The Portland Sea Dogs front office staff defeated the Boston Red Sox front office staff 7-6 in softball action at Hadlock Field on Monday night.

Mike DeMartini (merchandise intern) singled with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring Mike Snow (radio intern) to break a 6-6 tie.

Although DeMart struggled defensively comitting two errors allowing the Red Sox to score four runs in the fourth inning, he certainly made up for it at the plate with a 2-2 performance with a run scored, two RBI's and the game winning hit.

The Sea Dogs wasted no time scoring three runs on four hits and an error in the first inning. Tom Clifford (scoreboard operator) got the Sea Dogs on the board first with a double scoring Mike Scorza (director of food service). Maggie McCoy (media relations intern) and Chris Cameron (assistant GM) followed with RBI singles.

The Sea Dogs struck again in the third inning plating three more runs and taking a 6-0 lead. Sean Mahoney (ticket office intern)led the inning off with a triple. Mike DeMartini and Todd Jamison (director of video ops) would follow with singles, while Corey Thompson reached on an error to cap the inning.

The Sea Dogs defense would fall apart in the fourth as the Red Sox plated four runs on two hits and three errors.

Diamond Jim Heffley tossed a complete game to earn the win.

Allied Home Mortgage Big Dog of the Game: Jim Heffley (for his outstanding pitching peformance), Tom Clifford (a perfect 3-3 with 2 doubles), Mike Scorza (solid defense at shortstop). and Mike DeMartini (for his clutch hitting)

Notes: Although there were not many fans watching the game, Sea Dogs manager Arnie Beyeler was in attendance taking notes. I think he may be bringing a few of us on the road trip with him. He was impressed by the solid pitching of Jim Heffley, 9 innings and 4 strikeouts along with the defensive and offensive display of Maggie McCoy...Chris Cameron picks up his first managerial win.

Okay, before you get too excited, NO the Red Sox are not coming to Portland to take on the Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field.

Today is a rare off day for both the Sea Dogs and Red Sox but Hadlock Field will be hosting a very important game. The front office staffs of each club will get to show off their playing abilities as the two teams will square off in their annual softball game tonight at 6:00 PM at Hadlock Field. Although, this game is sure to be very entertaining, it is not open to the public.

Here is the starting lineup for the hometown Portland Sea Dogs:
Lindsay Enger (Group Sales Intern), RF - She is a track star, she knows how to get around the bases.
Geoff Iacuessa (Assistant GM), 1B- More hair than Youkilis but just as solid.
Mike Scorza (Director of Food Service), SS- Team MVP the past four years.
Tom Clifford (Scoreboard Operator), LCF- He'll be taking aim at the scoreboard.
Maggie McCoy (Media Relations Intern), 2B - She went to school on a softball scholarship.
Chris Cameron (Assistant GM), LF - Can cover lots of ground, has a better arm than Johnny Damon.
Chris Duncombe (special assignment intern), 3B- He's not just good at poker.
Jim Heffley (Vice President), P - Diamond Jim has been the ace of the staff for several years, must be the stove top Pirates hat.
Dave Strong (Director of Ticketing), C - The Navy trained him well, cool under pressure.
Brian Murphy (promotions intern), RCF - He's our little angel in the outfield.

The Reserves:
Mike Snow (radio intern), 2B - Hopefully he's the only snow on the field, no more shoveling.
Sean Mahoney (ticket intern), 1B - He's a solid target for our infielders with his pink glove.
Liz Riley (Assistant Ticketing Director), 3B- Softball player for the Mules
Mike Demartini (Merchandise Intern), LF - Representing the fighting irish
Todd Jamison (Director of Video Ops), C - He likes a clean a plate.
Corey Thompson (Director Group Sales), LCF- He's the #1 switch hitter.
Garrett Mason (Group Sales Intern), RF- Watch out for the brown patches
Matt McPherson (Tiket Intern), RCF - His life sized poster, might be more reliable.

