Fairchild returns to Double-A after rehab

Monmouth native Thomas “Tip” Fairchild has finally rejoined his Corpus Christi Hooks teammates following a yearlong rehabilitation after 2007 Tommy John ligament replacement surgery.

The 24-year-old righthanded starting pitcher appeared in two games (both starts) for Corpus Christi – the Houston Astros’ Double-A affiliate – last year before tearing an ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm and had surgery to replace it with a ligament from his left arm last May.

The former Monmouth Academy and University of Southern Maine standout did not enjoy a triumphant return as he lasted just one inning in his first start. Fairchild was hit hard, yielding eight runs (all earned), four hits and three walks with no strikeouts. Fairchild was lifted after facing four batters in the second inning against Arkansas in a 13-10 loss.

Rogers still mending

Righthanded pitcher Mark Rogers of Orrs Island is still recovering from 2007 shoulder surgery and has yet to pitch a single inning this year due to continued discomfort in his throwing shoulder. The Milwaukee Brewers’ first pick in the 2004 Major League First-Year Player Draft has not yet been assigned by the parent club to a minor league affiliate.

The former two-sport star athlete at Mount Ararat High School in Topsham last pitched in the Arizona Fall League in 2006, going 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA in three games (all starts). He pitched only four innings, allowing five hits, a run (earned), and two walks while striking out five batters.

The 22-year-old Rogers has had shoulder trouble before. In 2006, he was placed on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

Last season, Rogers was 1-2 with a 5.07 ERA in 16 starts for the advanced Single-A Brevard County Manatees. He gave up 68 hits and 53 walks in 71 innings but also tallied 96 strikeouts.

Rogers signed a $2.2 million contract with the Brewers after they selected him fifth overall in 2004.

Fathers playing catch with sons

The Portland Sea Dogs will host their fourth annual Father’s Day Catch on the Field June 8 at Hadlock Field in Portland.

Anyone with a June 8 game ticket will be allowed to take their children on the field from 10-11:30 a.m. and play catch. Participants must bring their own gloves for the event, which will precede a 1 p.m. game between the Sea Dogs and Akron Aeros.

Game tickets are available by calling the Sea Dogs ticket office at 879-9500.

The allotted time for the pregame catch may be limited, depending on the number of fans who participate, in order to allow all the fans to take part.

Dogs raise green with pink

The Portland Sea Dogs raised $1,431 for charity from the auction sale of seven commemorative pink game jerseys worn on Mother’s Day, May 11 and signed by the entire team.

All money raised from the shirts auctions went to the Maine Cancer Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

In all, seven jerseys were auctioned off: two signed by the entire Sea Dogs team, one signed by 10 Boston Red Sox players who played for Portland, three player jerseys signed only by the individual players who wore them (Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden, Dustin Richardson) and one by team mascot Slugger the Sea Dog.

The Sea Dogs jersey signed by Red Sox players Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Brandon Moss, Jed Lowrie, Manny Delcarmen and trainer Masai Takahashi was not sold because the reserve price was not met. The highest of the 11 bids for the jersey was $585.

aneff@bangordailynews.net

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