbury. The Indians are toying with the idea of moving Crowe to second base because the organization has other plans for center field, but Crowe has moved back to his more familiar position in the outfield for the playoff run.

Akron's pitching staff will be led by Adam Miller. Miller established himself as Cleveland's top pitching prospect in the minor leagues after striking out 157 batters in 153 innings for Akron this year.

Prediction

Akron will win the series in four games. Portland is well-rested and coming off an exciting series, but their over-achieving pitching staff probably won't be able to contain the Aeros' league-leading offense.

[Section15Box113]

Through 2 innings in Akron, 3-0 Sea Dogs behind Hansack.

- Two runs in the first (RBI singles by Durbin and Myrow)
- One in the second (Bacani leadoff triple, scores on DeRenne ground out)

Getting to Miller early. Hansack 1 hit and 2 Ks so far.

Edited by Section15Box113, 12 September 2006 - 07:24 PM.

[Section15Box113]

Update through 4 full:
4-0 Portland.

- Sea Dogs added a run in the 3rd on a Jimenez solo shot.

Miller:
4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Hansack:
4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Both still in there.

Edited by Section15Box113, 12 September 2006 - 07:39 PM.

[Section15Box113]

Through 6 full:
Still 4-0 Portland.

Miller's settled in. Struck out one in the fifth and the side in the sixth:
6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Hansack:
6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

Moss has two hits.

And we go to the 7th. Lefty Reid Santos on to pitch for the Aeros....

Edited by Section15Box113, 12 September 2006 - 08:11 PM.

[Section15Box113]

Nice outing for Hansack. Final line:
7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Jackson on for the bottom of the 8th, looking to protect the 4-0 lead.

Unfortunately, the inning is a bit of an adventure:

Akron: Bottom 8th

Jackson pitching.
Ochoa reached on an infield single. Advances to 2nd on a balk.
Toregas singled to left, scoring Ochoa. Durbin throws out Toregas trying to advance to second.
Crowe doubled to right.

Hertzler relieved Jackson.
Pinckney grounded out 6-3, Crowe to 3rd.
Goleski reached on an infield single, Crowe scored.
Barton tripled to right, Goleski scored.

Bumatay relieved Hertzler.
Snyder fouled out.

And we go to the 9th, 4-3 Portland.

Edited by Section15Box113, 12 September 2006 - 09:03 PM.

[Crazy Puppy]

4-3 Portland, bottom 9.

Edgar Martinez in to try to close it out.

[Section15Box113]

And he does!

6-3 and two Ks.

FINAL SCORE, 4-3 PORTLAND.

[Tudor Fever]

Edgar closes it out successfully, and the Dogs win, 4-3.

[Cuzittt]

Portland wins the first game of the Eastern League Championship Series, defeating Akron 4-3.

Devern Hansack went the first 7 innings, giving up 4 hits and striking out 6. It takes 3 pitchers to go through the 8th, each getting one out. Kyle Jackson was the first, giving up 3 hits, a Balk and 2 runs. Barry Hertzler was the second, giving up 2 hits and a run. Mike Bumatay was the final pitcher, facing a single batter. Edgar Martinez closed it out with a perfect 9th, striking out 2.

Chris Durbin and Brandon Moss each led the offense, going 2/4, Durbin with a double. Jacoby Ellsbury went 2/5. Brian Myrow and David Bacani each went 1/3 with a walk, Bacani with a triple and a SB. Luis Jimenez went 1/4 with a solo HR. George Kottaras went 0/5. Jeremy West and Keoni de Renne each went 0/4.

Boxscore

-Brandon

[Cuzittt]

Game Story

Devern Hansack threw seven shutout innings with a nasty array of pitches. Still, the Portland Sea Dogs needed more tough pitches - and one huge throw - to beat the Akron Aeros 4-3 Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern League championship series at Canal Park.

Akron rallied for three runs in the eighth inning and might have scored more. But left fielder Chris Durbin threw a runner out at second base and reliever Mike Bumatay retired the dangerous Brad Snyder with the tying run on third.

Closer Edgar Martinez shut down the Aeros in order in the ninth for the save.

Luis Jimenez hit a solo home run, and Durbin, Brian Myrow and Keoni De Renne also knocked in a run each for Portland.

"We pieced it together," Portland Manager Todd Claus said.

-Brandon