July 12, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Large, Miller, Fife receive promotions
After being named and Eastern League All-Star and posting a 1.08 ERA in 41.2 innings to start the season, Portland closer T.J. Large has earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket, this according to Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald. The 26-year-old righthander put up a 3-0 record with 8 saves for the Sea Dogs, striking out 34, walking 14 and holding opposing hitters to a .207 batting average. A forty-sixth-round draft choice by the Red Sox in 2005, Large owns a career record of 14-12 with 42 saves and a 3.30 ERA in 254 innings pitched, piling up 247 strikeouts over his four plus seasons in the organization.Replacing Large on the Portland roster will be Ryne Miller, who had pitched to an 8-2 record out of the Salem bullpen. In 55.1 innings, the 23-year-old Miller had posted a 2.77 ERA, striking out 59 while limiting opposing hitters to just 18 walks on the season. He, in turn, will be replaced on the Salem roster by starter Stephen Fife, the 2008 third-round draft pick who despite his 0-3 record had pitched well for the Greenville Drive in 2009. In 8 starts covering 36.2 innings, Fife had 2.70 ERA, striking out 35 and walking only 4 as South Atlantic League hitters batted just .230 against him. To make the Greenville roster whole again, starter Stolmy Pimentel was activated from the 7-day disabled list and made the start yesterday for the Drive, pitching 6 strong innings to earn the victory.