It’s a joyous sunny day in Portland, Maine, as the Sea Dogs host the Fisher Cats for the second game of the series. The Sea Dogs have suffered through SEVEN postponements at home this season, and Friday night’s drizzle-fest was about as worse as it gets.
Today the sun is shining, and it was 52 degrees for the first pitch. I’m looking forward to a matchup between NH lefty David Purcey (3-0, 0.89 ERA) and Portland leadoff sensation Jacoby Ellsbury, batting .650 (13-for-20) against the Fisher Cats this season. Sunday’s “On Baseball” column will analyze the matchup and the players’ bright future. They’ll probably each wear a big-league uniform at some point this season, at the very least getting a September call-up. Purcey may be asked to join the Toronto pitching staff later this summer.
– It’s a homecoming for Fisher Cats hitting coach Ken Joyce, a Maine native and member of Portland’s field staff during Kevin Millar’s playing days here. Back then, Portland was affiliated with the Florida Marlins. “Millar had T-shirts made up that said, ‘Real Men Wear Teal’,” Joyce said.
– Congrats to Portland beat writer Kevin Thomas and his family as they welcome the latest addition to KT’s gang, daughter Keira Eve.
– Purcey worked off the outside corner against Ellsbury and induced a fly out to left field in the first inning … NH slugger Chip Cannon struck out in the second inning and has fanned at least once in every game this season.
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Fisher Cats alum Adam Lind popped his first home run of the season with a solo shot against Texas starter Robinson Tejada on Friday. Lind says major-league pitchers are mostly pounding him with fastballs, standard treatment for a rookie who’s still new on the scene.
Daisuke Matsuzaka blew a strike-three fastball past Lind and seemed to find a hole in his swing, burying inside breaking pitches against the lefty. Lind struck out three times that night in Toronto.
“I don’t think pitchers really change. They’re pitching to their strengths regardless of my weaknesses,” Lind said. “I had pitches to hit (against Dice-K) and just didn’t hit them. It wasn’t that big of a deal. I’ve had four K’s in a game before. Just get up the next day and get right back in there.”
WHAT A FINISH to the eight-game homestand for the Fisher Cats. Chip Cannon destroyed a pitch from Binghamton lefty Ryan Cullen in the 13th inning for a 5-4 walk-off win on Thursday.
It was the 37th career Fisher Cats homer for Cannon, one of the game’s top power prospects and Arizona Fall League MVP. However, it’s been a tough month for the Citadel slugger, batting .158 after striking out 29 times in 57 at bats. Eastern League pitchers are having success throwing an assortment of off-speed stuff to Cannon, who ate up fastballs in the Arizona Fall League.
“Chip Cannon’s problem isn’t hitting a fastball. It’s being able to hit a curveball or changeup that’s a strike. He needs to learn how to hit that pitch hard, and learn how to not swing at that pitch when it’s not in the strike zone,” NH manager Bill Masse said. “He’s been stuck in that phase where he’s taking strikes and swinging at balls. To his credit, he’s working. He’s been here early working on it.”
Lefty Jo Matumoto, a deceptive lefty who pitched for the Brazilian national team last year, stretched to 9 1/3 innings his scoreless innings streak and earned his first win Wednesday night. Through six appearances, Matumoto has given up only three hits, striking out seven with one walk. Right-handers have gone 1-for-17 (.059) against the 5-foot-10 southpaw.
“He’s around the plate. His breaking ball is getting better,” Masse said. “His changeup is a little bit weak. He needs to work on his changeup to get right-handers out.”
JUST GOT BACK from Fenway Park, where the largest crowd (37,161) since World War II saw the worst game of the season. The Red Sox committed four errors in the 10-3 loss to Toronto, including a comical throw from Manny Ramirez and dropped liner by Wily Mo Pena.
My highlights:
1), Fisher Cats alum Adam Lind smacking two hits and scoring three runs. Lind, 23, is like a kid enjoying his first trip to Fenway Park. Gifted hitter, too. He just steps into the box with seemingly no routine and hits everything on the button.
