After trades, Reddick, McBeth temporarily get the call

In the in wake of this afternoon's trades, the Red Sox have temporarily called up outfielder Josh Reddick from Portland and reliever Marcus McBeth from Pawtucket. Diasuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 60-day disabled list and Pawtucket's Travis Denker was designated for assignment in a pair of concurrent moves. Reddick, currently the second ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com, is hitting .277/.352/.520 with 13 home runs, 17 doubles and 3 triples in 256 at-bats over 63 games with Portland in 2009. McBeth owns a 2-0 record and has recorded 3 saves in 34 appearances (1 start), allowing 13 earned runs of 31 hits over 51.1 innings pitched for a 2.28 ERA with Pawtucket in 2009.

Red Sox acquire Victor Martinez from Cleveland

While some teams make a splash at the non-waiver trade deadline, the Red Sox just did a cannonball. DJ Bean of WEEI.com, citing multiple media reports, has confirmed that Boston has acquired slugging catcher Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for pitchers Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price. The 30-year-old Martinez is hitting .284/.368/.464 with 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 67 RBI in 377 at-bats so far this season, playing 52 games as a catcher, 47 at first base, and serving as the Tribe DH on 3 occasions. He is currently in the fifth season of a five-year, $15.5 million contract with a team option for 2010 that would pay him $7 million. Just a season removed from hitting a disappointing .278/.337/.365 with just 2 home runs, Martinez, a three-time American League All-Star, owns career .297/.369/.463 numbers with 103 home runs and 518 RBI in parts of 8 major league seasons with Cleveland. The Venezuelan switch-hitter was originally signed by the Indians as an international free agent in 1996.

Masterson, a second-round draft choice by the Red Sox in 2006, is currently pitching out of the Boston bullpen. The 24-year-old righthander is 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 31 appearances for Boston, including 6 starts. Nick Hagadone was chosen by the Red Sox in the first supplemental round of the 2007 draft and had been plying his trade in the starting rotation for the Greenville. Just a year removed from Tommy John surgery, the 23-year-old lefthander was 0-2 with a 2.52 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 25 innings for the Drive. A 22-year-old native of Texas, Bryan Price was selected by Boston in the first round of the 2008 draft and had made 19 starts between Greenville and Salem this season. He was a combined 4-8 with a 4.67 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 96.1 innings.

Report: Sox acquire Kotchman for LaRoche

According to Tom Caron on NESN, the Red Sox have acquired Casey Kotchman from Atlanta for Adam LaRoche. As Kotchman strictly plays first base -- and the apparent point of unloading LaRoche would be to free up playing time at first base for Victor Martinez -- one might think that this could be a precursor to another deal, and that Boston might not be Kotchman's final landing place. Stay tuned.

Sox to trade for Indians' Martinez

According to multiple reports, the Red Sox are on the verge of acquiring catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez from Cleveland. The Indians will reportedly receive Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price. Stay tuned, more information is to come.

Sox sign Alex Hassan

The Red Sox today signed 2009 twentieth-round draft pick Alex Hassan and will assign him to the Lowell Spinners. The Milton, Massachusetts native was a two-way player for Duke this past season, both pitching and playing outfield. While Boston drafted Hassan as a pitcher, he will apparently get the opportunity to play some outfield in the Sox system this season. On the mound for the Blue Devils in 2009, Hassan appeared in 16 games and put up a 2-2 record with 8 saves and a 4.10 ERA, striking out 34 in 26.1 innings pitched. The tall righthander mixes in an 88-91 mph fastball, a low-70s curveball, and a change-up with a smooth delivery. The Sox followed Hassan this summer in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he played for the Orleans Cardinals and appeared in the league's All Star game at Fenway on July 23. He sported a 1.13 ERA in 7 appearances for Orleans, including 4 saves and 8 strikeouts in 8.0 innings, and also put up a .289/.344/.395 line before leaving the Cape earlier this week to sign with the Sox . He leaves Duke tied as the school's all-time saves leader.

Q&A with Stephen Fife

The Red Sox drafted Stephen Fife out of Utah in the third round of the 2008 draft. Fife was a middle reliever to start his career at Utah but moved into the starting rotation for the 2008 season. As a starter, Fife developed a reputation as a work horse and gained a lot of draft momentum late in the summer. He came down with some weakness in his throwing shoulder to start the 2009 season and was held out of game action to start the year, but upon returning, he had a very successful stint with Greenville before moving up to Salem where continues to excel. Aaron Schwam of SoxProspects.com recently caught up with Fife to ask him a couple questions.

Aaron Schwam: What was your draft-day experience like?
Stephen Fife: I went home from college at Utah and spent draft day with family and my closest friends. We all got together at a local sports pub and watched the first round on ESPN and the rest via the internet on a big screen TV. I wasn’t sure where I would fall in the draft, but I thought I would go on the first day. We waited for names to pop up, and just before my name was announced my phone blew up with texts from my coaches at Utah and a few others. I reached for my phone and as I did, my name was anounced in the resturant and everyone went nuts. It was a day I will never forget. There were plenty of emotions from laughter to tears. It was a great day.

AS: Were you surprised when you were picked by the Red Sox?

