PORTLAND — Now that former Boston Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell is manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, he may take notice of Toronto’s Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire.
The Fisher Cats feature a right-handed Cuban pitcher named Rey Gonzalez. Maybe it’s time he moved out of Double-A.
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Gonzalez, 25, continued to dominate the Eastern League, shutting out Portland over seven innings Tuesday in the Fisher Cats’ 8-3 victory at Hadlock Field.
Gonzalez threw 91 pitches through seven innings and still came out for the eighth. Singles by Jeremy Hazelbaker and Alex Hassan and Chih-Hsien Chiang’s two-run triple chased him.
Chiang scored on Will Middlebrooks’ sacrifice fly, marking the first time this year Gonzalez has allowed three earned runs.
Gonzalez still leads the league with a 1.71 ERA while improving his record to 6-1.
“He’s pretty special when he gets out there,” Fisher Cats Manager Sal Fasano said. “He’s been very consistent and hopefully, he won’t be here much longer.”
With a fastball, hard curveball and change-up, Gonzalez faced 30 batters, throwing 21 first-pitch strikes. He struck out five and walked one.
“He worked ahead in the count and was very impressive,” Portland Manager Kevin Boles said.
While Gonzalez cruised, the Portland pitching could not hold up. New Hampshire built an 8-0 lead before the Sea Dogs were able to score.
Michael Lee (1-4) was on his way to a quality start until New Hampshire tagged him for two more runs in the sixth. He gave up five runs and a season-high nine hits.
“He looked good. Saw some quality pitches come out of his hand,” Boles said. “But he started to elevate pitches.”
Caleb Clay relieved and the Fisher Cats kept swinging, taking an 8-0 lead after seven innings.
Eammon Portice was a bright spot on the staff, allowing two hits and no runs over the final two innings.
Hazelbaker had two singles and two walks. Both Chiang and Jon Hee recorded two hits.
New Hampshire improved its league-leading record to 28-16, while the Sea Dogs dropped to 13-28.
Right-handed pitching prospect Alex Wilson (3.27 ERA) starts for Portland tonight and will try to end an unusual skid by the Sea Dogs. Since May 7, in games not started by Stephen Fife, Portland is 0-12.
NOTES: Sea Dogs pitcher Brock Huntzinger went on the disabled list Tuesday with a lacerated finger. He was scheduled to pitch Thursday. A new pitcher is expected to be added to the roster by then. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway (sore back) sat out a second straight game but expects to be back in the lineup tonight. Tuesday’s announced paid attendance was 3,971. The Red Sox media reported John Lackey plans to make a rehab start on May 31. The Sea Dogs have a doubleheader in New Britain that day. Outfielder Che-Hsuan Lin is batting .438 (7 for 16) in four games since his promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/ClearTheBases
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