The Portland Sea Dogs may have lost some offensive punch in recent months with the promotion of so many players.
But the biggest reason Portland is in the running for the Eastern League championship is easy to explain.
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WHO: Harrisburg Senators (TBA) at Portland Sea Dogs (Luis Diaz 3-3)
WHEN: 1 p.m. Monday
Pitching.
Brian Johnson’s most recent start resulted in five scoreless innings. His earned-run average since he was promoted to Double-A in early May is 1.75.
Justin Haley put up zeroes in his Saturday start. His ERA in six Double-A starts is 1.19.
Eduardo Rodriguez makes it a terrific trio for the Sea Dogs. He pitched six innings Sunday afternoon in a 6-2 win over the Harrisburg Senators before a sold-out Hadlock Field crowd of 7,368.
It was the annual Field of Dreams game for the Sea Dogs, complete with old-time uniforms and an entrance through a temporary cornfield in center field.
Rodriguez is 6-8 in Double-A this year, but since joining the Sea Dogs on Aug. 1 – after the Orioles traded him to the Red Sox in the Andrew Miller deal – he’s 3-1 with a 0.96 ERA.
Staying ahead of the hitters, Rodriguez relied mainly on his two-seam fastball and change-up to limit the Senators to one run on five hits and two walks. He struck out four. Rodriguez needed only 70 pitches (51 strikes) to get through six innings. Of the 25 batters he faced, he began 22 of them with a strike.
The Sea Dogs backed him with one of their best offensive outputs in recent weeks, led by second baseman Mike Miller. He knocked in four runs with a solo home run and a three-run double and finished 3 for 4.
Jonathan Roof added two hits, including an RBI double.
The Sea Dogs improved to 88-53 with one regular-season game to go. Harrisburg dropped to 52-89.
Portland begins the Eastern League playoffs Wednesday against Binghamton. Rodriguez figures to start Game 3 on Friday at Hadlock Field.
And while every player’s goal is to reach the major leagues, the playoffs, even in the minors, are a time to cherish.
“I’ll be excited,” Rodriguez said.”It’s the first time I’ve been to the playoffs.”
Noe Ramirez entered the game with bases loaded and one out in the ninth and induced a 6-4-3 double play for his 18th save.
The Sea Dogs play their final regular-season game at 1 p.m. Monday against Harrisburg.
NOTES: Luis Diaz is expected to be activated Monday from the disabled list and start for the Sea Dogs. Diaz (3-3, 3.86) has been out because of back spasms. He will move into the roster vacancy created by Michael Almanzar’s trade to the Orioles late Saturday night. Almanzar was removed from Saturday’s game in the fifth inning and sent to the Orioles, along with major league utility player Kelly Johnson. Almanzar, who will be a minor league free agent after the season, was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk … The Akron Rubber Ducks clinched the final Eastern League playoff spot late Saturday night. Akron, runner-up in the Western Division, will play Western champion Richmond in the first round of the playoffs. The Richmond-Akron winner will face the Binghamton-Portland winner in the league championship series.
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