Red Sox Minor League Report: Four RBIs from Ronald Rosario Lead Portland to Bounce-Back Win

[Ben Lofy]

Happy draft day, all! Before we add a bunch of new members to the farm system, let's recap Friday night's action.

Triple-A Worcester Red Sox

Series vs. Rochester Red Wings (Washington Nationals): 3-1

Season Record: 44-43

Worcester fell 10-4 on a rough day for the pitching staff.

Raymond Burgos had amassed a 1-4 record entering his start on Friday night against Rochester. After he exited in the fifth inning, his record fell to a weak 1-5. Across his start, Burgos allowed four runs on seven hits as he struggled to stop the Red Wings’ offense. He K’d just one and walked another before being pulled. Caleb Bolden, who was called back up to Worcester after a one-game stint last week, made a two-frame appearance in relief. Bolden struggled mightily as his Triple-A ERA rose to 13.50. He allowed four more runs on four hits as the game began to slip away from the WooSox. Bolden struck out four before Wyatt Olds took over in the eighth. Olds struggled, allowing two more runs on four hits. He struck out five of the nine batters he faced before first baseman Nathan Hickey finished off Friday’s contest with a one-out appearance.

The WooSox struggled on both sides of the ball, going a measly 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and failing to capitalize at key junctures. Tyler McDonough and Andrew Knizner had two hits apiece as Mickey Gasper drew three walks in five at bats. Although the lopsided final score didn’t show it, the WooSox grabbed the lead first. Braiden Ward crossed home on a wild pitch by former Red Sox prospect Luis Perales in the first inning. The lead was short-lived, however, and the next WooSox run came as they were down two runs. In the third, Allan Castro stole second, advancing to third on a throwing error as Gasper stole home, cutting the deficit to one. The WooSox wouldn’t strike again until the ninth inning, when Tyler McDonough launched a two-run homer to right field, scoring Hickey.

Double-A Portland Sea Dogs

Series @ New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays): 2-2

Season Record: 45-39

Portland rebounded after a seven-run loss on Thursday, winning 7-5 behind four RBIs from Ronald Rosario.

John Holobetz set the tone on the pitching side for Portland, turning in another quality start. Across five frames on Friday, Holobetz allowed four runs on five hits. While it was the most runs he’s allowed in his past three starts, it was still a successful night as Holobetz struck out six. Jeremy Wu-Yelland took the mound for the next 2⅔ innings and earned the win for his performance. He struck out two and allowed one run on two hits. Patrick Halligan took the final 1⅓ frames of Friday’s contest, shutting out New Hampshire with a perfect outing. He earned the save as he struck out two. 

Rosario was on fire on Friday as he contributed the bulk of Portland’s offense. Will Turner got the scoring started for Portland in the third inning, launching his tenth homer of the season. In the fourth, Rosario struck for the first time. With Brooks Brannon aboard and down by two runs, Rosario tied the game with one swing. His fifth homer of the year sailed past the wall in left center as the Sea Dogs evened the score. In the fifth, Brooks Brannon struck as well. His fourteenth homer of the season scored Jack Winnay and nabbed the lead for Portland. With the ballgame tied in the eighth, Rosario put the Sea Dogs ahead once and for all. He hit his second homer of the night to right center, scoring Winnay and leading Portland to victory. 

High-A Greenville Drive

Series @ Greensboro Grasshoppers: 2-2

Season Record: 34-48

Greenville won behind late offense even after a near collapse from the bullpen. 

Marcus Philips was electric in one of his best starts of the season. Across 4⅔ frames, Philips allowed one run on two hits, his second start in a row allowing one run. He struck out six before turning the ball over to P.J. Sprague. Sprague earned the win for his 2⅓ innings of relief. He allowed two runs on two hits, striking out one but displaying excellent command as he didn’t allow a walk. Matt McShane took the next 1⅔, innings turning in a poor performance. He allowed four runs on three hits before Tyler Davis took the final out. He allowed one more run on a solo homer, but escaped with the save as Greenville won by a slim margin. 

Justin Gonzales extended his hit streak to six games as he hit his twelfth homer of the season. Mason White was a major contributor on Friday, recording three RBIs on two hits. Ronny Hernandez drove in White in the second inning to put the Drive on the board. Four innings later, Gonzales put the Drive ahead with his solo homer before White drove in Isaiah Jackson to add to the lead. With the game tied in the eighth inning, Gerardo Rodriguez drove in Gonzales with an RBI double to center field. Luke Heyman tacked on another run, scoring Rodriguez on an RBI single. Ahead by two, White wasn’t done. He drove in two more runs on a homer to right center field, driving in Heyman. One inning later, Rodriguez added another run on a solo homer before Heyman matched him with a solo shot of his own. Owners of a six-run lead, the Drive clung to a win despite a five-run showing in the bottom of the ninth from Greensboro. 

Low-A Salem RidgeYaks

Series @ Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals): 3-1

Season Record: 35-49

Andrews Opata’s three-RBI night and a solid showing from the bullpen helped lead Salem to a slim 9-8 win. 

Christian Foutch started the game for Salem, but didn’t last long before being pulled. In just 2⅓ innings, Foutch allowed five runs on four hits as he walked four. He struck out three before being replaced by Yermain Ruiz in the third inning. Ruiz earned the win for his bulk relief appearance. Ruiz lasted four frames, allowing two runs on four hits as he struck out eight batters. Devin Gartrell took the final 2⅔ innings, silencing Columbia’s offense and sealing the win for Salem. Gartrell allowed one unearned run on two hits as he struck out four. 

Starlyn Nunez and Opata got Salem off to a hot start back-to-back home runs in the first inning. After falling behind by three runs in the fourth, Givian Sirvania put the Yaks back in the game with a two-run shot, scoring Andruw Musett and cutting the deficit to one. One inning later, Avinson Pinto drove in Louis Andujar on an RBI single to tie the game. Musett then scored Pinto as Salem drew ahead. To tack on one more, Justin Barry hit an RBI single of his own as the lead grew to two runs. Salem wasn’t quite done, however. Opata put an exclamation mark on the five-run inning with a line drive single to center, scoring both Barry and Sirvania. Salem held onto a close win as they won their third game in the last four.

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