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Thursday 15th April 2004

Hadlock Field crew member Mike LaBonte squeegees a dugout Wednesday
in preparation for today's home opener for the Portland Sea Dogs.
Drizzle is in the forecast for this morning, but possible clearing in the afternoon
means the game might start as scheduled at 6:20 p.m.

Get ready to greet the Dogs


Portland Sea Dogs Manager Ron Johnson arrived at Hadlock Field on the team bus Wednesday afternoon, announced "it's great to be home" and got to work readying for the next game.

The Sea Dogs, celebrating their 10th anniversary, play their home opener today against the Binghamton Mets.
The game will start at 6:20 p.m. after 30 minutes of opening ceremonies.

Former Red Sox manager Dick Williams will throw out the first pitch.

After two days of rain, today's forecast calls for more moisture this morning, but clearing in the afternoon.

Today also marks the first of seven straight home games, the second-longest homestand of the season.
Tickets are available for every game, and promotions include fireworks Friday and baseball card giveaways Friday, Monday and Wednesday.

The Sea Dogs (1-4) came home early Wednesday after their morning game in New Britain, Conn., was rained out, as was Tuesday night's game.

"We're trying to get some guys acclimated, and these rainouts don't help," Johnson said.
"The other night we were starting to play a little bit better."

Johnson was far from ready to offer detailed evaluations after five games but said he thought his players were swinging the bats better in the one game they played against New Britain, an 8-6 win on Monday.
The Sea Dogs lost their first four road games against Altoona.
"Obviously, you're never happy to lose four straight," Johnson said.
"But I try not to deal with that right now. We want to get these guys comfortable. Then we can start working on some stuff and go from there."

Johnson said his starting pitchers "got their feet wet and handled it real well."

Because of the rainouts, opening-day starter Charlie Zink will start tonight on six days' rest.
Zink, a knuckleball pitcher, will be followed by Abe Alvarez, Chris Smith and Jerome Gamble.
In his first start, Zink allowed two runs on five hits and five walks over five innings in a 3-2 loss to Altoona.

The Sea Dogs' offense has been led by second baseman Jesus Medrano (.474) and outfielders Eric Johnson (.421) and Brett Roneberg (.368).