SF: No, I was not surprised the Red Sox drafted me. (Red Sox Utah area scout) Matt Mahoney was my scout and he called me the day before the draft and we talked seriously about (the Red Sox selecting me in) the draft. When the third round started, I had a feeling that it was about my time and thought I would be selected by the Red Sox or the White Sox with the eighth or ninth picks in the round. I was ecstatic about being drafted by the defending World Champions and the Red Sox organization.

AS: What are your developmental goals for this season? Have you set any for yourself or have the Red Sox laid out any for you?

SF: I want to prove that I am a true 3-4 pitch starting pitcher. I worked really hard this off-season getting strong and working on my pitches, especially my change-up. The Red Sox want to see me improve my change-up and become precise with my curveball before I throw my slider. I am still working on those goals, and feel like I might be able to introduce the slider by the end of this season. My goals are the same as the organization's goals for me. I just want to develop by doing what they ask of me and I want to win. I think if I keep working on reaching their goals, promotions and success will come.

AS: How would you describe each pitch and how you use them?
SF: Yeah, as I was saying, they want me to throw three quality pitches and have command of those: a fastball (mostly a two-seam fastball with good sink), a curveball, and a change-up. I usually only throw my four-seam fastball off the plate to the glove side and when I want to elevate out of the zone. In a normal start, I use all three pitches and I have been pleased with my progression this season, especially with my change-up.

AS: Which pitch do you feel is your best? How do you go about sharpening the pitches you need to work on?
SF: Everything I do on the mound is based off my fastball and I feel that it is my best pitch, although my curveball and change-up have been great this year. I have been surprised with the success I have had with my change-up. I feel that I have developed a second strikeout pitch to go along with my curveball. I work on my fastball and change-up everyday while playing catch and doing flat-ground work. I throw my change-up from 90 feet with a crow hop after throwing my fastball from 90-120 feet. It helps me keep my arm speed up and find a feel with my front side. In side sessions, I just try to find a rhythm and pitch. Different days force you to make adjustments, so it's just a matter of recognizing the result you are getting with each pitch and making minor adjustments without over-analyzing. It can be difficult, but it comes down to me trusting myself to do what I know I can do.

AS: What kind of MLB pitcher do you see yourself becoming and why?
SF: I see myself as a starter. I like the five-day routine and feel that I have the mental and physical ability to get through a line-up multiple times in a game. I have heard from scouts and analysts that I could become a number three or four starter. That's what I strive to become, but I have also heard people project me as a closer because I have a good curveball. Only time will tell, but I see myself starting for a long time.

AS: What has been the easiest/hardest part about transitioning to pro life in the minors?
SF: The hardest has been adjusting to throwing everyday. In college, we had a couple days off and more days of rest. Getting into a strict five-day routine has been the biggest adjustment for me. The easiest part has been enjoying what I do. I love this game and enjoy everything about the Red Sox organization. My teammates and coaches, as well as the front office staff, have been awesome and made my experience great. The easiest thing to do for me is come to the park everyday and enjoy it.

AS: Has any member of the organization made a positive impression on you and helped you get better?
SF: Coach (Gary) DiSarcina and (Tom) Goodwin in Lowell have been great. We have talked a lot and I have learned countless things about this game from them. Bob Kipper in Greenville was a tremendous help to me as a pitcher. I try to listen to anyone who has done what I am doing and to take something from them that I can use at some point in my career.

AS: Who is Stephen Fife? What do you like to do off the field?
SF: I am just a hard-working kid from Boise, Idaho, who has been given a gift and is trying to make the most of it. I love this game and am very driven to get to the highest level. I am very competitive, but I enjoy having a good time with teammates and friends. Off the field I like to fish and golf and spend time with my buddies and family. I love the outdoors and don’t like to sit idle too often.

AS: Bonus question: We've noticed you like to sport glasses on the mound. Is there any particular reason or story there?
SF: I don’t have great vision due to astigmatism. I never had good luck with contacts and don’t mind wearing the glasses. I see 20/12 with them and that makes me want to keep them around. It’s nothing crazy, I just find them more comfortable and better than contacts.

Bowden tosses gem in losing effort

A strong start from Michael Bowden and 10 hits from the offense were not enough for Pawtucket, which fell to Buffalo 4-1. Bowden went the first 7.0 innings giving up only 1 run on 6 hits. He struck out 6 and did not walk a batter. Hunter Jones (2-3) did not fare as well, as he went the final inning giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk to take the loss, although he did strike out 2. The top three hitters in the Pawtucket order, Brian Anderson, Travis Denker, and Chris Carter, each went 2 for 4, with Anderson netting 2 doubles and Carter collecting the Red Sox' lone RBI.

In an even less impressive offensive performance, Portland managed just 3 hits and fell to Reading by a score of 2-0. Ryne Lawson (2-9) started for the Sea Dogs and allowed both Phillies runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 5.0 innings, striking out 2. Tommy Hottovy relieved him and fired 2.0 perfect innings, striking out 3. Chad Rhoades finished things off with a scoreless inning of his own. Josh Reddick and Reid Engel each doubled for Portland, and Jorge Jimenez chipped in a single to account for all the offense the Sea Dogs could muster.