“Adam Lind rakes. He just rakes,” Aaron Hill said.
Added Vernon Wells, “He’s one of those few people who are a natural when it comes to hitting. There’s no method to his madness.”
2), I got a chance to catch up with Blue Jays third base coach Brian Butterfield, a Bangor, Maine, native who is one of those great baseball guys of the game. He was telling me how Hill is one of the most mentally focused younger players of today. Check my story in Wednesday’s edition for a look at Hill. To me, it’s amazing how he rebounded from a dismal start to 2006 and finished with a .291 average.
3), I have to admit, it was great when Hill blew off a TV reporter and camera man to speak with the New Hampshire Union Leader. We go back to his days with the Fisher Cats in 2004. Today he’s viewed as a rising star of the game, but, to me, he’s still a young kid out of LSU who enjoyed listening to the guitar player at Wildrover Tavern.
4), Insider’s note: the Blue Jays contacted Fisher Cats manager Bill Masse to complete their scouting report on Yankees rookie Philip Hughes, who makes his big-league debut against the Blue Jays on Thursday. Hughes played for Masse at Trenton last year.
5), Got chance to check out the new Tony Conigliaro $25 bleacher-style seats atop the right-field wall. Those are a good deal for the price, but they can’t touch the $25 standing-room ticket at the State Street Pavilion on the third-base side. That’s where I’ll watch some of the game while taking a break from the press box. Absolutely beautiful view and it feels like you’re on top of the action.
PEOPLE WANT TO TALK about my shirt, so let’s talk. This pineapple-pattern creation was purchased in Manhattan’s garment district for $4. It’s 50 percent rayon, 50 percent polyester, which gives it that “maybe it’s expensive” sheen. It’s my favorite summer shirt, and I’ve worn to the ballpark several times while on assignment.
WGAM Radio star Mike Mutnansky asked me about the shirt on the airwaves yesterday. An e-mailer told me “grandpappy has the same one.” Some people hate it. Some love it.
Let’s take a vote, shall we? Submit a “yes” or “no” on the shirt by clicking on the comment link or sending an email to kgray@unionleader.com. I will post the best comments, and, of course, keep a running tally on the vote.
In the end, if there’s enough pressure, we’ll reshoot the blog picture with another shirt. Perhaps I’ll wear my authentic Homestead Grays jersey. Or not.
9:40 p.m. — Final score. Jays 2, Sox 1. Gustavo Chacin simply loves pitching against the Red Sox, and he’s scheduled to face them again on Monday at Fenway Park. Chacin’s career stats through eight starts against Boston: 6-0, 43.1 IP, 3.73 ERA, 18 ER, 47 H, 13K, 15BB … The Blue Jays have now beaten Boston 13 of the past 20 times.
9:35 p.m. — Interesting move by Jays manager John Gibbons to bring in temporary closer RHP Jason Frasor to face Ortiz in the eighth. Lefty Scott Downs had been warming, but Gibbons went with his gut — and it worked.
9:12 p.m. — Chacin, done for the night after 97 pitches, was given a standing ovation while exiting with a runner aboard in the seventh. Ex-Fisher Cat starter Casey Janssen entered the game and retired Wily Mo Pena on one pitch. Chacin’s line: 6.2 IP, 1R, 5H, 0BB, 2K
9:07 p.m. — Close the book on Dice-K, who turned in another superb outing. Six innings, 10 strikeouts, three hits, two runs. He probably would’ve left the game with a 1-0 lead if Lugo had made the play in the fourth. In three games now, the Boston offense has given Dice-K only five runs of support.
8:55 p.m. — Chacin is in position to improve to 6-0 against the Red Sox. He’s thrown 84 pitches through six innings and allowed five hits … However, Toronto’s bullpen will be asked to preserve this one, and the Jays are missing closer B.J. Ryan (disabled list). Expect some late-inning lightning against a thin Jays’ bullpen.
