PORTLAND — The Portland Sea Dogs’ 13-5 loss to the Akron Aeros on Thursday afternoon demonstrated why they are now 49-68.
Portland leads the league in batting and the Sea Dogs outhit Akron 13-9.
But the hitting is not always timely (10 runners left on base, compared to six for Akron).
The base-running can be troublesome (two runners ran into outs, another was doubled up on a line drive).
The fielding is an issue at times (one error lead to five unearned runs in the seventh).
And the pitching is definitely inconsistent. Sporting the second-worst ERA in the league, the Sea Dogs pitchers gave up eight walks, while hitting a batter.
There were also two Akron home runs and two runs scored on wild pitches.
“The walks — giving the free passes — and our base-running hurt us,” Portland manager Kevin Boles said. “The offense swung the bats well, but we gave them extra outs with our base-running.”
Now for the three bright spots: Four hits by new outfielder Ronald Bermudez, three by Will Middlebrooks — including a solo home run — and the promise of starting pitcher Chris Balcom-Miller (2-6).
Never mind Balcom-Miller’s 5.12 ERA, the right-hander shows the tools of a future reliever — namely an ability to get ground balls and strikeouts, using his sinking fastball and sweeping slider.
In his five innings, Balcom-Miller allowed only two balls hit to the outfield in the air (one was caught, the other a double). The other three hits he allowed were ground-ball singles. And he struck out eight.
“Balcom-Miller had some pretty good stuff at times,” Boles said. “But we gave up too many free passes.”
Balcom-Miller gave up a run in the first and then suffered a quick, momentary collapse in the fourth. He loaded the bases on two walks and a hit-batter, before yielding a two-run double and two-run single.
He finished his outing by retiring five straight batters, three by strikeout, but left with Portland down 5-4.
Relievers Eammon Portice and Michael Lee both gave up three-run homers as Akron (62-56) broke it open.
The most impressive Portland performance was by Bermudez, 23, who has toiled in the lower levels of the minors for the previous five years. Bermudez, in his second game with the Sea Dogs, went 4-for-5 with a double and RBI. He also made a nifty over-the-shoulder catch in center field.
NOTES: Middlebrooks’ home run was his team-leading 16th … Ryan Khoury scored in the third and fourth innings to establish a Sea Dogs franchise record for runs (166), surpassing Kevin Millar (164) … Khoury walked in the fourth and sixth, adding to his franchise career lead, with 154 … Reliever Jeremy Kehrt returned from Triple-A to replace Caleb Clay, who went on the disabled list with sore back … The announced paid attendance was 6,584. . . . Two Sea Dogs were named to Baseball America’s “Best Tools” list, based on a survey of scouts and minor league managers. Will Middlebrooks was named the best batting prospect in the Eastern League, and Alex Hassan was deemed to have the best strike zone judgement … Three former Sea Dogs made the Triple-A list: Pawtucket’s Ryan Lavarnway (best power prospect) and Jose Iglesias (best defensive shortstop) in the International League, and Tucson’s Anthony Rizzo (best power prospect) in the Pacific Coast League) … Future Sea Dogs outfielder Bryce Brentz was named the best power prospects in the advanced Class A Carolina League. . . . The Sea Dogs welcome the Erie Seawolves this weekend for their only visit to Hadlock Field this season. Erie, a Tigers affiliate, was 56-60, heading into Thursday night’s game in New Hampshire. The Tigers’ top prospect, pitcher Jacob Turner, was promoted from Erie to Triple-A last week. . . . Tonight is “Green Night” at Hadlock. Fans get 2-for-1 ticket deals if they ride their bike to the game. The first 1,000 fans receive a reusable Hannaford shopping bag … Sunday is “Boots for Biscuits” L.L. Bean Day. A pre-game parade at 12:15 p.m. welcomes anyone wearing L.L. Bean boots. Participants receive a free Sea Dog Biscuit (ice cream sandwich).
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