Despite jumping out to an early lead and banging out 12 hits, Salem dropped a close one to Wilmington, 4-3. The first 5.0 innings of the night belonged to Kyle Weiland, who allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3. Armando Zerpa (0-2) followed him to the hill and allowed 2 runs of his own on 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3 but taking the loss. Jose Capellan pitched a perfect inning to close things out, striking out 1. Kris Negron led the Red Sox offense with 3 hits in 5 at-bats. Zach Borowiak, Chih-Hsien Chiang, and Daniel Nava each had 2 hits, including a double and an RBI, while Mike Jones went 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI.

Greenville also got the lead early, but a 6-run Augusta seventh did the Drive in en route to a 7-3 loss. Continuing his fine season following his return from surgery, Nick Hagadone went the first 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings giving up 3 walks and striking out 2. Mike Lee (3-4) went the next 3.0 innings without giving up a run but ran into trouble in the seventh, when he was touched for 6 runs, giving up 5 hits to take the loss. He struck out 4 in all over 3.1 innings of work. Chad Povich pitched the final 1.2 innings and gave up a run of his own on 4 hits. Will Middlebrooks had another hot night at the dish, going 3 for 4 with a run scored. Casey Kelly also collected multiple hits, going 2 for 4 with a run scored as the Drive DH.

Determined not to allow Sox affiliates to go winless on the night, Lowell once again downed Tri-City by a score of 8-4. Alex Wilson pitched 3.0 perfect innings to start the night, striking out 1. Tom Ebert wasn't quite as successful, giving up 3 earned runs on 2 hits and a walk in his 2.0 innings. Charle Rosario (1-1) was on the mound when Lowell took the lead, tossing 2.0 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 2 to earn the win. Michael Bugary struck out the side in a scoreless eighth, and Dennis Neuman struck out 2 in a scoreless ninth to preserve the win. With 3 hits, including a double, a triple, and 2 RBI, in 5 at-bats, Shannon Wilkerson led the Spinners offense. Derrick Gibson also went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs, while Ronald Bermudez went 3 for 4. Drew Hedman went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI.

Player of the Night: Michael Bowden, who pitched 7.0 innings allowing only 1 run and striking out 6.

Garrison goes seven strong in Salem setback

The offense was once again disappointing as Pawtucket was blanked by Buffalo, 3-0. Enrique Gonzalez (7-9) went the first 6.1, giving up 3 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, recording 1 strikeout while taking the loss. Javier Lopez got the next out, but not before giving up a hit and a walk. Randor Bierd bailed him out, closing out the seventh and pitching the eighth as well without giving up a run. He allowed 1 hit, walked 1 and struck out 1. Jeff Natale paced the Red Sox attack by going 2 for 3 with a double. Aaron Bates, Angel Chavez, and Gil Velazquez each went 1 for 3.

Despite a valiant comeback attempt in the ninth, Portland fell to Reading 6-5. The Sea Dogs start went to Jarod Plummer, who went 5.0 innings giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and a walk, striking out 2. Ryne Miller (0-1) relieved him but took the loss, going 2.0 innings and allowing a solo home run to Reading first baseman Brian Stavisky, his second of the game. Bryce Cox went the final frame giving up 2 runs on 2 hits. Trailing by 3 runs going into the top of the ninth, Portland got within 1 on a 2-run home run by Jon Still (2 for 5), but couldn't quite complete the comeback. Jorge Jimenez also had a good game at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, and an RBI.

Even with a stellar start by Seth Garrison, Salem fell to Frederick 1-0. Garrison tossed 7.0 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7, departing with the score tied 0-0. Kyle Fernandes (4-1) relieved him and allowed the game-winning run on 2 hits and 2 walks to take the loss. Salem managed only 4 hits in the game, with no player netting more than 1.

The Drive scored 5 runs in the final 3 innings to defeat Lakewood by a score of 6-5. Caleb Clay got the starting nod and went the first 5.0 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits and 1 walk, striking out 4. Felix Ventura (2-4) pitched the final 4.0 innings giving up just 1 earned run on 2 hits, striking out 4 to earn the win. Zach Gentile led the Greenville offense with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, driving in 1 and scoring a run. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 4 with a double, a home run, and 2 runs scored, while Jered Stanley went 2 for 2 with 2 walks and an RBI. Kade Keowen also had 2 hits, going 2 for 3 with a double, and although Will Middlebrooks only had 1 hit in 4 at-bats, that hit was a go-ahead 2-run double in the bottom of the eighth.

Good pitching and a balanced attack helped Lowell to an 8-2 drubbing of Tri-City. Ryan Pressly went the first 4.2 innings giving up a run on 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 7. Richie Lentz (2-0) bailed him out of the fifth and went 1.1 perfect innings in all, striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced to earn the win. Pedro Perez pitched the final 3.0 frames, giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 3. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 3 with a double, 2 walks, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, while Chris McGuiness went 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI of his own. Joantoni Garcia collected 2 doubles in 4 at-bats and scored 2 runs.

Player of the Night: Seth Garrison, who pitched 7.0 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7 in a losing effort for Salem.