The Sea Dogs will be wearing classic teal Sea Dogs BP uniforms.

Kate Demspey, a former Sea Dogs intern now working in the community relations department at the Red Sox, will be making the trip to Portland to play for her new team. If she's lucky she might just find a ring. We are a little concerned that one of Charlie's Angels might just cause a bench clearing incident.

Should be a good time, I'll be sure to post the result along with highlights here tomorrow.

Please be aware that the Portland Sea Dogs and Connecticut Defenders will play a Day/Night Doubleheader on Saturday, July 28th.

Game one is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM, gates will open at 11:30 AM.
1,300 General Admission tickets are available.

Game two is slated for 6:00 PM, gates will open at 5:00 PM.
800 General Admission tickets are available.

Per Eastern League Rules, each game will be seven innings in length.

Separate admissions will be charged.

This rare Day/Night Doubleheader is the result of a four game series between the two clubs that was snowed out in April to start the season.

The Portland Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field on Monday to begin an eight game/ seven day homestand. The homestand kicks off tonight at 7:00 PM with a crucial three game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays). The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats are battling one another for a playoff spot. The top two teams in each division qualify for post season play. The Sea Dogs currenly sit in second place with the Fisher Cats just one game back. Portland is going in the right direction having won seven of their 10, while the Fisher Cats have dropped six of their last ten. This is the final time this season that the Fisher Cats visit Hadlock. Portland will make one more trip to New Hampshire in August for a four game set.

Monday's Sea Dogs Lineup:
Bubba Bell, CF
Jeff Corsaletti, LF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jeff Natale, 2B
Chad Spann, 1B
Cory Keylor, RF
Dusty Brown, C
Andrew Pinckney, 3B
Bryan Pritz, DH
Chris Smith, P

Today's Sea Dogs News:
Sea Dogs' right handed pitcher Charlie Zink was placed on the disabled list. Zink leads the team with 9 wins and is fifth in the Eastern League with a 2.94 ERA. Replacing Zink on the roster is right handed pitcher Chad Povich. Povich was drafted in June by the Red Sox in the 42nd round. He has appeared in three games for the GCL Red Sox where he notched one save and a 0.00 ERA. Povich also made two appearances with the Lowell Spinners where he was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

Former Sea Dogs pitcher Jon Lester returns to the big leagues tonight after recovering from cancer. He'll get the start tonight for the Red Sox against the Cleveland Indians.

News from around Minor League Baseball
The San Francisco Giants have announced that Connecticut Defenders manager, Dave Machemer has been reassigned within the organization and will assume
Major League scouting duties. Former Defenders manager Shane Turner will return to that role, effective this afternoon, Sunday July 22 when the Defenders host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Tulsa Drillers' hitting coach Mike Collbaugh was killed Sunday night when he was struck by a line drive while coaching first base. He was 35. Coolbaugh took over as Drillers' hitting coach on July 3. He spent most of his 17-year playing career in the Minor Leagues, appearing in 39 games with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2001 and five games for the St. Louis Cardinals the following year. Coolbaugh is the younger brother of former Major Leaguer Scott Coolbaugh, who serves as hitting coach for the Frisco RoughRiders.

What's Going on at Hadlock this homestand?
Monday, July 23 @ 7:00 PM vs. New Hampshire
NASCAR Night- Come see cars and drivers from Beech Ridge Motor Speedway

Tuesday, July 24 @ 7:00 PM vs. New Hampshire
Devern Hansack Bobblehead Doll Giveaway-the first 1,000 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a Devern Hansack bobblehead doll.

Sea Dogs Monthly Luncheon at 12:00 Noon
Date: Tuesday, July 24th
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Where: Hadlock Field Picnic Area
Guest Speaker: Ken Joyce
Ken Joyce is a Portland, Maine native who is currently the hitting coach for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Joyce served as the Sea Dogs' hitting coach in 1996.
Tickets: $8.00, payable at the door.

