By Laura Soukkavong –
PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Sea Dogs will look to continue their hottest stretch of the season Saturday afternoon when they host the Reading Fightin Phils in the fifth game of a six-game Eastern League series at Delta Dental Park at Hadlock Field.
Portland enters the matchup at 21-21 overall and riding a season-best four-game winning streak after opening the series with four consecutive victories over Reading. The Sea Dogs have climbed from fifth place to third in the Northeast Division and now sit just one game behind Hartford for second place and 2.5 games behind division-leading New Hampshire.
Right-hander Jedixson Paez is scheduled to start for Portland against Reading left-hander Adam Seminaris. Paez, who was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft before returning to the Red Sox organization this season, will make his third start and fifth appearance of the year for Portland.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan owns a 1-1 record with a 5.87 ERA across 7.2 innings this season. Paez is coming off his longest outing of the year after throwing three innings against New Hampshire on May 10.
Portland’s pitching staff has dominated throughout the series. The Sea Dogs carry a 1.00 ERA against Reading this week and set a franchise record Thursday with 20 strikeouts in a nine-inning game. Blake Wehunt struck out 11 batters over five innings, Patrick Halligan added six strikeouts in two innings, and Cooper Adams closed the win with three strikeouts.
Halligan was recently named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week after a dominant stretch that included four perfect innings against Hartford on May 16.
At the plate, top Red Sox prospect Franklin Arias continues to lead the charge for Portland. Arias enters Saturday batting .341 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs after blasting the first multi-homer game of his professional career in Friday’s 2-1 victory over Reading.
Brooks Brannon has also provided major offensive production, batting .300 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs. The catcher was named Eastern League Player of the Week earlier this month after hitting .600 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in a four-game stretch against New Hampshire.
Portland’s power numbers have been among the best in the league this season. The Sea Dogs’ 53 home runs rank third in the Eastern League, and 44 percent of the club’s runs have come via the long ball.
Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Delta Dental Park at Hadlock Field. The game will stream on MLB.TV and Bally Sports Live, with radio coverage available on the WPEI Sea Dogs Radio Network.