2006 EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR, CHAD SPANN, RETURNS TO PORTLAND

Infielder Chad Spann has been transferred from Triple-A Pawtucket to the Portland Sea Dogs. Spann is in the lineup tonight as the DH hitting fifth. Right-handed pitcher Jose Vaquedano has also been added to the Sea Dogs roster. Vaquedano joins the Sea Dogs from Single-A Lancaster.

The 23 year-old Spann, has appeared in 68 games with the Pawsox this season hitting .222 with four home runs and 17 RBI’s. Last season with the Sea Dogs, Spann was an Eastern League All-Star with the leagues fifth best average (.294), 28 doubles, ten home runs, and 50 RBI’s in 99 games. Spann suffered an ankle injury on August 2nd and missed the remainder of the season including the playoffs. He was named the Eastern League Player of the Week for the week of May 29th through June 4th after leading the league with a .471 average.

Spann made his mark in Sea Dogs history in the 2005 Eastern League playoffs when he hit a walk-off grand slam in Game One of the Northern Division Championship against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees). It was the first grand slam and the first walk-off hit in Sea Dogs post-season history. The Americus, Georgia native was drafted by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the June 2002 draft.

Vaquedano began the 2007 season with the Sea Dogs appearing in three games allowing no runs in 5.2 innings pitched. He was transferred to Single-A Lancaster on May 21st and appeared in 14 games for the JetHawks posting a 2-0 record with a 5.40 ERA. His nine wins with the Sea Dogs in 2006 was tied for the team high. He posted a 9-8 record with a 6.47 ERA with Portland in 2006. The 26 year-old was drafted by the Red Sox in 45th round of the June 2002 draft.

The Sea Dogs begin a homestand tonight at Hadlock Field at 7:00 PM against the New Britain Rock Cats (Twins). Tickets for most Sea Dogs home games are available and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or ordering online at www.seadogs.com

Thursday's Sea Dogs Lineup:
Bubba Bell, CF
Bryan Pritz, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jay Johnson, LF
Chad Spann, DH
Jeff Natale, 1B
Andrew Pinckney, 3B
John Otness, C
Iggy Suarez, 2B

Chris Smith, RHP

News & Notes:
Bubba Bell makes his Hadlock Field debut tonight. Bell was promoted to the Sea Dogs on July 5th. The 24 year-old Bell led the California League in virtually every offensive category when he was called-up including average (.370), home runs (22), and RBI’s (83). Additionally he leads the league in runs scored (95), hits (119), extra base hits (50), and slugging percentage (.455). He ranks second in the league in doubles (27) and on base percentage (.665). The JetHawks outfielder was selected as the MVP of the California League/Carolina League All-Star Game going 3-5 with two RBI’s.

A FOGGY SITUATION: Last night’s Eastern League All-Star Game was cancelled in the third inning due to fog at Dodd Stadium…The score was tied at two and Jeff Corsaletti was the lone Sea Dog that participated in the game, going 0-for-1 (SO)…Brandon Moss homered in the Triple-A All-Star Game, leading the International League to a 7-5 victory over the PCL stars.

Full wrap-up of the Eastern League All-Star Game including photos and video.

RED SOX ANNOUNCE MINOR LEAGUE AWARDS FOR JUNE
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Jon Still (Greenville)
PITCHER OF THE MONTH – Justin Masterson (Lancaster)
BASE-RUNNER OF THE MONTH – Josh Reddick (Greenville)
BASE-STEALER OF THE MONTH – Ryan Kalish (Lowell)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE MONTH – Ryan Khoury (Lancaster)
TOP QPA % (QUALITY PLATE APPEARANCE) – Jon Still (Greenville)
DSL PLAYERS OF THE MONTH:
PITCHER- Stolmy Pimentel
POSITION- Roberto Feliz

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