Wednesday, July 25th @ 12:00 Noon vs. New Hampshire
Special 12:00 Noon start time. Logo Ball Giveaway. This Game is SOLD OUT.

Thursday, July 26th @ 7:00 PM vs. Connecticut
ZOOperstars perform at Hadlock

Friday, July 27th @ 7:00 PM vs. Connecticut
Storyland Family Fun Friday

Saturday, July 28th @ 1:00 PM & 6:00 PM vs. Connecticut
DAY/NIGHT DOUBLEHEADER
The Portland Sea Dogs will play a unique Day/Night Doubleheader on Saturday, July 28th. Game One is at 1:00 PM, with Game Two slated for 6:00 PM. Separate Admission is required. Per Eastern League Regulations, each game will be seven innings in duration.

Sunday, July 28th @ 1:00 PM vs. Connecticut
Kids Run the Bases Post Game, weather and field conditions permitting.
Portland band WEATHERD's pre-game concert from 11:45 AM to 12:20 PM

The Portland Pirates and the Portland Sea Dogs will host the Ameriprise Financial Celebrity Softball Challenge at Hadlock Field tonight.

The event will include a celebrity softball game and home run derby at Hadlock Field, the home of the Portland Sea Dogs. The Softball Challenge is sponsored by Ameriprise Financial in partnership with the Pirates and Sea Dogs to support the efforts of the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Tickets for the festivities will cost $2 each, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Maine Children's Cancer Program.

The game day festivities at Hadlock Field will begin at 5:00 p.m. this evening, starting with the Tony Boffa Band and a baseball clinic for kids. The softball portion of the evening will kick off at 7:00 p.m. with the Homerun Derby, followed by the Celebrity Softball Game at 8:00 p.m. Fans can purchase raffle tickets for $1 each to play in the Celebrity Softball Game, Bat boy and bat girl.

The list of local celebrities who will step up to the plate for charity include Portland Pirates players Mike Hoffman and Eric Weinrich, Former Bruins Rick Middleton and Bob Sweeney, retired Major League Baseball player Peter Ladd, former NFL player Ed McAleney and Olympian snowboarder Peter Thorndike.

In addition to the celebrities, Planet Cheer, all-star cheerleaders and 9-time National Champions, will be at the event to provide entertainment along with the Sea Dogs Mascot, Slugger and Pirates mascots Crackers and Salty Pete.

The Maine Children's Cancer Program, located at the Maine Center for Cancer Care, offers outpatient consultation and treatment for children diagnosed with cancer. A staff of pediatric oncologists, pediatric nurses and specialists and social workers comprise the staff of the Maine Children's Cancer Program. The program participates in the national Pediatric Oncology Group (POG) Clinical Trials, and employs an on-site research team that manages the program's participation in the trials. Recently, the Maine Children's Cancer program has developed a pediatric peripheral stem cell transplant program in conjunction with The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital to service children in Maine who historically have had to travel to Boston to receive this type of treatment. For more information, visit the program's website at www.mmc.org.

The full event schedule is listed below:

4:00-5:00 pm Volunteers Arrive

5:00-6:45 pm Tony Boffa Band and Baseball Clinic for Kids

6:45-7:00 pm Performance by Planet Cheer

7:00-8:00 pm Homerun Derby

8:00-9:00 pm Celebrity Softball Game

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JUSTIN MASTERSON NAMED EASTERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK
In just his first week in the Eastern League, Portland Sea Dogs’ right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson masters the Eastern League and captures Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of July 9th through July 15th. Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) made the selection.

The 22 year-old, Masterson was promoted to the Sea Dogs from Single-A Lancaster on July 7th. He made his Double-A debut on July 9th at New Hampshire tossing 6.2 innings of no-hit ball with a season high nine strikeouts. In his second Double-A start on July 14th at Hadlock Field, Masterson tossed six scoreless innings allowing three hits and striking out seven. For the week, Masterson was 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out 16. Masterson has now won eight straight decisions between Single-A Lancaster and Double-A Portland. He leads all Red Sox farmhands with ten combined wins.