8:20 p.m. — Jays 2, Sox 1. Julio Lugo botched a potential double-play on a sharply hit ball by Lyle Overbay, and Dice-K briefly lost his command. I’m really surprised Lugo missed that one. After all, Lugo played four seasons on artificial turf for Tampa Bay. Lugo’s got to at least knock that ball down. Instead, he missed completely on the one-hopper.
8:13 p.m. — Dice-K’s delivery in which he pauses momentarily would drive me crazy as a hitter (and Chacin is even more herky-jerky). Lind is having difficulty timing pitches. He hasn’t been close to making solid contact. He just fanned again on an 86-mph curveball after seeing five pitches, including four off-speed pitches.
7:51 p.m. — Red Sox 1, Jays 0. Wily Mo Pena nearly hit Adam Lind’s hotel room with a solo shot. Prediction: Manny Ramirez will hit his 52nd career homer against the Jays tonight.
7:45 p.m. — Just remembered something. In 2004, Chacin forgot some personal items before a road trip to Altoona, Pa. Broadcaster Mike Murphy eventually delivered Chacin’s belongings, including an athletic supporter.
“Nobody can ever say again that I can’t carry Gustavo Chacin’s jock,” Murphy said on the air that night.
7:22 p.m. — Adam Lind unofficially just fanned twice against Dice-K. Home umpire Ed Montague missed the call on a 1-2 changeup, and then Lind whiffed at a heater for strike three.
Lind on preparing for Dice-K: “I’ll watch some tape today. I watched him throw against the Mariners. It looks like he has great stuff. You’ve got to be patient and wait for a fastball — hopefully over the plate.”
7:12 p.m. — Chacin just buried an inside curveball to strike out Coco Crisp. Impressive pitch. Chacin’s bread and butter has been his cut-fastball the past two years. The Red Sox could be in for a long night if the southpaw is able to locate his off-speed pitches like that.
7:05 p.m. — Gustavo Chacin is making his eighth career start against the Red Sox, and he’s never lost, going 5-0 with a 4.29 ERA … At the end of the 2004 season, I was in the Fisher Cats’ clubhouse when manager Mike Basso told Chacin he’d been promoted to the Blue Jays. It was a special moment as players drenched Chacin with beer and champagne. The Fisher Cats had just won the Eastern League title, and the journeyman minor leaguer would join Toronto at Yankee Stadium the following day … Oh, and Chacin beat the Yankees in his big-league debut.
6:55 p.m. — NESN had a mini-player profile on Toronto’s Aaron Hill, the first shortstop in New Hampshire Fisher Cats history and MVP of the 2004 Futures Game at Houston. Hill has a dozen hits in his past 17 games, smashing anything near the strike zone … Love how Hill always sprints on and off the field no matter the score or situation … You could sense immediately Hill was going to be a star. He always had the same postgame demeanor whether he went 0-for-4 or 4-for-4. That approach goes a long way during a 162-game schedule.
6:45 p.m. — I’m anxiously awaiting tonight’s Red Sox game and will be filing live game notes. Boston lost 12 of 19 games against the Blue Jays last year and somehow hasn’t beaten Gustavo Chacin the past two years.
GUSTAVO CHACIN owns Manny Ramirez. Keep that in mind while watching tonight’s Red Sox game at Toronto. Ramirez is 2-for-11 (.182) without an RBI against Chacin, who was pitching for the Fisher Cats in 2004 while Ramirez was making a run toward the World Series crown.
Go figure. Manny has always feasted on Toronto pitching. Remember that 500-foot homer against Chris Carpenter at the former SkyDome? Ramirez owns 51 career homers against the Blue Jays, which is a lot.
Other game notes for tonight with an assist from Red Sox media relations:
– Chacin, 26, has never lost against Boston. The Venezuelan is 5-0 with a 4.29 ERA against the Sox over the past two years.
– The only Red Sox to homer against Chacin is David Ortiz, a career 5-for-16 (two HR) against Chacin.
