Red Sox Minor League Recap: Worcester Drops Fifth Straight

[Ben Lofy]

Boston Red Sox Farm System Snapshot

Triple-A Worcester Red Sox

Series vs. Rochester Red Wings (Washington Nationals): 0-5

Season Record: 23-25

Worcester’s skid reached five as the WooSox lost 7-5.

Michael Sansone got the start, looking to put Worcester back in the win column amid a four-game losing streak. Unfortunately for Sansone, things went downhill early. Over a five and ⅓ inning appearance, Sansone allowed four runs on four hits and a walk, allowing a two-run home run in the first. In the sixth, he turned the ball over to Eduardo Rivera who wasn’t much better. He struck out four, same as Sansone, but allowed another three runs on two hits and three walks. After one and ⅔ innings he was relieved by Noah Song. Song was excellent in his closing position. Executing two hitless innings and K’ing two. Despite a strong backend, it wasn’t enough to keep it close enough for the offense.

The offense looked better than it has as of late, totaling ten hits and drawing four walks. In 15 opportunities with runners in scoring position, the WooSox converted four times. Facing a six-run hole in the sixth, Vinny Capra drove in the WooSox first runs of the day on a single, scoring Max Ferguson and Nate Eaton. Mikey Romero added another run in the seventh, scoring Jason Delay on a sac-fly. Later in the inning, Kristian Campbell drove in Nathan Hickey with a single, adding another run. In the eight, Max Ferguson scored Matt Lloyd on a single to center field, marking the final run of the evening for Worcester. Eaton, Campbell, and Lloyd each collected multi-hit games as the offense started to look better.

Double-A Portland Sea Dogs

Series vs. Reading Fightin Phils (Philadelphia Phillies): 4-1

Season Record: 21-22

Portland’s four-game win streak came to an end as they lost 7-3.

Jedixson Paez put together one of his best outings of the season, pitching three perfect innings to start the game. He K’d four as he lowered his ERA to 4.22.  In immediate relief, Dalton Rogers nearly matched Paez. He put together a near-perfect three innings of his own, allowing a walk as he struck out three. However, it all went south for the Sea Dogs when Joe Vogatsky entered the game. Vogatsky was lit up over just ⅔ innings. He allowed five hits and six runs as Reading blew the game open. Finally in damage control, Max Carlson took the mound. He allowed another run as he struck out three to close the game. Two excellent outings from Paez and Rogers were wasted as Vogatsky let the game slip through his fingers.

Portland’s offense, including Franklin Arias, was hot despite the lopsided final score. The Sea Dogs had 12 hits, but didn’t draw a walk all game. Additionally, they struggled to drive runners in, going 1-for-7 with RISP and stranding nine runners. The only two runs came early. In the third, Nate Baez got things started with an RBI single to drive in Arias. Arias scored again in the sixth on a single from Tyler McDonough. The bats were ineffective from that point on despite lots of baserunners. Baez had three hits, while Johanfran Garcia and Arias had two apiece.

High-A Greenville Drive

Series @ Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles): 1-1

Season Record: 16-25

Greenville’s game was cancelled yet again, marking the third straight contest postponed by inclement weather. 

Low-A Salem RidgeYaks

Series @ Hill City Howlers (Cleveland Guardians): 2-3

Season Record: 19-25

Salem fell short by just one run, losing 5-4 on Saturday evening. 

Leighton Finley was excellent in his starting appearance. He notched five frames of work, allowing three hits and striking out six opponents. He lowered his ERA to 3.41. Harry Blum couldn’t keep the positive momentum rolling, however. He faltered in his two-inning appearance, allowing four runs (one unearned) on just two hits and three walks. Blum got Saturday’s loss, and Adam Bates got a blown save for his final inning of work. Blum allowed an additional run on two hits and two walks. His ERA rose to a sky-high 10.07 as he continued to struggle to turn his season around. 

The offense fell just short on Saturday as 17 of the 32 at-bats resulted in a strikeout for Salem. After a six-inning pitching duel, Kleyver Salazar broke the game open with a one-run double to score Starlyn Nunez. After advancing to third on Salazar’s double, Andrews Opata scurried home on a wild pitch to give Salem a two-run advantage. After allowing five unanswered runs, Enddy Azocar came to the plate with two on in the ninth. Looking to shorten the lead, the right-handed Azocar drove in two on an opposite field triple. However, the RidgeYaks failed to capitalize on the prime opportunity to tie the game.

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