In 17 starts for the JetHawks this season, Masterson posted an 8-5 record with a 4.33 ERA. He was the winning pitcher on July 4th when the JetHawks captured the first half Southern Division title in the California League. He was 5-1 with a 2.89 ERA in June and was honored as the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month. Masterson was selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the June 2006 draft. He is the 13th ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization according to Baseball America.

This is the third time in the last four weeks that a Sea Dogs pitcher has captured Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors. Charlie Zink won the award for the week of June 18th through June 24th, while Clay Buchholz took home the honors for the week of June 25th through July 1st.
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SEA DOGS GET A LOOK AT FENWAY PARK
On Monday, three Sea Dogs players; Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, and Justin Masterson made the trip to Fenway Park. The three players were joined by manager Arnie Beyeler along with three players from the Lowell Spinners and Spinners Manager Gary DiSarcina. The group was at Fenway to promote the August 11th Futures at Fenway Game in which the Lowell Spinners will take on the Hudson Valley Renegades in New York Penn League Action, that game will be followed by the Sea Dogs taking on the Harrisburg Senators in Eastern League action.

Tickets are still available for this unique doubleheader. Tickets range between $5.00 and $30.00.

Order Tickets

Click here for more information

Click here to read and see video of the Sea Dogs' visit to Fenway

The Sea Dogs continue their series with the New Britain Rock Cats tonight at 7:00 PM at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs have won three straight.

Friday's Sea Dogs Lineup
Bubba Bell, CF
Jeff Corsaletti, LF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Jay Johnson, DH
Chad Spann, 1B
Andrew Pinckney, 3B
Jeff Natale, 2B
Cory Keylor, RF
John Otness, C
Charlie Zink, RHP

Friday's Tranactions:
Catcher Dusty Brown placed on the disabled list (left hamstring), retroactive to July 9th.
Catcher Brett Lewis received from Short Season Single-A Lowell.

Lewis will wear #6.

Notes on Lewis:
• Promoted to Portland on July 13 from Single-A Lowell (Short Season)…Hit .217 (5-for-23) in seven games with the Spinners…First professional hit was a double on July 5 at Oneonta…Made four starts at catcher and three at DH.

• Played the past two years with the University of Texas (2006-07), hit .170, 0 HR, 4 RBI in 21 games this season with the Longhorns…Last season, he started 25 of 38 games at Texas, hitting .247, 0 HR, 11 RBI.

• Before transferring to Texas, he played two years as a catcher/infielder for the University of Texas/Arlington, aiding the Mavericks to 58 wins over those two seasons.

• Signed by the Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in June, 2007.

News & Notes:
Saturday's game is Sold Out

Hunter Jones earned his 1st Double-A victory yesterday by firing a scoreless 8th inning…The 23 year old collected four wins with Lancaster before being promoted to Portland...In 2006 Jones earned four wins with Single-A Greenville –he has as a strikeout in all six appearances with the Sea Dogs.

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

The top players in the Eastern League will descend on Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Connecticut tonight at 7:30 PM for the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game. The All-Star Game will feature the Northern Division All-Stars against the Southern Division All-Stars. Each team will consist of 24 players. The All-Star teams were selected through fan balloting along with selections from media personnel, club field personnel, and Eastern League administrators. Each Eastern League team has at least three players, including at least one pitcher and one position player.

The Sea Dogs will have three representatives participating in the mid-summer classic tonight: Pitcher Charlie Zink, shortstop Jed Lowrie, and outfielder Jeff Corsaletti. Sea Dogs pitcher Clay Buchholz was also selected to the Eastern League All-Star Game. He will not participate due to his participation in the MLB Futures Game and his promotion to Triple-A.

