Kason Gabbard can't find the strike zone and New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager Bill Masse calls out his fans.

Between striking out lead-off batter Ichiro and inducing a double-play, here was the play-by-play in the bottom of the first inning, in Kason Gabbard's start against Seattle:

Lopez walked. Vidro singled. Sexson walked. Johjima hit by pitch. Guillen walked. Beltre walked.

Yuk.

In Portland, we have seen Gabbard struggle (6.21 ERA in 2004, 4.61 in '05). But he has been known to turn it around. It will be interesting to see how Boston handles him, and how Gabbard reacts.

In case you missed it, Portland Sea Dogs ace and top Red Sox pitching prospect Clay Buchholz received a standing ovation after his 6 1/3 innings of work in Manchester - a surprising gesture from Fisher Cats fans (who are also Red Sox fans).

Masse was not pleased. Here are his quotes from Tuesday's Union Leader:

"I think it's sad. We're not playing the Boston Red Sox. We're playing the Portland Sea Dogs. Unless you're from that area, you root for your hometown team. This is New Hampshire's team, Manchester's team and to see Clay Buchholz get a standing ovation was absolutely disgraceful ... It's disheartening to all our players to listen to that."

Masse is not shy from making controversial comments. But he usually does it to protect his players. Yes, he thinks the fans should be cheering for his guys only ... But there is a reason why the Sea Dogs play in New Hampshire so much (helping the Fisher Cats' gate) and why the Fisher Cats front office promotes the arrival of the "future Red Sox."

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