Devern Hansack gets big-league callup

PORTLAND, Maine -- The Boston Red Sox today officially called up Sea Dogs' right-handed pitcher Devern Hansack to the big leagues. Hansack was notified of the callup moments after tossing eight solid innings in Game 5 of the Eastern League Championship Series. Hansack earned the win and the Sea Dogs won their first ever Eastern League Championship. Hansack will wear No. 68 for Boston and will be making his Major League debut.

Hansack, 28, appeared in 31 regular season games (18 starts) for the Sea Dogs, posting an 8-7 record with one save. His 3.26 ERA ranked sixth in the Eastern League. He struck out a team high 124 batters in 132 1/3 innings pitched and was voted by the Portland fans as the Sea Dogs Pitcher of the Year. In his final regular season game, on Aug. 31 versus Binghamton, he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing one hit with a season high 12 strikeouts.

In the postseason, Hansack started three games, notching a 2-1 record with a 2.11 ERA. He struck out 17 batters and walked three in 21 1/3 innings pitched. In the fifth and deciding game of the Eastern League Championship Series on Sunday afternoon, Hansack tossed eight innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and no walks, to earn the win for the Sea Dogs.

Hansack was signed by the Red Sox as a Minor League free agent in December 2005 after playing winter ball in his native Nicaragua, where he posted a league-leading 89 strikeouts. Hansack was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by Houston in 1999.

The Sea Dogs will begin defense of their 2006 Eastern League Championship on Thursday, April 5, 2007 against the Connecticut Defenders (Giants) at Hadlock Field. Tickets for the 2007 season will go on sale on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. the Hadlock Field box office.