Click Here to View the Eastern League All-Star Game Rosters

Multimedia Coverage of Tonight's Eastern League All-Star Game:

Listen to GameDay Audio via Minor League Baseball

Watch the game via milb.tv

More on Portland's All-Stars:

Charlie Zink Pitcher
8-3 2.77 ERA 60 Strikeouts
-Selected Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the Week of June 18-June 24.
-His 2.77 ERA ranks fourth in the Eastern League.
-His eight wins lead the team and rank second amongst Red Sox farmhands.
-Has spent parts of the last five seasons with the Portland Sea Dogs.
-This is his first Eastern League All-Star Game selection.
-His 21 career wins with the Sea Dogs ranks third in franchise history.
-Signed as a minor league free agent by the Red Sox on April 1, 2002.
-A knuckleball pitcher who was coached by Luis Tiant while at Savannah College of Art and Design.

Jed Lowrie Shortstop
.305 AVG 7 HR 44 RBI
-Has a team high .307 average.
-Ranks second in the league in triples (7), third in doubles (25), and fourth in slg % (.510)
-Reached base safely in 38 consecutive games from April 29 –June 9, third longest streak in franchise history behind Kevin Youkilis (62) and Kevin Millar (46).
-Named Red Sox Offensive Player of the Month for May
-Has reached base safely in 72 of 79 games this season.
-Red Sox 4th pick (sandwich pick between the first and second rounds, 45th overall) in the June 2005 draft.

Jeff Corsaletti Outfield
.279 AVG 3 HR 34 RBI
-Has a team high 57 runs scored.
-Has four 4-hit games this season.
-Reached base safely in 61 of 74 games this season.
-Led the Carolina League with 97 walks in 2006.
-Red Sox 9th pick (sixth round, 198th overall) in the June 2005 draft.

Full Coverage of the Eastern League All-Star Game

Connecticut Defenders All-Star Website

Portland Sea Dogs’ right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. Additionally right-handed pitcher Chris Smith rejoins the Sea Dogs from Triple-A Pawtucket. The Red Sox also released Sea Dogs’ first baseman Eric Crozier.

Buchholz, the Red Sox top pitching prospect, appeared in 16 games for the Sea Dogs posting a 7-2 record with an Eastern League leading 1.77 ERA. His 116 strikeouts is the second most in all of Minor League Baseball.

The 22 year-old participated in the 2007 MLB Futures All-Star Game in San Francisco on Sunday, July 8th. Buchholz was also selected to the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game, although he will not participate due to his participation in the Future’s Game. He was selected as the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 25th through July 1st. The Red Sox also honored him as the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for the month of May.

The Lumberton, Texas native, was selected by the Red Sox as the 42nd overall pick in the June 2005 draft. In 2006 he was named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year after compiling an 11-4 record with a 2.42 ERA and leading all Red Sox farmhands with 140 strikeouts.

Smith returns to Portland after making one relief appearance for the Pawsox on July 2nd. Smith tossed two innings, allowing no runs on four hits. The 26 year-old has made 19 appearances for the Sea Dogs this season with a 3-4 record, one save and a 2.53 ERA. Smith was a fourth round pick of the Red Sox in the June 2002 draft.

The 28 year-old Crozier was hitting .236 in 63 games with the Sea Dogs. He had a team high nine home runs and was second on the team with 44 RBI’s. Crozier appeared in 14 Major League games with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004. He was signed as a minor league free agent by the Red Sox in December 2006.

Three Sea Dogs players; pitcher Charlie Zink, shortstop Jed Lowrie, and outfielder Jeff Corsaletti will participate in the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 11th at 7:05 PM in Norwich, Connecticut.

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field on Thursday, July 12th at 7:00 PM to take on 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

Jeff Bailey got the phone call today that he has been waiting for all his life. After 11 years of life in Minor League Basbeall inlcuding three with the Portland Sea Dogs, Bailey will join the Boston Red Sox today. Bailey is the 142nd Sea Dog to reach the Major Leagues and the second within the last seven days.

