PORTLAND — There was plenty of prospect news Tuesday concerning the Portland Sea Dogs.

Shortstop Jose Iglesias returned from a two-month absence.

Additional Photos

Second baseman Chase d'Arnaud of the Altoona Curve shows the ball after coming up with an errant throw Tuesday night to force Ray Chang of the Portland Sea Dogs in the fourth inning. Altoona won 4-2 at Hadlock Field. Photos by John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Center fielder Che-Hsuan Lin of the Portland Sea Dogs takes command Tuesday night and pulls in a fly ball in front of right fielder Chih-Hsien Chiang in the fourth inning of a 4-2 loss to the Altoona Curve.

Alex Wilson, after three rocky starts for the Sea Dogs, allowed five hits and a walk in six innings, and took the loss against Altoona.

Casey Kelly landed on the disabled list with a strained back muscle and won’t pitch again this season.

And former Portland outfielder Ryan Kalish drew the biggest cheers of the night when his grand slam for the Boston Red Sox was replayed on the Hadlock Field video board.

But the Sea Dogs weren’t as fortunate when they had scoring chances. Portland stranded 14 runners in a 4-2 loss to the Altoona Curve before 6,588 at Hadlock Field.

Ray Chang homered in the first inning and Iglesias added an RBI single in the second, but then the clutch hits disappeared.

“We had a chance,” Sea Dogs Manager Arnie Beyeler said. “But they got the key two-out hits and we didn’t.”

The Curve (70-51) rallied for three runs off Portland starter Alex Wilson (3-4), who pitched well after three rocky starts.

Wilson began with three no-hit innings and finished with a six-inning effort (five hits, one walk, three strikeouts).

The highlight of the night was Iglesias, who hadn’t played for the Sea Dogs since injuring his hand when he was hit by a pitch May 28. He went 1 for 5 with a line single to left, three fly balls and a groundout.

In the field, Iglesias made all the plays that came his way. He ran down a shallow fly ball on the left-field line, and made a perfectly timed leap and catch of a line drive that appeared headed for center field.

“It feels great to come back with my team,” Iglesias said.

After Iglesias’ single in the second, Chang walked to load the bases with two outs, but Luis Exposito flied out.

Portland stranded two runners in each of the first, third, fifth, sixth and ninth innings.

Meanwhile, Altoona began its rally in the fourth when Josh Harrison broke up the no-hitter with a bunt single. With two outs, an RBI double and RBI single tied the game.

Jim Negrych’s two-out RBI single in the fifth was the winner.

Altoona added a run against reliever Mitch Herold.

Portland (58-63) tried to rally in the ninth.

Exposito doubled with one out. Anthony Rizzo ripped a hard grounder up the middle that shortstop Jordy Mercer got to and threw out Rizzo.

Ryan Lavarnway walked to put runners on first and third, but Nate Spears grounded out.

NOTES: Kelly, 20, was shut down by the Red Sox because of the timing of his injury.

“It’s nothing overly serious,” said Mike Hazen, Boston’s director of player development. “Had it been a different time of year, we would have moved on this a little quicker. We’re not going to rush him back to get one more start in Portland.”

Hazen said Kelly likely will pitch in a fall league to get him 20-plus more innings of work.

He threw 95 innings for Portland, going 3-5 with a 5.31 ERA.

Two years ago this month, another pitching prospect for the Sea Dogs, Daniel Bard, was shut down with a similar injury.

Kelly’s spot in the rotation was taken by Blake Maxwell, who will get the start today. Altoona’s starter will be a Conway, N.H. native, Jeff Locke.

Today’s promotion features the dancer Christopher and his life-sized dancing puppets.

Staff writer Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or: kthomas@pressherald

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