The Sea Dogs were off yesterday and take on the Trenton Thunder in a short 3-game series on Tuesday night at Waterfront Park. Portland holds a 3 1/2 game lead over New Hampshire for the second playoff spot in the Northern Division. Trenton holds a seven game lead over the Sea Dogs for the top spot in the North.

Tonight, Chris Smith faces Tyler Clippard in the series opener.

With the 2007 Eastern League season nearing an end, and the Sea Dogs in the hunt for a playoff spot, plans have been finalized for the sale of Sea Dogs’ playoff tickets. Last year the Sea Dogs captured their first Eastern League Championship in franchise history, don’t miss the magic this year. Beginning on Tuesday, August 14th, fans may purchase playoff ticket strips (tickets for all five potential playoff games). On Thursday, August 23rd at 9:00 AM individual playoff tickets will go on sale. Both strip and individual playoff tickets will be available for purchase both at the Hadlock Field Box Office and over the phone at 207-879-9500. Playoff tickets are not available online.

The top two teams from each division will qualify for post-season play. Currently the Sea Dogs sit in second place, seven games behind the Trenton Thunder (Yankees) and 3.5 games ahead of the third place New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays). The Sea Dogs have 24 games left in the 2007 campaign including nine games with the Thunder and four with the Fisher Cats.

The top two teams in each division (Northern and Southern) play each other in a best of five series. The first place team hosts games 1, 2, and 5 (if necessary). The second place team hosts games 3 and 4 (if necessary). The winners of those two series will square off in a best of five Eastern League Championship Series. The Northern Division team will host games 1 and 2 and the Southern Division team will host games 3, 4 (if necessary), and 5 (if necessary).

Since it is not yet known at this time what place the Sea Dogs might finish, the maximum number of playoff games that could be played at Hadlock Field is five (5).

Ticket prices are the same as regular season ticket prices:
Individual Tickets Strip Tickets
Box Seats: $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for kids and seniors $40.00 adults/ $35.00 kids/seniors
Reserved Seats: $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for kids and seniors $35.00 adults/ $30.00 kids/seniors
General Admission: $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids and seniors $30.00 adults/ $15.00 kids/seniors
Kids = 16 and under, Seniors = 62 and over

Friday, September 28th is the last day to return any playoff tickets from games Not Played for a refund. You Must save your ticket from these games to get a refund. WE CANNOT ISSUE A REFUND WITHOUT THEM.

Any questions regarding playoff tickets should be directed to the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or tickets@seadogs.com.

TENTATIVE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

EASTERN LEAGUE DIVISIONAL SERIES
Wednesday 9/5- Game #1 @ First Place Club's Home Field
Thursday 9/6- Game #2 @ First Place Club's Home Field
Friday 9/7- Game #3 @ Second Place Club's Home Field
Following Games Played If Needed
Saturday 9/8- Game #4 @ Second Place Club's Home Field
Sunday 9/9- Game #5 @ First Place Club's Home Field

EASTERN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Tuesday 9/11- Game #1 @ Northern Division Playoff Winner
Wednesday 9/12-Game #2 @ Northern Division Playoff Winner
Friday 9/14- Game #3 @ Southern Division Playoff Winner
Following Games Played If Needed
Saturday 9/15- Game #4 @ Southern Division Playoff Winner
Sunday 9/16- Game #5 @ Southern Division Playoff Winner

-In Case Of Postponement, The Games Are Moved Back A Day

Ever since it was announced last December that the Portland Sea Dogs would play a game at Fenway Park, August 11th has been circled on the players, staff, and fans' calendars. It is a picture perfect day at Fenway Park at the Sea Dogs prepare to take on the Harrisburg Senators. I arrived at the ballpark shortly before 10:00 AM this morning and the fans were eagerly awaiting the opening of the gates. Only in Red Sox Nation can you get 30,000 fans to a minor league game.

Earlier today the Red Sox Short Season Single-A affiliate the Lowell Spinners defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades in walk-off fashion 2-1. While the Spinners were defeating Hudson Valley the Portland Sea Dogs were signing autographs to a very large contingent of Red Sox Nation fans in the Big Concourse at Fenway Park.

