enlarge John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Adam Mills was so effective Thursday, the Altoona Curve didn’t even have a hard-hit ball until the eighth inning. Mills has won his last eight starts for the Portland Sea Dogs.

TODAY'S GAME

WHO: Bowie Baysox (Tim Bascom 2-4) at Portland Sea Dogs (Blake Maxwell 3-7)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Hadlock Field

PORTLAND — With Junichi Tazawa promoted to Triple-A, Felix Doubront is the top pitching prospect on the Portland Sea Dogs. But there's no question who the ace currently is:

Adam Mills.

Mills (10-5) won his eighth straight start Thursday, allowing no earned runs over eight innings in an 8-1 victory over Altoona at Hadlock Field.

Juan Apodaca knocked in three runs with two doubles and Ryan Kalish hit a monster two-run homer over the elevated Norway Savings sign in right field.

Mills, 24, again displayed pinpoint command, walking none and reaching a three-ball count only once. He struck out eight and allowed five hits – three infield dribblers through the first seven innings and two line drives in the eighth.

"He lives on location," said former Sea Dogs outfielder Jeff Corsaletti, now with Altoona. "He located his stuff today and kept us off balance. We didn't hit one ball hard until the eighth inning."

Mills' fastball reached only 88 mph, but combined with his cut fastball, slider and change-up, he frustrated Altoona. His strike ratio was 80 percent (76 of 95).

"He kept the ball down," Apodaca said, "and his breaking ball was outstanding."

The performance again emphasized how Mills has turned his season around. Through April and May, he was 1-3 with a 7.30 ERA, 22 strikeouts and 13 walks in eight starts.

Since then, Mills is 9-2 in 12 starts with a 1.85 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 13 walks.

"Just having your head in the right place," Mills said. "Focus on what you need to focus on and not worry about anything else."

Mills was an eighth-round draft pick by the Boston Red Sox out of North Carolina-Charlotte in 2007.

Apodaca, 23, came to the Red Sox organization from the Reds in a cash deal in 2007. He started this season slowly as Mark Wagner's backup, batting .189 through June with two doubles and one home run.

Since then, Apodaca is hitting .428 (24 for 56) with nine doubles and two home runs. He's on an eight-game hitting streak.

"I've been working with (hitting coach Dave) Joppie, working with my lower half. I feel stronger," he said.

To get Apodaca to use the lower half of his body more, Joppie suggested he lift his left foot in his stance.

"We made a slight mechanical change to use his strength," Joppie said. "He tried it in the cage for 10 minutes, took it right into the game and had instant success. All the credit goes to him."

Although Apodaca is still considered a backup to the newly arrived prospect, Luis Exposito, it will be tough to keep him out of the lineup.

"He's a strong kid and now he's starting to drive the ball," said Manager Arnie Beyeler.

Exposito was the designated hitter and went 2 for 4 with an RBI double.

After the game, the team headed to Kennebunk Beach for the annual lobster bake at owner Dan Burke's house.

"Winning makes everything taste better," Beyeler said.

NOTES: Outfielder Daniel Nava made his Double-A debut and reached base three times on a single, hit batter and walk. ... Kalish left the game after seven innings simply for a breather, Beyeler said. ... The paid attendance was a sellout (7,368). Today's game is also a sellout. Sunday's game will feature a chance for fans to play catch on the field before the game, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com