Bailey's professional career got off to a good start when he was selected in the second round of the June 1997 draft by the Florida Marlins. By 2001 he had made his way up to Double-A Portland, a team that featured Josh Beckett. In 129 games with the Sea Dogs in 2001, Bailey hit .241 with 13 home runs. Bailey was traded to the Montreal Expos organization for the 2002 season, where he played at Double-A Harrisburg and ranked second in the Eastern League with a .416 on base percentage.

After two seasons in the Expos organization, Bailey was released. On November 7, 2003, Bailey was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a minor league free agent and assisgned to Double-A Portland. Bailey is one of five players to play with the Sea Dogs as both a Marlins and Red Sox affiliate.

In 2004 with the Sea Dogs, Bailey was an Eastern League All-Star, as he hit .294 in 91 games with 13 home runs and 58 RBI's. Bailey would split time between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2005. Bailey had an outstanding season in 2006 with the Pawsox hitting .275 in 134 games. He led all Red Sox minor leaguers with 22 home runs and was third among Red Sox farmhands with 82 RBI's.

Bailey is among the Sea Dogs career leaders in a number of offensive categories, he ranks third in home runs (33) and fifth in RBI's (150). He holds the Sea Dogs franchise record for RBI's in a game with seven, accomplished on June 16, 2006 against Harrisburg.

Bailey is a solid hitter who can play first base, outfield, and catch. It is great to see him finally get a chance to play at the highest level.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE TRIPLE CROWN THREAT, BUBBA BELL, JOINS SEA DOGS

The Boston Red Sox have promoted outfielder Bubba Bell from Single-A Lancaster to Double-A Portland. Sea Dogs’ left-handed pitcher Tommy Hottovy was placed on the disabled list with a left forearm strain.

The 24 year-old Bell leads the California League in virtually every offensive category 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. On Wednesday night, Bell was 3-6 as the JetHawks captured the first half Southern Division California League title, clinching a playoff spot at the end of the season. Bell has twice been named the California League Player of the Week, capturing the honors for the week of April 5th-April 15th and May 21st-May 27th. Bell was also honored as the Red Sox Offensive Player of the Month for the month of April. The Paris, Texas resident was selected by the Red Sox in the 39th round of the June 2005 draft.

The Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs have announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional four years. The extension keeps the Red Sox Double-A affiliation in Portland through the 2012 season. Red Sox Vice President/Player Personnel Ben Cherington and Sea Dogs’ President and General Manager Charlie Eshbach made the announcement Monday afternoon at Hadlock Field.

Click Here for Video of Today's Press Conference

“We are thrilled to extend our PDC with the Portland Sea Dogs through the 2012 season," Cherington said.

"The most important ingredient in an affiliate are the people involved, and we are very fortunate to work with some of the best people in Minor League Baseball here in Portland. Dan Burke, Charlie Eshbach, and the entire Sea Dogs’ staff have consistently gone the extra mile to provide support to our players and staff over the last 4 ½ years. This support translates to performance on the field over the course of a long minor league season.”

"The planned clubhouse improvements will make Portland an upper echelon Double-A facility, benefiting our players and staff for years to come."

The Sea Dogs began their relationship with the Boston Red Sox on September 18, 2002 after nine years with the Florida Marlins. The Sea Dogs and Red Sox originally entered into a two-year Player Development Contract that ran through the 2004 season. On May 14, 2004 the Sea Dogs and Red Sox announced a four year extension keeping the Red Sox in Portland through the 2008 season. Today’s extension will keep the Red Sox in Portland for an additional four years. Player Development Contracts can extended in either two or four year increments. A four-year extension is the longest extension permissible.

"We are thrilled with the extension of the PDC with the Boston Red Sox,” said Eshbach. “When we joined with the Red Sox in September 2002, it was with the intention of establishing a long-term relationship. The extension of the PDC for an additional four years helps to further strengthen that bond.”