One highlight I'm sure the Sea Dogs players won't soon forgot is their entrance onto to the field. Security closed off part of the concourse to usher the Sea Dogs onto the field, fans lined up five to six rows deep and loudly cheered the Sea Dogs on. The players giving high fives to the young fans, quite a treat for Red Sox Nation and the players.

No Pressure: No Red Sox affiliate has ever lost in a Future at Fenway event. Lowell and Pawtucket both won last year. Lowell won in Game One this year, it is up to the Sea Dogs to keep the streak alive.

Saturday's Sea Dogs Lineup:
Jeff Natale, DH
Jeff Corsaletti, LF
Bubba Bell, CF
Aaron Bates, 1B (Sea Dogs Debut)
Cory Keylor, RF
Dusty Brown, C
Andrew Pinckney, 3B
Iggy Suarez, SS
Zach Borowiak, 2B

The Portland Sea Dogs will get the opportunity to play at America's "Most Beloved Ballpark", Fenway Park, on Saturday, August 11th. The event is part of the second annual "Future's at Fenway presented by Filene's Basement" minor league doubleheader. Last year the Single-A Lowell Spinners and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox were featured in the unique doubleheader.

The 2007 “Futures at Fenway, Presented by Filene’s Basement” doubleheader will feature a return by the Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox’ short-season Single-A affiliate, and the first appearance by the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston’s Double-A farm club. Lowell will square off against the Hudson Valley Renegades (Tampa Bay organization) in a New York-Penn League contest beginning at 12:05 p.m. That game will be followed by Portland and the Harrisburg Senators (Washington organization) in a match-up of Eastern League teams. The Fenway Park gates open at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Both games will be nine innings in duration, there will be approximately one hour in between games.

Several thousand tickets for “Futures at Fenway, Presented by Filene’s Basement” still remain and are on sale via the internet at www.redsox.com or by touch-tone telephone at (617) 482-4SOX. Fans with disabilities may call (877) REDSOX-9 to purchase accessible seating (while supplies last).

As was the case in 2006, family-friendly ticket prices and kid-friendly activities will highlight this day of minor league fun at America’s “Most Beloved Ballpark”. Originally the vision of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the inaugural “Futures at Fenway” on August 26, 2006 attracted a capacity crowd of 33,394 for a twinbill between Lowell and Oneonta and Pawtucket and Rochester. Those were the first minor league games played at Fenway Park since the 1977 Eastern League All-Star Game and the first regular season minor league contests since 1966.

Kids attending “Futures at Fenway Presented by Filene’s Basement” will be selected randomly throughout the day to participate in a number of exciting activities, such as working with the grounds crew, participating in mascot races and taking part in other on-field activities. Additionally, youngsters will be able to get autographs from the players during autograph sessions scheduled on the Big Concourse.

Lowell (26-22, 3rd in Stedler Division) will start lefthander Jose Capellan (4-2, 3.40), who ranks fourth in the New York-Penn League in innings pitched (53.0) and strikeouts (53). He will be opposed by Hudson Valley (20-28, 4th in McNamrara Division) righthander Alex Cobb (3-3, 3.18). The National Anthem prior to Game 1 will be performed by Ronnie Jones, the winner of the Spinners “Idol Contest” while Lowell Spinners Owner Drew Weber will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Portland (61-52, 2nd in North Division) will start righthander Michael Bowden (6-4, 4.28), who is 3-0, 2.25 in his last four outings. Harrisburg (40-77, 6th in South Division) will counter with righthander Beltran Perez (6-5, 4.81). Prior to the second game, the National Anthem will be sung by Jeremy Porter, who has performed those honors at numerous SeaDogs games. The ceremonial first pitch will be tossed by 16-year-old Kelly Lynch of Milton, MA, the winner of the Filene’s Basement Ceremonial First Pitch Sweepstakes. Kelly’s family rescheduled their summer vacation so she could participate in Saturday’s ceremony.

Filene’s Basement is the presenting sponsor of “Futures at Fenway” for the first time in 2007 and has added a number of perks for fans. Filene’s Basement “Families of the Game” will be selected at random during the minor league doubleheader to receive $100 Basement gift cards and tickets to future Red Sox home games. Fans presenting a ticket stub from the 2007 “Futures at Fenway” day will receive a 15% discount on one item at any of Filene’s Basement’s seven locations in the Greater Boston area.