Middlebrooks goes deep twice in Drive victory

It was some good, some bad for Sox affiliates in Tuesday's action. In the Triple-A debut of Junichi Tazawa (0-1), Pawtucket fell to Buffalo 2-1. Tazawa went 6.0 strong innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, but still took the loss. He struck out 3 and did not walk a batter. Marcus McBeth went the rest of the way, firing 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings including a walk and 2 strikeouts. The only multi-hit game for Pawtucket belonged to Chris Carter, who went 2 for 4, while Chris Duncan went 1 for 4 with a run scored. Bubba Bell's RBI ground out in the seventh plated the only run for the Red Sox.

In Eastern League action, Portland annihilated Reading by a score of 12-1. Blake Maxwell (3-6) started and picked up the win with 5.0 innings of 1-run ball. Maxwell yielded only 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5 Phillies. Dustin Richardson was next to the bump, firing 2.0 scoreless innings of his own, allowing 1 hit and 1 walk with 3 strikeouts. Andrew Dobies and Chad Rhoades each tossed a scoreless frame to close things out. The Sea Dogs pounded out 15 hits, led by a 3-for-3 performance by Josh Reddick which included a double, and RBI, and 2 runs scored. Ryan Kalish and Jon Still each went 3 for 6 with a double and 3 RBI, while Juan Apodaca went 2 for 3 with a double, 2 walks and 3 runs scored. Ryan Khoury also had a multi-hit game, going 2 for 4 with an RBI.

In a tightly fought contest, Salem lost a tough one to Frederick, 3-2. Stephen Fife went the first 6.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, striking out 5. Jason Rice kept the game tight with 2.0 scoreless innings, but Dave McKae (1-4) gave it up in the bottom of the ninth, allowing a run on 3 hits in 0.2 innings to take the loss. Luis Exposito went 2 for 3 with a walk, while Luis Segovia went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored on a sacrifice fly by Che-Hsuan Lin (0 for 3) in the fifth. David Mailman drove in the other run for Salem with a ground out in the sixth.

Greenville broke out the lumber to the tune of 12 hits, easily dispatching Lakewood 8-1. Getting the start and picking up the win was Brock Huntzinger (6-8), who went the first 5.0 innings allowing only 1 unearned run on 4 hits with 8 strikeouts. Mitch Herold went the next 3.0 innings giving up 4 hits and a walk but no runs, and Jason Blackey tossed a scoreless ninth to end the game. Eight Drive hitters had at least 1 hit in the game, led by Will Middlebrooks, who went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI of his own, while Zach Gentile went 3 for 4 with a run scored. Jered Stanley went 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, and 2 RBI.

The Spinners couldn't keep the good times rolling, dropping a 9-3 decision to Tri-City. Kason Gabbard (0-1) got the start, got roughed up, and took the loss, giving up 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 4.1 with 2 strikeouts. Kyle Rutter finished off the fifth with 0.2 scoreless innings, but not before giving up 2 walks. Cesar Cabral went the final 3.0 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks, recording 1 strikeout as well. Lowell did manage 8 hits in the game, including a 3 for Chris McGuiness, 2 of them doubles. Wilfred Pichardo had a double and a triple of his own in 4 at-bats and scored a run, while Ryan Westmoreland and Derrick Gibson each went 1 for 5 with an RBI.

Player of the Night: Will Middlebrooks, who went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs to help lead the Drive to victory.

Q&A with Alex Wilson

The Red Sox drafted Alex Wilson in the second round of this season’s draft out of Texas A&M. Wilson first pitched two seasons with Winthrop before transferring to Texas A&M, but underwent Tommy John Surgery and missed all of the 2008 season. Back on the mound in 2009, Wilson began the season in the starting rotation but moved into the bullpen to finish off the year. Making his professional debut with Lowell this summer, Wilson has been working in the Spinners’ starting rotation and having good success. Recently, Chris Mellen of SoxProspects.com had a chance to catch up with Alex prior to a game in Lowell.

Chris Mellen: First off, welcome to the organization and congratulations. What was that draft-day experience like for you?
Alex Wilson: Long! It was one of those days that I had been waiting for a full year now after being drafted last year and not having it work out with the Chicago Cubs. (tenth round pick in 2008, but did not sign) After that, I kind of put my head down and decided to grind it out to have the best year I could. I worked as hard as I could everyday and it worked out.

CM: Talk about this past season at Texas A&M. It was kind of a tale of two seasons as you went from the rotation to the bullpen. What was going on there?
AW: I started the first eight games of the year and had some success early on. Towards the end of the year I moved into the ‘pen. It wasn’t because my arm was tired or anything like that- it was a better fit for me and the team at the time for me to move into the ‘pen. We had been having trouble holding leads in the middle and towards the end of the game, and they asked me if I would be okay moving into that role as it would be the best fit. I was okay with the move. I like to win. That is what I have always been about. Moving into the ‘pen was a new experience for me, but one that worked out well and we were able to have some success with it.

CM: Obviously the Red Sox scouted you a lot prior to drafting you. How much contact did you have with them leading up to the draft? And when they called your number were you expecting it?
AW: Actually, the year before I had come up to Fenway for a private workout the day prior to the draft (in 2008), so I got to meet everyone then and get a feel for who was behind the scenes. This year, I filled out some paperwork for them, and talked a lot to Jimmy Robinson (Red Sox Amateur Scout) several times leading up to everything. About two weeks before the draft I had a pretty good idea of where I was going to go, but to who was still up in the air. The night of the draft I got a call from Jimmy Robinson about ten minutes before they drafted me. It was kind of funny because I kind of thought I was going to go to Cincinnati a few picks after the Red Sox with the way things were going that night, so it was unexpected and a real nice surprise.