– Blue Jays outfielder Adam Lind played for the Fisher Cats last season and was named MVP of the Eastern League. The kid, 23, is now flat-out raking in majors. He owns a .382 average with two homers since his big-league debut last fall. I just spoke with Lind for my “On Baseball” column to appear in Wednesday’s New Hampshire Union Leader.
– Other ex-Fishers to watch for tonight include infielders Aaron Hill, Ryan Roberts and relievers Casey Janssen, Shaun Marcum and Jamie Vermilyea.
CHECKING on some ex-Fisher Cats this season …
Former outfielder Ron Davenport, who began last season 0-for-26 before getting sent to Single-A, signed a minor-league deal with Milwaukee and is playing for the Double-A Huntsville Stars. “RD” was batting .150 entering today.
Infielder Tim Olson joined the Rockies organization and began the season with Double-A Tulsa.
OF Miguel Negron opened the season with a five-game hitting streak for Binghamton. “Mickey” is scheduled to make a return trip to Manchester on the next Fisher Cats homestand.
SS Raul Tablado joined the Reds organization and is listed as inactive with Class A Sarasota.
OF Tyrell Godwin, member of the 2004 championship team, is playing with the Triple-A Louisville Bats (Reds).
LHP Zach Jackson. Triple-A Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee).
RHP Bubbie Buzachero. Double-A Akron Aeros.
2B Dominic Rich, who led the 2004 team with 30 doubles, has become a professional body builder. Seriously.
1B Vito Chiaravalloti. No idea. Big Vito was traded to Baltimore last season and played in the South Atlantic League, but he is not listed with any affiliated teams this season. No word on Justin Singleton or Maikel Jova, whom are most likely out of affiliated baseball.
LHP Gustavo Chacin, who led New Hampshire to its Eastern League title, is pitching Tuesday night against the Red Sox.
GOT A CHANCE to listen to the Fisher Cats broadcast today as Mike Murphy called the 6-4 victory from New Britain Stadium. At one point, Murphy was talking about Rock Cats mascot Rocky and said, “He makes me long for my own cat, Fungo.” Arizona Fall League MVP Chip Cannon struck out five times in the game, and Wayne Lydon sparked the Fishers (3-2) to victory with two hits, three RBI and some great defense in center field.
I’ll be speaking with the switch-hitting Lydon for my “On Baseball” package in the New Hampshire Sunday News. Lydon turns 26 next week and has been playing pro ball since drafted as a 17-year-old by the Mets. As a member of the Binghamton Mets, he played against the Fisher Cats in the 2004 playoffs and vividly remembers facing Gustavo Chacin.
Lydon was invited to big-league spring training with the Washington Nationals and eventually released. He feels fortunate to have signed a deal with the Blue Jays, and he’s making the most of his opportunity. Through Friday’s game, Lydon leads the Fisher Cats with seven hits, 13 total bases and 14 RBI. What would be his career choice if not for baseball? “Navy Seal,” he says.
FOUR GAMES into the Bill Masse era, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats have played an entertaining brand of “Billyball” we’d all heard about. The Fisher Cats (2-2) under the first-year manager battled back from a five-run deficit and three-run deficits in the first three games.
We ought to have a Bill Masse Quote of the Week for this blog. Here’s a start:
“If I could draw up the script, I’d want (Mike) MacDonald out there for a game like this. He probably grew up throwing snowballs for warmups,” said Masse, referencing the Maine native in the 39-degree season opener in Manchester.
Here’s Masse on the topic of serving as team psychologist from the manager’s office:
“That’s 60 percent of my job, getting guys to stay focused. That’ll always be the challenge of any manager in minor league baseball. People say, ‘How can you not be motivated? You’ve got a chance to play in the big leagues.’ Well, you never went through an 0-for-20 or got sent down from Triple-A or dealt with the kind of failure you deal with in minor league baseball.”
Tonight’s game at New Britain was postponed with no make-up date announced. New Britain Stadium is the site of New Hampshire’s inaugural game in 2004 in which Rob Cosby belted the franchise’s first-ever homer off the left-field foul pole.