“Futures at Fenway Presented by Filene’s Basement” will also be televised by NESN for the second consecutive year. Glenn Geffner and Ken Ryan will call the action for both games with Kathryn Tappen hosting the between-games show.

All Sea Dogs offices will be closed on Saturday, August 11th including the Sea Dogs Souvenir Store and Ticket Office.

Red Sox Minor League Awards for July:
Offensive Player of the Month: C Dusty Brown, Portland (.455 BA, 8 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, .516 OBP, .800 SLG)

Pitcher of the Month: RHP Justin Masterson, Portland (4-0, 1.36, 33.0 IP, 35 SO)

Defensive Player of the Month: OF Josh Reddick, Greenville

Base-Stealer of the Month: Victor Serrano, Gulf Coast Red Sox

Dominican Summer League Player of the Month: OF Ronald Bermudez

Dominican Summer League Pitcher of the Month: RHP Randy Consuegra

Friday's Sea Dogs News & Notes:
The Boston Red Sox have promoted infielder Aaron Bates to the Sea Dogs from Single-A Lancaster. Sea Dogs’ infielder Chad Spann has been placed on the disabled list creating room for Bates on the Sea Dogs’ 24-man roster. Bates will wear uniform # 25.

The 23-year old Bates has appeared in 98 games with the JetHawks this season, he leads the California League with 24 home runs and ranks fourth in the league in hitting with a .332 average. He also leads the league in on base percentage (.456) and ranks third in slugging percentage (.592). Bates became the first player in California League history to hit four home runs in one game on May 19, 2007. He was honored as the California League Player of the Week for the week of April 30th through May 6th. Bates was selected by the Red Sox in the third round of the June 2006 draft.

Friday's Sea Dogs lineup:
Jeff Natale, 1B
Jeff Corsaletti, CF
Jay Johnson, LF
Dusty Brown, C
Andrew Pinckney, 3B
Bryan Pritz, DH
Cory Keylor, RF
Iggy Suarez, SS
Zach Borowiak, 2B
Justin Masterson, P

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field tonight against the Altoona Curve at 7:00 PM after recording a 6-0 road trip. Portland has won six straight and 20 of their 27 games and now sit just four games behind the Trenton Thunder (Yankees) and 4.5 games ahead of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) for the final playoff spot in the Eastern League’s Northern Division. Tonight Christopher appears at Hadlock Field.

News & Notes:
Sea Dogs right-handed pitcher Justin Msterson was selected the Eastern League Player of the Month for July. The 22 year-old, Masterson, made five starts for the Sea Dogs in July posting a 4-0 record with a 1.36 ERA. 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 nine strikeouts. He captured Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of July 9th through July 15th, his first week in the Eastern League.

Former Sea Dog Brandon Moss made his Major League debut Monday night in Anaheim, California for the Red Sox. Moss is the 145th Sea Dog player to appear in the Major Leagues. Moss replaced Manny ramirez in left field after he was ejected. Moss was 0-2. Moss was the Eastern League MVP for the 2006 playoffs.

The Sea Dogs recorded the 1,000th win in franchise histroy on Sunday, August 5th in Harrisburg, PA.

Cory Keylor became the second Sea Dog in franchise history to hit for the cycle on Saturday night in Harrisburg. Cesar Crespo accomplished the feat on June 16, 2000. Ross Gload also hit for the cycle for the Portland Sea Dogs in an exhibition game with the Florida Marlins on June 29, 2000.

Also on Saturday in Harrisburg, Chad Spann tied a franchise record with 7 RBI's and Dusty Brown hit a grand slam.

The Sea Dogs will play at Fenway Park on Saturday, August 11th as part of the “Futures at Fenway” event. Please contact the Red Sox at (617) 482-4SOX or www.redsox.com for ticket information.

PLAYOFF TICKETS
Individual Game Playoff Tickets will go on sale to the General Public on August 23rd at 9:00 AM. Stay tuned for further information regarding playoff tickets. Eastern League playoffs are set to begin on Wednesday, September 5th. The top two teams in each division qualify for post season play.

Monday's Sea Dogs Lineup:
Bubba Bell, CF
Jay Johnson, LF
Jeff Natale, 1B
Chad Spann, DH
Cory Keylor, RF
Dusty Brown, C
Andrew Pinckney, 3B
Iggy Suarez, SS
Zach Borowiak, 2B
Felix Diaz, P