CM: After everything going down and the Red Sox being the team to pick you, how tough of a decision was it to sign?
AW: I knew from the onset that if this is what I wanted to do and to make a career of it that this was the year for me to go. I told them I wasn’t going to be a problem if they drafted me early enough and that I wanted to get out there to play, and get my career going towards the big leagues.

CM: Tell us a bit about your repertoire.
AW: I’m primarily a fastball and slider pitcher. My slider is definitely my out-pitch, but I like to challenge hitters with my fastball too. I feel like I can locate my fastball well by going to either side of the plate to set hitters up. My change-up is my weakest pitch right now. I’m still working on it, but it has been coming along a little bit. The last couple of starts I have been able to throw it early in the count when I have wanted to get ahead of some guys. It’s not spectacular right now, but it is something I want to work on using more in the future.

CM: Talking a little more about your fastball: We’ve had you clocked around 92-93 MPH this season. Is this generally where you sit or is there a little more there?
AW: Yeah, I’ve been more around there consistently recently. Coming off this past year without having a day off after rehab and now pitching a full season, my body has been telling me to slow down a bit. I have a few months left here and then I’ll be able to get some time off. I’ve been up around 96-97 before, and feel like I’ll be getting back around there after I get some time off and a break.

CM: What is the main goal for you here in Lowell? What are you looking to get out of your first professional experience?
AW: I’m trying to get a feel for the system and get comfortable in the starting role, pitching on every fifth day as opposed to about every seventh day in college or coming out of the ‘pen. I’m on a very strict schedule here and I am trying to get used to it. It has been coming along real well and I have been feeling comfortable. We’re taking it nice and slow this year after rehabbing along with throwing about 90 innings at school. They told me they were going to be patient and take it slow with me this year.

CM: Is 2 or 3 innings the max? We’ve seen you around 30 pitches or so thus far.
AW: I might get past 3 innings once or twice this year, but it is basically a pitch count of about 40 each outing.

CM: In your short time here in Lowell and the system so far, who is a teammate that has impressed you so far?
AW: Ryan Westmoreland. He’s a young kid who is a big, strong, fast, and athletic guy who leaves it all out on the field, along with being a fun kid to be around off the field. There are a couple of years of age between us, but he’s one of my better friends here in Lowell and he is fun to watch. He’s one of those guys you can’t help but like.

CM: What are your plans for the off-season? Do you know if you’ll be around in the fall?
AW: I don’t know for sure yet, but when I was drafted I was told to be ready to be around for Fall Instruction. So, whatever happens, when I am done I am going to head back to Texas and start to workout.

CM: What is the plan going forward? Starting or relieving?
AW: The biggest thing for me right now is to get a better feel for my change-up and have some better control with it. Getting a feel for the pitch is only going to benefit me going forward. That’s what I am trying to work on here and that is going to be a key addition this off-season. Moving forward, I have been told to expect to stay as a starter and that is where I’d like to be, so I’m working on doing that.

Player of the Week, July 20-22: Ryan Westmoreland

Lowell's Ryan Westmoreland continued to make a name for himself, posting a .276/.364/.789 line with 4 home runs and 1 triple in 33 plate appearance over 7 games last week, and taking SoxProspects.com Player of the Week honors for July 20-26. Westmoreland also scored 9 runs while batting in 7 and stole three bases. In his professional debut, Westmoreland owns a .276/.377/.496 line with 6 home runs, 6 doubles, 2 triples and stolen 11 bases over 127 at-bats in 33 games with Lowell in 2009. A fifth round pick in the 2008 draft, Westmoreland, 19, is currently the sixth ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Pitcher of the Week, July 20-26: Felix Doubront

Portland's Felix Doubront made the most of his single start last week, pitching a 7 inning complete game shutout at New Britain (Twins) July 22, allowing 4 hits while striking out 10 and walking none en route to the win and SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week honors for July 20-26. Doubront, a 21-year-old lefty out of Venezuela, is 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA in 19 starts with the Sea Dogs in 2009, allowing 33 earned runs on 84 hits over 84 innings pitched, striking out 77 while walking 38 and holding opposing batters to a .251 average. He is currently the thirteenth ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Sox acquire outfielder Brian Anderson

According to Boston.com's Nick Carfardo, the Red Sox have acquired outfielder Brian Anderson from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Mark Kotsay, just four days after designating the veteran outfielder for assignment. A first-round draft choice (fifteenth overall) by the White Sox in 2003, Anderson has hit .225/.288/.364 in parts of five seasons with Chicago, including a .238/.322/.319 line with 2 home runs and 13 RBI in 185 at-bats this season. In parts of five seasons in the White Sox minor league system, the right-handed Arizona native has managed .293/.362/.474 totals with 40 home runs and 179 RBI in 1179 at-bats. Anderson will assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Rizzo drives in 3 in Salem loss

7/28 Cup of Coffee: Monday was not a very good day for Sox affiliates as only the Gulf Coast rookie team earned a victory. Columbus edged Pawtucket 4-3. Kris Johnson threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and 3 walks. Jose Vaquedano pitched an inning and gave up a run on a hit and a walk. He had a strikeout. Javier Lopez tossed an inning and gave up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. TJ Large threw 2 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 1. Ivan Ochoa went 2 for 5 and scored 2 runs. Mark Wagner went 2 for 4.

