PORTLAND – Although Portland Sea Dogs center fielder Che-Hsuan Lin was invited to major league spring training camp, countryman Chih-Hsien Chiang often goes unnoticed.

But Chiang had the attention of Sea Dogs Manager Kevin Boles last month.

“He had a terrific spring,” Boles said after Portland’s season opener against Reading on Thursday night in which Chiang went 3 for 3 with two doubles. “And he swung the bat very well tonight.”

With other prospects like Oscar Tejeda and Will Middlebrooks in the lineup, Boles still batted Chiang ahead of them in the fifth spot.

RELIEVER SETH GARRISON appeared to be in trouble in the seventh with two base runners. Even when one of the runners was thrown out, Garrison still had a runner on third with one out.

He knew what pitch he wanted to throw.

“I felt comfortable with the breaking ball, but I was throwing my fastball well and went with that,” Garrison said.

Garrison fired fastballs down in the zone and struck out the next two batters to end the Phillies’ last threat.

TOMMY HOTTOVY was placed on the inactive list after the death of his grandfather, Charles Perz.

Hottovy took part in the opening ceremonies Thursday. He will fly home to Kansas City today and return Sunday. Before Thursday’s game, a moment of silence was observed in his grandfather’s memory.

JUAN CARLOS LINARES tripled in two runs to lead Triple-A Pawtucket to a 2-1 win over Rochester.

Michael Bowden got the save and Jose Iglesias had two hits.

BROCK HUNTZINGER gets the start for today’s 6 p.m. game, making his Double-A debut. Huntzinger, 22, was Boston’s third-round draft pick out of high school in 2007. He had a 4.14 ERA for Class A Salem last year.

Reading will start right-hander Austin Hyatt, the most valuable pitcher in the Florida State League last year. Hyatt, 24, from the University of Alabama, is ranked No. 24 on the Phillies’ prospects list by Baseball America.

WEDDING VOWS were exchanged at home plate before the game.

Scott Merrow and Dayna Rousseau were married in a brief ceremony officiated by Lori Voornas of WJBQ-FM. Voornas dressed as an umpire, complete with mask.

Other pregame events included the Edward Little band performing the national anthem and retired Portland city manager Joe Gray throwing out the first pitch.

NOTES: Portland catcher Ryan Lavarnway was tested in the first inning and threw out Reading’s Harold Garcia trying to steal second base.

The Sea Dogs stole three bases in three attempts. Will Middlebrooks, Ryan Dent and Chih-Hsien Chiang all stole second base.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com