“The caliber of the people we work with is for us the most important part of the PDC. Working with the Red Sox ownership, Ben Cherington, Mike Hazen, the coaching staffs and the entire Red Sox organization has been a wonderful experience. We look forward to continuing to work with them as a member of Red Sox Nation."

Upon changing affiliations in 2003, the Sea Dogs erected a likeness of Fenway Park’s famed Green Monster in left field. The skyboxes at Hadlock Field were also renamed in honor of former Red Sox legendary hitters. Other improvements to Hadlock Field that have taken place since the Red Sox arrived in 2003 are the installation of a new playing surface for the 2006 season and the U.S. Cellular Pavilion seats in right field modeled after the Monster Seats at Fenway Park. The addition of that seating area made Hadlock Field the fourth largest ballpark in the Eastern League. In each season the Sea Dogs have been affiliated with the Red Sox a new attendance record has been set. The latest in 2006, when the Sea Dogs averaged a franchise record 6,358 fans per game.

The most significant and rewarding moment of the affiliation came on September 17, 2006, when the Portland Sea Dogs captured their first Eastern League Championship in the franchise’s 13 year history. The Sea Dogs have made two straight playoff appearances with the Red Sox affiliation.

Sea Dogs alumni currently with the Red Sox include Josh Beckett, Manny Delcarmen, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kason Gabbard, Jonathan Papelbon, Dustin Pedroia, and Kevin Youkilis. Overall 29 former Sea Dogs have gone on to play for the Boston Red Sox.

The Sea Dogs have been nationally recognized by winning the 1999 Bob Freitas Award and in 2000 with the John H. Johnson Award. The Freitas award honors the top Double-A Franchise each year based upon success at the gate, on the field, and the high caliber of front office personnel. The John H. Johnson award is Minor League Baseball’s top honor; it is awarded to the complete franchise in all of Minor League Baseball based upon stability, contributions to the league, contributions to baseball in the community, and promotion of the baseball industry. In addition, Eshbach has twice been named Eastern League Executive of the Year, winning the award in 1994 and 2002.

FOUR SEA DOGS SELECTED TO THE 2007 EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME
Clay Buchholz, Jeff Corsaletti, Jed Lowrie, & Charlie Zink

The Eastern League in conjunction with the Connecticut Defenders have announced the rosters for the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game. Four Portland Sea Dogs have been selected to participate in the mid-summer classic; pitchers Clay Buchholz and Charlie Zink, shortstop Jed Lowrie, and outfielder Jeff Corsaletti. The All-Star Game will be played on Wednesday, July 11th at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Connecticut.

The All-Star Game will feature the Northern Division All-Stars against the Southern Division All-Stars. Each team will consist of 24 players. The All-Star teams were selected through fan balloting along with selections from media personnel, club field personnel, and Eastern League administrators. Each Eastern League team has at least three players, including at least one pitcher and one position player.

Red Sox top pitching prospect Clay Buchholz leads the league in ERA (1.69) and strikeouts (115). His 115 strikeouts is the most in all of Minor League Baseball. The Lumberton, Texas native has posted a 6-2 record in 15 starts with the Sea Dogs. He was honored as the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May. Buchholz will also participate in the MLB Futures All-Star Game in San Francisco on July 8th. The 22 year-old was selected by the Red Sox as the 42nd overall pick in the June 2005 draft. In 2006 he was named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year after compiling an 11-4 record with a 2.42 ERA and leading all Red Sox farmhands with 140 strikeouts.

Charlie Zink leads the Sea Dogs with eight wins, which ranks second in the Eastern League. In 11 starts he has posted an 8-2 record with a 2.59 ERA, which ranks third in the league. Zink has spent parts of five seasons with the Sea Dogs, this is his first All-Star Game selection. Zink was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 18th through June 24th. On June 19th in Connecticut, Zink tossed the first nine inning complete game for the Sea Dogs since Jon Lester in 2005. Zink is tied for third in franchise history with 21 career wins. The 27-year old Zink, from El Dorado Hills, California was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a minor league free agent on April 1, 2002.