Reading downed Portland 4-3. Felix Doubront went 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. Chris Province threw 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits. He struck out 4. Tommy Hottovy pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit. He had a strikeout. Josh Reddick went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Juan Apodaca went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

Frederick defeated Salem 4-3. Eammon Portice threw 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He fanned 3. Armando Zerpa tossed 2 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Derrick Loop pitched a clean inning striking out the side. Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 and scored a run. He is now hitting .366. Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI.

Lakewood downed Greenville 3-1. Stolmy Pimentel threw 4.1 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 5. Lance McClain pitched 3.2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He struck out 4. Leandro Marin tossed a clean inning striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced. Jered Stanley went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ryan Dent went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

Tri-City downed Lowell 4-2. Jose Alvarez went 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Anatanaer Batista threw 2 clean innings striking out 2. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Michael Almanzar went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI. Sean Killeen went 3 for 4.

In the only victory of the night for Red Sox affiliates, the Gulf Coast Red Sox edged the Orioles 3-2. Roman Mendez went 5 innings giving up a run on 4 hits and a walk. He had 5 strikeouts. Swen Huijer tossed 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits. Cesare Angeloni threw a scoreless inning giving up 2 hits. Justin Erasmus pitched a clean inning recording a strikeout. Boss Moanaroa went 2 for 3.

Player of the Night: Anthony Rizzo who had a home run and 3 RBI

Consuegra throws 5 scoreless, 2 hit innings in Sox win

7/27 Cup of Coffee: On Sunday, Pawtucket edged Columbus 3-2. Charlie Zink went 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 6 walks. Rocky Cherry threw 1.1 scoreless frames allowing a hit and a walk. Hunter Jones pitched 1.2 clean innings with a strikeout. Chris Carter went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Portland downed New Hampshire 8-3. Adam Mills started and went 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Ryne Miller threw 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk. He had a strikeout. Chad Rhoades threw a clean inning fanning 2 of the 3 hitters he faced. Dustin Richardson tossed a clean inning recording 2 strikeouts. Josh Reddick went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Jorge Jimenez went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Ryan Khoury went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Juan Apodaca went 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.

Potomac defeated Salem 6-4. Bryan Price went 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He had 6 strikeouts. Kyle Fernandes threw 3 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. Robert Coello did not retire a hitter but gave up 2 runs on a hit and a walk. Josh Papelbon pitched an inning allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. The Salem offense had 5 hits spread out among 5 different players.

Lakewood downed Greenville 5-2. Fabian Williamson threw 3.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Jeremy Kehrt tossed 4.1 innings giving up a run on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Chad Povich threw a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He had a strikeout. Zach Gentile went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 3.

Lowell hammered Vermont 16-6. Yeiper Castillo went 5.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 3. Richie Lentz threw 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings. He gave up 1 walk and had 2 strikeouts. William Latimer pitched 2 innings giving up 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 3. Shannon Wilkerson went 3 for 6 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Derrik Gibson went 3 for 6 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 4 with a home run, 4 runs scored and 2 RBI. Mike Almanzar went 2 for 6 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Ronald Bermudez went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.

In rookie ball, the Red Sox blanked the Twins 2-0. Randy Consuegra pitched 5 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 7. Kyle Stroup tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits. He struck out 3. Jordan Flasher pitched a scoreless inning allowing 2 hits. He fanned 2. Dustin Mercadante threw a scoreless inning giving up 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Eddie Lora went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Felix Sanchez went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Player of the Night: Randy Consuegra who threw 5 scoreless, 2 hit innings while striking out 7

Tazawa promoted to Pawtucket, McAnulty released

After dominating the Eastern League for the first four months of the season, Portland righthander Junichi Tazawa has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket, this according to Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald. Tazawa, who signed a major league contract with the Red Sox during the off-season, was 9-5 with a 2.57 ERA in 18 starts for the Sea Dogs. The Japanese starter struck out 88 and walked 26 in 98 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .222 batting average. Tazawa had been especially good in July, going 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 4 starts, including 17 strikeouts and only 1 walk in 21 innings. The 23-year-old Tazawa, who was named an Eastern League All-Star but did not pitch in the game because he was also named to the World squad at the Futures Game, is currently the fifth-ranked prospect in the organization according to SoxProspects.com.

In other news, the Red Sox also announced yesterday that Pawtucket outfielder Paul McAnulty was released to make room on the roster for the recently acquired Chris Duncan. McAnulty, who was hitting .233/.331/.402 with a team-leading 11 home runs and 48 RBI in 378 plate appearances, was signed as a minor league free agent following the 2008 season.

