Portland Sea Dogs triumph over New Britain Rock Cats
The competition was fierce at Hadlock Field Sunday, July 11, especially for the Portland Sea Dogs’ Casey Kelly, playing his second game at the field. The main concern was New Britain’s Kyle Gibson, who is currently the top pitching prospect for the major-league Twins. Even though Gibson had only allowed four runs in his last 3 games against the Sea Dogs, Portland was able to make 7 hits over Gibson this time around. Both Anthony Rizzo and Ray Chang brought in home runs.The Sea Dog’s last game in the series against the Rock Cats took place July 12 at noon at Hadlock Field. Two days later, three team members headed to the 2010 Eastern League All-Star Game at Metro Bank park in Harrisburg, PA. The three players are infielders Ray Chang and Nate Spears and pitcher Stephen Fife. These teams are made up by fan voting and media personnel, club personnel, and Eastern League administrators.Other Sea Dogs making the news recently include pitcher Jason Rice. On the day before a game, he was out working with children from the community, teaching them the ins and outs of the perfect throw, as well as how to work together to execute double plays. Rice has been involved with the community since his move here at the beginning of the 2010 Eastern League season. In addition to these clinics, he makes visits to schools, birthday parties, camps and hospitals.On the field, Jason Rice is part of the Rule 5 Draft, meaning he is primarily headed to the Red Sox, but other teams still have a chance to snap him up first. Rice is realistic about his chances of making it to the big leagues, and chooses to spend his time spreading goodwill to the children without the opportunities he has had.