While Portland finished its regular season quietly with a 3-0 loss to the Harrisburg Senators, a buzz is beginning to build for the Sea Dogs. And that buzz includes newly-signed Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo.
The Boston Red Sox confirmed Monday that Castillo will be joining the Portland Sea Dogs for their playoff games this week.
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EL playoffs
WHO: Portland Sea Dogs at Binghamton Mets
WHAT: Game 1 of the best-of-five Eastern Division finals
WHEN: 6:35 p.m. Wednesday
Castillo recently signed a $72.5 million deal with Boston through the 2020 season. He played Saturday and Sunday for Boston’s rookie team in the Gulf Coast League (he went a combined 1 for 5 with a walk).
The Red Sox have three minor league teams playing in playoff games this week – Triple-A Pawtucket, Double-A Portland and advanced Class A Salem.
Officials with the Red Sox and Sea Dogs confirmed Castillo is joining the Sea Dogs Wednesday.
Portland begins the Eastern League playoffs Wednesday and Thursday in Binghamton, New York. The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field in Portland at 6 p.m. Friday for Game 3 in the best-of-five series. Games 4 and 5, if necessary, will be Saturday and Sunday at Hadlock.
If Portland defeats the Binghamton Mets, the Sea Dogs will play another five-game series the following week for the league championship, against either Richmond or Akron.
“If he comes here and can help us win a game or two, that would be great,” Portland catcher Michael Brenly said of Castillo.
Portland, despite Monday’s loss, finished with a franchise-best 88-54 record.
On Monday, the Sea Dogs did little. They had six hits and were shut out by a committee of five Harrisburg relievers.
Carson Blair paced the Portland offense with a single and double.
Sea Dogs right-hander Luis Diaz (3-4) made his first start in a week, coming off the disabled list (back spasms). He allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over five innings.
Portland then sent out four relievers to get in their work before the playoffs.
The team leaves for Binghamton on Tuesday.
“We’ll go get a good dinner and some sleep (Monday night), then get on the bus,” Brenly said. “When Wednesday rolls around, we’ll remember how well we played all year, and forget this one.”
Brenly added some levity to the game. With two outs and no one on base in the ninth inning, he stepped to the plate as a left-handed batter for the first time in his career. He ended up blooping a double to left field.
“It was a tough game for us today. I was just trying to have some fun out there and see if it would work, and it did,” Brenly said.
NOTES: Former Sea Dogs catcher Blake Swihart was named the team’s Most Valuable Player, the Sea Dogs announced before Monday’s game. Other awards announced: Pitcher of the Year (Henry Owens), the Tenth Player (Derrik Gibson) and Citizen of the Year (Mike McCarthy). All but McCarthy have been promoted to Triple-A. Swihart had batted .300 (.840 OPS) with 12 home runs. Owens was 14-4 with a 2.60 ERA and 127 strikeouts. Gibson batted .302 while playing six positions, as well as DH. McCarthy volunteers for nearly every community event the Sea Dogs are a part of … The announced attendance was 5,945 … Sea Dogs ace Brian Johnson (10-2, 1.75 ERA) confirmed he will start Game 1 of the Eastern Division playoffs Wednesday.
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