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Change works for Sea Dogs
BY RACHEL LENZI
Blethen Maine Newspapers
Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 05/11/2008

PORTLAND -- Jeff Corsaletti found himself in a new spot in the Portland Sea Dogs' batting order Saturday.

And it suited him well.

Corsaletti hit a two-out single in the fifth inning to drive in Mickey Hall and help the Sea Dogs rally to 7-5 victory against the Bowie Baysox at Hadlock Field.

"After the first inning, it really doesn't matter where you hit in the order," said Corsaletti, who was moved from third in the lineup to the leadoff spot for the first time this season after Bubba Bell was injured Friday.

"In the three-hole I was able to get some experience, drive runners in, and I think this was the first time without two guys in front of me. But I was keeping my approach. I kept thinking positive throughout my whole time at bat. I told myself, 'The pitcher can't beat me,' and it worked out well."

Corsaletti also drove in Hall in the seventh to complete the Sea Dogs' rally from a 5-0 deficit.

The Sea Dogs (21-14) allowed five runs on three hits and three errors in the first three innings before putting together a five-run, three-hit rally that bridged the third and fourth innings. That paved the way for Corsaletti's go-ahead at- bat in the fifth.

After the Sea Dogs scored three runs on three hits in the third, Bowie pitchers Kyle Schmidt and Ryan Keefer walked four of the first five batters in the fourth, then Keefer hit Aaron Bates with a pitch to bring in the tying run.

"We took advantage of their pitchers, no doubt about that," Sea Dogs manager Arnie Beyeler said. "The guys came in and took advantage of those walks. We got some hits and they walked a couple of runs in and it gave us a chance. We were fortunate to take advantage."

And he added, "We were very fortunate to make five errors and still win the ballgame."

An inning later, Hall reached on a two-out double down the third-base line off reliever Rommie Lewis (0-2), and Corsaletti drove in Hall to break the 5-5 tie.

"He can drive the ball and drive some runs in, so that's his game," Beyeler said of Corsaletti, who was 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a double. "Give him a pitch to hit and he'll drive the ball."

Chad Rhoades relieved starter Justin Masterson in the fifth for the Sea Dogs to earn his second win, and Hunter Jones earned his fourth save by retiring six of the final seven batters.

"They scored five in the first three innings and we just stayed positive," Corsaletti said. "We knew there was a lot of game left and we knew that we could get to their bullpen, get to their starters.

"The pitch count was getting high, so we battled away and it worked out well for us."

Notes: Outfielder Jered Stanley was called up to Portland from extended spring training. ... The Sea Dogs will don pink jerseys today at Hadlock Field, and those jerseys will be auctioned off beginning Monday on eBay, with the proceeds going to the Maine Cancer Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. ... The Sea Dogs will close a seven-game homestand today before going on the road for three three-game series at Trenton, New Britain and New Hampshire.

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