Keowen scores twice and drives in 2 others in Drive win

7/26 Cup of Coffee: On Saturday, Pawtucket outscored Columbus 13-11. Billy Traber went 5.1 innings allowing 4 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks. Javier Lopez pitched 0.2 of an inning giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. Marcus McBeth threw 2 innings allowing 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. TJ Large retired 2 batters but gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. Jose Vaquedano struck out the only hitter he faced to end the game. Jeff Natale went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs. Chris Carter went 2 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI. Aaron Bates went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs. Travis Denker went 2 for 5 with a run scored and 4 RBI. Angel Chavez went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Ivan Ochoa went 2 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBI.

Portland edged New Hampshire 4-3. Ryne Lawson started and went 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. He fanned 1. Andrew Dobies pitched 2 clean innings of middle relief striking out 3. Bryce Cox pitched a scoreless final inning giving up 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Lars Anderson went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Matt Sheely went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

Potomac downed Salem 5-1. Kyle Weiland threw 4 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 3. Dave McKae went 3 innings allowing a run on a hit and a walk. He had 5 strikeouts. Jason Rice pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 4.

Greenville defeated Delmarva 7-5. Nick Hagadone pitched 3 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 4. Michael Lee threw 4 innings giving up 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He had 4 strikeouts. Jason Blackey tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits. He struck out 2. Zach Gentile went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Kade Keowen went 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Lowell downed Vermont 5-3. Alex Wilson threw 3 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. He had 4 strikeouts. Tom Ebert pitched 2 innings allowing a run on a hit and 3 walks. Charlie Rosario threw 2 innings giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 5. Kyle Rutter pitched 0.2 of an inning. He did not allow a run on a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Michael Bugary went 1 inning allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 2. Dennis Neuman got the final out of the game with a strikeout. He also gave up a base on balls. Wilfred Pichardo went 3 for 5 and scored a run. Michael Almanzar went 2 for 5. Drew Dominguez went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox took both ends of a doubleheader from the Rays. The Sox took the first contest 3-1. Manuel Rivera threw 5 innings giving up a run on 7 hits. He fanned 2. Justin Erasmus tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing a hit and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Juan Bonifacio went 2 for 4. Roberto Ramos went 2 for 3 and scored a run. The Red Sox took the second game 5-2 in a game shortened to 6 innings due to a lightning storm. Richard Wasielewski threw 4 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and a walk. He had 4 strikeouts. Hunter Cervenka did not record an out but allowed 2 runs on 3 walks. Cesare Angeloni pitched 2 clean innings and had 2 strikeouts. Jose Garcia went 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored and a RBI. Moko Moanaroa went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI.

Player of the Night: Kade Keowen who went 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI

Rizzo goes 4 for 4 in Salem win

7/25 Cup of Coffee: On Friday, Columbus downed Pawtucket 3-1. Michael Bowden went 7 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits. He struck out 5. Randor Bierd threw 1.2 frames allowing a run on 3 hits. He had 3 strikeouts. Hunter Jones retired the only hitter he faced. The offense had 3 hits spread out among 3 different players.

New Hampshire blanked Portland 3-0. Jarrod Plummer pitched 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Chris Province threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings giving up a walk. He had a strikeout. Dustin Richardson tossed a scoreless, hitess inning giving up 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Tommy Hottovy pitched an inning giving up a run on 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 4.

Salem defeated Potomac 5-1. Seth Garrison threw 6 innings giving up 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 6. Armando Zerpa pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 2 walks. He fanned 2. Josh Papelbon tossed a scoreless 9th inning allowing 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI. Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs. Anthony Rizzo went 4 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Delmarva defeated Greenville 10-7. Caleb Clay went 4 innings allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 3. Felix Ventura pitched 3 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Leandro Marin threw 2 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 4. Zach Gentile went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Jered Stanley went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Pete Hissey went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Vermont downed Lowell 4-1. Ryan Pressly tossed 5 innings allowing a run on a hit and 3 walks. He fanned 4. Pedro Perez threw 2.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Dennis Neuman pitched 1.1 clean innings and had a strikeout. Ronald Bermudez went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

In rookie ball, the Reds shutout the Red Sox 3-0. Tyler Wilson pitched 2 innings giving up a run on a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 5. Pete Ruiz threw 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He fanned 4. Swen Huijer threw a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He struck out 2. Reymond Fuentes went 2 for 4.

Player of the Night: Anthony Rizzo who was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with a run scored and a RBI in Salem's win

Kotsay waived to make room for LaRoche

Nick Carfardo of Boston.com is reporting that the Red Sox have placed first baseman / outfielder Mark Kotsay on waivers to make room on the 25-man roster for the recently acquired Adam LaRoche. Kotsay originally came to Boston in a trade on August 2, 2008 in exchange for outfielder Luis Sumoza, hitting .226/.286/.345 in 22 games after arriving. Kotsay resigned with the Sox during the offseason, and in 27 games and 74 at-bats in 2009, he hit .257/.291/.324 with 1 home run and 5 RBI after getting a late start to the year following back surgery in late January. If he is not claimed by another team within 48 hours, the Red Sox can either release him outright or send him to the minor leagues.

