PORTLAND – If all goes according to the Boston Red Sox development plan, pitcher Anthony Ranaudo and shortstop Xavier Bogaerts will continue to be teammates beyond their time at Hadlock Field.

A future at Fenway?

Ranaudo pitched a one-hitter over seven innings and Bogaerts clubbed two home runs and recorded five RBI as the Portland Sea Dogs bounced New Hampshire 9-1 on Wednesday night at Hadlock.

Ranaudo, once the top Boston pitching prospect, may be regaining that title as he improved to 6-1 with a 1.48 ERA.

With former Red Sox great Pedro Martinez watching from the box seats, Ranaudo struck out eight and walked none. He allowed only one baserunner, a leadoff single by Ryan Schimpf to center field in the second inning. He retired his final 18 batters.

“Very impressive to see,” said Martinez, now a special assistant to Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington. “His fastball has good movement. Lots of swings and misses.”

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Ranaudo complimented his 93-95 mph fastball with a crisp curve and solid change-up.

“Had command of all my pitches and was able to get ahead of guys,” Ranaudo said.

From his shortstop spot, Bogaerts enjoyed Ranaudo’s gem.

“He was awesome, throwing a lot of strikes,” Bogaerts said. “He’s just been dominating.”

And Ranaudo enjoyed the run support, especially Bogaerts’ home runs in each of the first two innings. He has four homers.

Bogaerts finished the night 3 for 4, including a walk and double to right-center. He is batting .287 with a .372 on-base percentage and .459 slugging average (.831 OPS). He also was stellar in the field, including a diving stop on a grounder to start a double play.

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“He’s a great player,” Ranaudo said.

Bogaert’s two-run homer in the first came on a slider, the three-run homer in the second inning on a change-up.

Michael Almanzar added three singles and a sacrifice fly. Juan Carlos Linares went 3 for 5.

Portland scored eight runs against Fisher Cats starter Marcus Stroman (1-1), chasing him before he recorded an out in the second inning.

The seven innings was a career high for Ranaudo, who threw only 79 pitches (53 strikes). Chris Balcom-Miller relieved and allowed one run on three hits.

NOTES: Balcom-Miller made his first appearance for the Sea Dogs after being slowed in spring training with a strained back. … Also joining the Dogs was utility player Ryan Dent from Pawtucket. … Outfielder Matty Johnson and infielder Nick Natoli were returned to Salem. … Two of New Hampshire’s relievers were former Dogs Tommy Hottovy and Chorye Spoone. … The announced paid attendance was 3,075. … The Dogs are sponsoring a food drive for the Good Shepherd Food Bank at Thursday night’s game. Fans who bring a nonperishable food item will receive a ticket voucher to a future game.

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Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: @ClearTheBases

 


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