Sea Dogs near playoff bid, eye league divisional title

The Portland Sea Dogs are one win – or a Trenton loss – away from their first playoff spot since 1997 and are well positioned to win their first division title in that same span.

A Portland win over Altoona or a New Britain loss to Erie will clinch things for the Dogs, who carry a 74-62 record into Thursday’s game with a four-game lead over second-place Trenton.

The top two teams in each division (northern and southern) of the Eastern League qualify for the playoffs, which are scheduled to start Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. If the Sea Dogs finish first, they would host games 1, 2 and 5 (if necessary) in a best 3-of-5 series on Sept. 7, 8 and 11. If they finish second, they will host games 3 and 4 (if necessary) Sept. 9 and 10.

Dogs of distinction

Outfielder David Murphy and lefthanded starter Jon Lester were named the Portland Sea Dogs player and pitcher of the year, respectively, Sunday by a vote of the fans. Murphy, a center fielder rated as the Boston Red Sox 15th best prospect, entered Thursday’s game with a .283 average, 14 home runs, 71 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Lester, Boston’s No. 4 prospect, ranks first in the Eastern League in strikeouts (158) and third in ERA (2.72) while compiling a 10-6 record. He has pitched three complete games and also holds the franchise record for single game strikeouts with 13 in a July 11 game.

Two other award winners were named as infielder Raul Nieves picked up the 10th Player Award and catcher Alberto Concepcion was named Citizen of the Year. Nieves has played second base, third, shortstop, outfield and even made a relief pitching appearance this season, going 1 1/3 innings and allowing two hits and two runs. Concepcion never turns down an autograph request, is involved in numerous baseball clinics, and is one of the Dogs’ primary good will ambassadors.

All-stars, part II

Lefthander Jon Lester, shortstop Hanley Ramirez and second baseman Dustin Pedroia were named to the Eastern League’s Postseason All-Star team to give the Portland Sea Dogs its largest contingent on the annual team since 1999. This particular all-star team is selected by the votes of EL managers, coaches, sportswriters, radio and TV broadcasters. Portland and the Erie SeaWolves are the only two EL teams with three players each on the 13-member team.

Boston’s top-rated prospect, Ramirez enters Thursday’s game batting .277 with six home runs, 52 RBIs and 26 stolen bases.

Lester is 10-6 with a 2.72 ERA and a league-leading 158 strikeouts and only 56 walks in 142 1/3 innings.

Pedroia, Boston’s sixth-ranked prospect, played 66 games for Portland and hit .324 with 19 doubles, eight home runs, 40 RBIs and a .409 on-base percentage before being promoted to Pawtucket.

Johnson, Tosca enshrined

Former Portland Sea Dogs catcher Charles Johnson and manager Carlos Tosca became the inaugural members of the Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies Friday.

Johnson was the Sea Dogs’ first legitimate star player after a 1994 season in which he hit .264 with 28 home runs and 80 RBIs before being named to the Eastern League, Baseball America, and USA Today Minor League All-Star teams. He went on to play 12 major league seasons. Tosca was the first manager in Sea Dogs history and held the post for three seasons, directing the Dogs to a 229-195 record and playoff appearances in 1995 and 1996. Tosca is currently the third base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Andrew Neff can be reached at 990-8205, 1-800-310-8600, or at aneff@bangordailynews.net