Greetings, as we work our way back from website woes. At first glance, I do not see Friday's game story from the Sea Dogs-Trenton Thunder on the site, so I have included it below.

Among the notes is news of the release of third baseman Andrew Pinckney.

I will have my usual blog posted soon this morning, with news from the other Red Sox minor league teams.

By KEVIN THOMAS
Staff Writer
In round one of this seven-game showdown with the first-place Trenton Thunder, the Portland Sea Dogs prevailed, 5-3 Friday night, before a sold-out Hadlock Field crowd of 7,368.

Portland (44-33) closed to within two games of Trenton (47-32) in the Eastern League Northern Division. They play each other six more times over the next six days, two here, and four in New Jersey.

"It's going to be a good series. We want to get closer," said designated hitter Sandy Madera.

Madera helped the cause with one of three Sea Dogs solo home runs, along with a two-run double. Aaron Bates and Mark Wagner hit back-to-back homers.

Portland starter Kyle Jackson (4-1) got the win with five shutout innings in his best performance since joining the rotation two weeks ago. He allowed three hits and a walk, striking out three.

"He showed pretty good stuff out there, worked ahead of hitters," Portland manager Arnie Beyeler said. "He located his fastball, and used his change-up and breaking ball very well."

Trenton reliever Eric Wordekemper (2-2) was forced into a start when Thunder starter Alfredo Aceves (1.80 ERA) was promoted to Triple-A. Wordekemper lasted 3 1/3 innings, and left with a 2-0 deficit.

Madera swatted a Wordekemper fastball in the second inning, landing it into the Sea Dogs bullpen in right center.

In the fourth, Bates worked a full count and blasted the eighth pitch to the message board in left center. That chased Wordekemper. Mark Melancon relieved and Wagner launched a 92 m.p.h. fastball to the Coke bottle above the left field Monster, for a 3-0 lead.

Jackson, who retired 11 straight batters, finished his night by pitching out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. He struck out Ramiro Pena, swinging at a cut fastball.

Jackson made a mini first-pump as he walked off the mound.

"With the crowd behind you, it builds up your momentum," Jackson said. "I just kept the ball down and gave myself a chance to get outs."

Reliever Daniel Haigwood pitched out of his own bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning. In the seventh, Trenton finally got a run on two singles, a sacrifice bunt, and Colin Curtis' RBI groundout to first.

Portland got two needed insurance runs in the seventh, on Madera's two-run double - a grounder smoked down the left field line.

Trenton scored a pair of two-out runs on three hits in the eighth, off reliever Mike James. But Sea Dogs closer Beau Vaughan got his ninth save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

NOTES: Portland received third baseman Jorge Jimenez, 23, from advanced Class A Lancaster, where he was batting .352 ... To make room for Jimenez, the Red Sox released third baseman Andrew Pinckney. Pinckney, 26, was batting .269 with five home runs and 37 RBI in his second season in Portland. "It's a hard pill to swallow," Pinckney said by phone Friday night ... Teams have contacted Pinckney, including the Toronto Blue Jays, who could assign him to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Both today's and Sunday's games are sellouts, although some returned season tickets may be available at the ticket window, beginning at 9 a.m. ... Friday's game began a half-hour late because of a thunderstorm ... Red Sox vice president/player personnel Ben Cherington is in town to watch the Dogs.

Staff writer Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or kthomas@pressherald.com

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