Shortstop Jed Lowrie has appeared in a team high 71 games and leads the team with a .295 average. Lowrie is tied for the Eastern League lead in walks with 48, he ranks second in the league in triples (7), and is tied for fourth with 22 doubles. Lowrie reached base safely in 38 consecutive games from April 29th to June 9th. It is the third longest streak in team history behind Kevin Youkilis (62) and Kevin Millar (46). The Salem, Oregon native was honored as the Red Sox Offensive Minor League Player of the Month for May. In 29 games in May, Lowrie hit .333 and set franchise records for walks in a month with 28 and on base percentage in the month of May (.484). The 23 year-old was selected by the Boston Red Sox as the 45th overall pick in the June 2005 draft.

Outfielder Jeff Corsaletti is hitting .285 in 69 games with the Sea Dogs this season. He currently ranks fifth in the league in runs scored with 53. He leads the Sea Dogs with 11 stolen bases. Last season, the Port Charlotte, Florida native led the Carolina League in walks with 97. The 24 year-old was drafted by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the June 2005 draft.

For more information on the 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game, including ticket information, log on to www.ctdefenders.com.

CLAY BUCHHOLZ CAPTURES EASTERN LEAGUE PITCHER OF THE WEEK HONORS

Portland Sea Dogs’ right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week of June 25th through July 1st. Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) made the selection.

Buchholz made two starts during the week posting a 1-0 record and 0.79 ERA with 15 strikeouts. On June 25th at New Hampshire, Buchholz tossed 6.1 innings allowing one run on four hits and striking out 11. Buchholz again faced the Fisher Cats on June 30th, at Hadlock Field, tossing five innings of no-hit ball while striking out four.

The 22 year-old has made 15 starts for the Sea Dogs this season posting a 6-2 record with an Eastern League leading 1.69 ERA. His 115 strikeouts leads all of Minor League Baseball.

The Red Sox top pitching prospect will participate in the 2007 MLB Futures All-Star Game in San Francisco on Sunday, July 8th. He was also honored as the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for the month of May.

The Lumberton, Texas native, was selected by the Red Sox as the 42nd overall pick in the June 2005 draft. In 2006 he was named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year after compiling an 11-4 record with a 2.42 ERA and leading all Red Sox farmhands with 140 strikeouts.

Sea Dogs right-handed pitcher Charlie Zink was selected as the Eastern League Pitcher of the week last week. It is the third time in Sea Dogs history that Sea Dogs pitchers earned the honor in consecutive weeks. Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester captured the honor for the weeks of June 27th-July 3rd and July 4th- July 10th, 2005. Josh Beckett and Hansel Izquierdo accomplished the feat the weeks of August 13th-August 19th and August 20th- August 26th, 2001.

The Sea Dogs continue their series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats today at 1:00 PM at Hadlock Field.

Sunday's Sea Dogs Lineup:
Corsaletti, CF
Lowrie, SS
Natale, DH
Pinckney, 3B
Johnson, LF
Keylor, RF
Otness, C
Crozier, 1B
Borowiak, 2B
Bowden, RHP

Notes:
Clay Buchholz set another franchise record in June, striking out 46 batters to break Matt Whisenant's 12-year old record. Buchholz also set the franchise record for strikeouts in May with 51. They are the second and third highest strikeout totals for a month in franchise history:

57 - Josh Beckett - August 2001
51 - Clay Buchholz - May 2007
46 - Clay Buchholz - June 2007
45 - Tony Saunders - July 1996
40 - Brent Billingsley - July 1998

Jeff Natale set a franchise record for walks in June with 27 -- one shy of Jed Lowrie's franchise record for walks in a month, set this May. Lowrie's 27 walks to 9 strikeouts is the best walks per strikeout mark in franchise history for a player with more than 20 walks in a month.