As the ball headed up the middle toward center field, Portland Sea Dogs second baseman Tony Schrager made a diving backhand grab and flipped to shortstop Jim Goelz.

Goelz barehanded the toss, leaped over the sliding runner and threw to first to complete a double play that would have made Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker proud.

Not too bad for two guys who started the season with different organizations and had played together only once.

But that’s how things have gone for the Sea Dogs, who have held first place in Eastern League’s Northern Division since May 10 despite a number of injuries and call-ups.

Lose your leadoff hitter?

No problem.

Just plug in Trace Coquillette, who was hitting .172 at the time.

Coquillette proceeded to go 10-for-23 in that role and earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Need a clean-up hitter in a pinch?

Try Kevin Haverbusch.

Haverbusch raised his average 60 points to .301 in the eight days after debuting in the No. 4 spot before being sidelined himself with a strained hamstring.

Which brings us back to Schrager and Goelz, who are in Portland only because the Sea Dogs lost middle infielders Carlos Leon, Nelson Castro and Raul Nieves for lengthy times to injuries.

“We’ve done a good job of signing quality people,” said Sea Dogs manager Ron Johnson. “They all seem to be blending in and mixing with the existing guys. Chemistry will either make your team good or bad.”

Schrager and Haverbusch were acquired by the Red Sox from the Cubs and Pirates, respectively, for players to be named later.

Goelz was signed after being released by the Indians in April and joined the Sea Dogs on Wednesday. Coquillette was sitting at home in mid-April after being cut late in spring training when the Red Sox called.

“You keep a list of guys who might be available,” said Red Sox farm director Ben Cherington. “You want guys who have had some success and can come in and play at this level.”

All of the acquisitions have contributed at one time or another, which has been key for a team that also lost the middle of its line-up (Justin Headley and Andy Dominique) to Triple-A call-ups.

“No question, we lost some talent,” said Johnson. “But when a guy leaves or gets hurt, we have an interchangeable part.”

Not on schedule

The Eastern League schedule usually comes under some fire and this season’s version is no exception.

The problem this time around is with division rivals playing each other in too short of a time span.

The Sea Dogs had four series against Trenton in the first eight weeks of the season.

The teams don’t meet again until the last week of July.

Norwich, meanwhile, will be making its first appearance at Hadlock Field Monday night.

The Sea Dogs and Navigators also face each other 11 times over a 15-game stretch in July.

Also, Norwich and Akron finish out the season with seven games out of their divisions.

“The problem with the schedule is that it’s been decided all teams should have the same number of weekend dates,” said Sea Dogs general manager Charlie Eshbach. “It’s a good thought, but it’s not very realistic.”

An early draft of next year’s schedule has the Sea Dogs opening in Altoona, which makes little sense since it would be Portland’s only visit and postponements are more likely.

All in the family

The Red Sox didn’t stray too far from home for some of their picks in the draft.

Not only did Boston choose Johnson’s son Chris in the 37th round, it also selected pitching coach Tony Cloninger’s grandson Erich in the 35th round and first base coach Dallas Williams’ son Dallas Jr. in the 42nd round.

Two of the Red Sox picks, outfielders David Murphy (1st round, 17th overall) and Chris Durbin (10th round) play at the alma mater of Sea Dogs’ catcher Kelly Shoppach, Baylor University.

“It’s a good program at Baylor,” said Shoppach, who played two seasons with Durbin and one with Murphy. “You see it year in and year out. Guys come out of that program better than they were when they went in.”

Fight night

The Red Sox low-Class A team in Augusta (Ga.) was involved in a wild brawl on Thursday night in Asheville (N.C.).

Twelve players were ejected in the fight, which saw Boston’s top prospect, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, suffered a shoulder injury.

The brawl started after a number of players were hit by pitches, including Augusta’s Addison Bowman, who charged the mound in the eighth inning of the GreenJackets’ 11-3 loss.

Around the minor leagues

Pawtucket lost one of its top players when slugger Julio Zuleta signed with the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League this past week. Zuleta had an out-clause in his contract with the Red Sox. The departure means Headley likely will stick in Pawtucket…Akron’s Rafael Betancourt recorded his 11th straight save in the Aeros’ win over Trenton on Thursday. Betancourt, a former Red Sox farmhand, led the Eastern League with 12 saves heading into the weekend.

Bill Foley is assistant sports editor. He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected]