July 11, 2005 at 1:41 AM
Cup of Coffee
The Futures Game was played today in Detroit. Representing the Red Sox were Portland SS Hanley Ramirez and SP Anibal Sanchez. The Portland SS looked good at the plate going 1-for-1 with a single, and also laying down a nice sac bunt. Sanchez didn't have very impressive numbers, but he threw some good pitches, his problem was control and consistency. Now let's take a look at how the Sox farm system faired today.
Pawtucket beat Syracuse 4-0, the highlight of this game was the tremendous pitching. Lenny DiNardo got the win going 5 innings, striking out 6, and only allowing 2 hits. In relief came the newly promoted Boston native Manny Delcarmen who pitched 2 excellent innings striking out 4 and letting only two runners reach base with no runs scored. The next inning was thrown by Curt Schilling who looked good pitching for the first time in back-to-back nights, he allowed one hit in one inning walking none. Cla Meredith pitched the ninth putting up identical numbers to Schilling. After the game Schilling immediately boarded a bus for Boston. Moving on to AA where Portland, without two of their best players, lost 0-4. David Murphy and Kenny Perez got the only two hits of the night, both were singles. 27 year-old Conor Brooks threw 2 1/3 perfect innings out of the pen. The Blue Rocks lost 5-6 to the Myrtle Beach. Brant Ust hit another home run! And was 3-for-4 on the game. Barry Hertzler took the loss pitching 3 innings and allowing two unearned runs. Greenville won 5-2 on the road, Chris Turner was 2-for-5 with a double. Mike Rozier got the win to improve his record to 5-4, and Mike James earned the save. Finally in Lowell the Spinners were defeated 4-8 by the Auburn Doubledays. Matt Mercurio had a good game going 2-for-4 with a triple, a run scored, and 2 RBIs, but he was picked off and committed a fielding error. As a side note the Gulf Coast League gets Sundays off.
Player of the Night: Manny Delcarmen who for the second time in as many tries dominated AAA hitters.