Scout.com > Boston Sea Dogs Even Playoff Series Story URL: http://redsox.scout.com/2/676848.html Jerry Beach DiehardMagazine.com Sep 7, 2007 As someone who made two postseason starts for the Sea Dogs last season, Tommy Hottovy was already familiar with the adrenaline-fueled environment of the Eastern League playoffs, in which overnight bus trips are the norm during a pair of series that are played without the benefit of an off-day. “Take advantage of all the rest we can possibly get,” Hottovy said with a laugh after the Sea Dogs clinched a playoff spot Tuesday. “Especially when you’re going to Trenton. That’s a seven-hour bus trip we’re going to make at least once, possibly twice.” The Sea Dogs hope it’s not necessary a third time. Portland rode an impressive performance by its bullpen Thursday to edge Trenton, 3-2, in 13 innings and even the best-of-five Northern Division Championship Series at one game apiece. Games Three and Four are scheduled for tonight and Saturday at Hadlock Field in Portland. Last year, the Sea Dogs fell to Trenton in the opener of the NDCS before winning the next three—including a dramatic Game Four in which Brandon Moss hit a walk-off homer to allow the Sea Dogs to escape another overnight bus trip to Trenton for what would have been a decisive fifth game. The Sea Dogs should be particularly invigorated today after coming back from a 2-0 deficit Thursday against EL pitcher of the year Alan Horne, who didn’t allow a hit until the Sea Dogs put together three straight hits—the last of which was Bryan Pritz’ two-run single—to start the sixth inning. Andrew Pinckney, who was thrown out at home to end the 10th inning, singled home Pritz with the winning run with two outs in the 13th. The Sea Dogs also had a chance to take the lead in the eighth, when Jay Johnson struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning, and ninth, when Jeff Corsaletti was thrown out at home for the third out. Charlie Zink, who spent the final month of the regular season with Triple-A Pawtucket before he replaced the injured Felix Diaz on the Sea Dogs roster Wednesday, allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five over seven innings before Jose Vaquedano (three innings), Barry Hertzler (one inning) and Mike James (two innings) combined to blank the Thunder on just three hits the rest of the way. Vaquedano induced inning-ending double plays in the eighth and ninth as he tied his season high in innings pitched. For James, it was only the fourth time in 56 appearances this year he’s gone at least two innings. The Sea Dogs will send their co-staff ace, Michael Bowden, to the mound tonight as they try to move one step closer to making Hottovy look clairvoyant. “We’ll have some big games down there, but if we go down and take care of business, we can come home in a real position to win the Northern Division,” Hottovy said Tuesday. “And I think guys see that and we’re [not just] here to say that we made it. We’re going to take full advantage of it.” NORTHERN DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Portland vs. Trenton (Series tied, 1-1) Game One (Wednesday): Trenton 3, Portland 1 (WP: Wright; LP: Masterson) Game Two (Thursday): PORTLAND 3, Trenton 2; 13 innings (WP: James; LP: Whelan) Game Three (Friday): Trenton (Dan McCutchen, 3-2, 2.41 ERA) at PORTLAND (Michael Bowden, 8-6, 4.28 ERA), 6 p.m. Game Four (Saturday): Trenton (Jeff Marquez, 15-9, 3.65 ERA) at PORTLAND (Chris Smith, 6-9, 4.41 ERA), 6 p.m. Game Five (Sunday): PORTLAND (Tommy Hottovy, 4-10, 5.61 ERA at Trenton (Tyler Clippard, 2-1, 5.40 ERA), 6 p.m.*** ***If necessary Diehard managing editor Jerry Beach can be reached at diehardmag@yahoo.com. To receive a free issue of Diehard, call 888-979-0979. Copyright © Scout.com and DiehardMagazine.com