Navigators come to town

The Sea Dogs have been out of town and the auditors have been in town, the result being that the Blog has suffered for a few days. The good news for you, the loyal reader, is that the Dogs are back home starting tomorrow (Friday) night, and I'll be doing all the games this weekend (as always, weather permitting).

This weekend Portland hosts the Norwich Navigators, who they also met opening weekend at Hadlock. The Navigators are currently 11-15 and in last place in the EL North. I highlighted a few of the Norwich prospects in my April 8 post, and I'd like to give a couple of updates.

Merkin Valdez, the top prospect for the Giants, has made five starts and is currently 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA, numbers that you would expect with his eye-popping upper-90's heat. Valdez, however, has allowed 6 unearned runs, 27 hits and 11 walks (vs. 21 K's) in 23 1/3 IP, which is consistent with what I saw when I watched him pitch. The Sea Dogs have had little problem with Valdez, who should be starting Friday's game.

Alfredo Simon, who will not pitch this weekend, is 1-3 with a 6.10 ERA in 6 starts thus far. His peripherals are better than the numbers indicate: 39 hits (3 HR) and only 7 walks in 31 IP, with a 3:1 K:BB ratio.

Billy Sadler has a 3.45 ERA and one save in 8 games (15.2 IP). He's struck out 15 but walked 9 while allowing only 9 hits thus far.

Fred Lewis is hitting 260/336/333-0-4 with 3 steals in 7 attempts through 24 games played. With zero power, he needs to get on base more and not make outs on the bases.

Norwich doesn't have a lot of great hitting stats thus far. Top producers have included Dan Ortmeier (258/324/412-3-17, 9 SB), Anthony Labarbera (274/398/333-0-13, 16 walks) and Eric Von Schell (231/307/396-4-14). Chris Begg (2-2, 1.82 in five starts) and David Aardsma (3-2, 2.88 in 5 games) lead an impressive pitching staff. Given these numbers, it's likely that Norwich is a "pitchers" park, but I don't know this for sure.