Q&A with Jose Vaquedano

A member of the Red Sox organization since June 2002, only six other current Sox have been in the system as long as Jose Vaquedano (Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitek, Manny Delcarmen, Dusty Brown, Kevin Youkilis, and Charlie Zink). Born in Honduras, Vaquedano’s family moved to Texas when he was young, and he played junior college ball in the Lone Star State at Vernon College before being drafted by the Sox in the 35th round of the 2002 Draft. Now in his eighth year as a Sox minor leaguer, Vaquedano has started, relieved, changed arm slots, played for seven different affiliates at five levels, while also pitching in the Arizona Fall League and the Puerto Rican Winter League. Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com got a chance to chat with Vaquedano in Pawtucket after he recently returned from pitching in the Triple-A All-Star Game in Portland, Oregon.

Chris Hatfield: You’ve got one of the longest tenures in the system. Over the time you’ve been with the Red Sox, how have things in the organization changed?
Jose Vaquedano: I think the main thing is the players that they draft. When I first got drafted, there really weren’t that many [Major League] prospects [in the system]. All we really had was Hanley Ramirez – but now they’re everywhere from Lowell to Pawtucket.

CH: So have you noticed that the teams you’ve been playing on are any better? Is it better to play with guys who are more talented?
JV: Yeah it is. It’s fun to win. If I were ever to get that chance to go up to Boston, I now have experience with winning.

CH: This season, you’ve really been able to put things together, making the Triple-A All-Star Game. Have you changed anything, or are things just clicking for you?
JV: I think it’s a little bit of both. One big part is that I’m getting lefties out this year. I’m throwing my changeup for strikes, working lefties in and out. I’m throwing a lot more strikes this year too.

CH: I mentioned that you got a chance to pitch in the Triple-A All-Star Game. What was it like to get named to the team and how did you hear that you had been selected?
JV: I was a late addition, so I heard about it two days before I went out there, but it was a great experience for me, and I learned a lot. It was my first All-Star Game, so I was very excited.

CH: In 2007, you changed your arm slot. What was it like switching your arm slot, changing your mechanics pretty much from step one, and how was that idea brought to you?
JV: It was two days before Spring Training was over. [Director of Player Development Mike] Hazen and [Minor League Pitching Coordinator] Ralph Truel brought me into their office and said they liked me and that “we still think we can get something out of you.” So they brought up dropping down, and I went along with it. My agent told me, “yeah, do it with your heart.” So I went out there and did it, and I got accustomed to it kind of quickly.

CH: Really? So you felt that it maybe “clicked” in that first year?
JV: Well, last year a little bit, then I got to Triple-A and had a little struggle here and there, but yeah, I feel real comfortable in that this year.

CH: Another change you’ve gone through coming up through the system is going from starting to the bullpen. How have you changed your approach to pitching, your routine, and how did you adjust to that change in general?
JV: As a reliever, you’ve got to come in there throwing strikes. And I do like being a reliever a lot better.

CH: For what reason?
JV: I don’t know. Just the thought of waiting four days to pitch. I was always thinking ahead (to my next start).

CH: So it’s knowing you could be needed at any moment?
JV: Right. It could be every day, so I don’t mind that.

CH: Coming up through the minors, what jump did you find to be the toughest?
JV: I’d say from High-A to Double-A. When I made that jump, I was dealing with a lot of adversity, like changing my arm-slot, trying to do something new every day. I was walking people and I wasn’t throwing strikes. When I got to Triple-A, I was a little more mature.

CH: Talk a bit about your approach to pitching. You’ve mentioned working the changeup to lefties, how else do you use your pitches, and what are you throwing right now?
JV: I’m throwing a sinker, a slider, and a changeup. I tend to work mostly middle-in to righties – I try to get the sinker in on their hands – and sliders away. To lefties, I throw pretty much every pitch, work in and out, changeups and sliders.

CH: Now you mentioned that your approach is something you’ve perfected this year?
JV: Yeah, I went to Puerto Rico, and I learned a lot of stuff over there, like how to pitch sidearm – I was tutored by Pedro Feliciano, the sidearm lefty from the Mets. He really helped me a lot. He taught me what side of the rubber to pitch from, some tricks that he does. Of course, I took it all in, because he’s been pitching in the big leagues for seven years.

CH: I was actually planning on asking you about your experience pitching in the Puerto Rican Winter League. How was the experience different pitching in the Caribbean Leagues over the winter than it is pitching in the minors in the U.S.?
JV: It’s a lot different. Over there they want to win, so my job is to pretty much throw every day and get some righties out. Over here, in the minors, it’s not really about situational pitching, changing pitchers at the end of games like in the big leagues.

CH: We noticed that you did throw a TON over there; it seemed like you were pitching every other day. Do you mind having a heavy workload like that and does your arm hold up well? [NOTE: Jose tied for the PRWL lead with 24 appearances over 42 games before making 6 appearances in the PRWL post-season and 3 in the Caribbean Series.]
JV: My arm holds up well. Ever since I dropped down, I can pretty much throw every day. It’s not really sore the next day.

CH: You have pitched at seven different spots in the Sox’ farm system, due to franchises moving. Which place that you’ve pitched was your favorite?
JV: I’d say Portland. The fans, the city, it was real laid back, and the fans were awesome.

CH: Now, you were born in Honduras, not exactly a country that’s producing Major Leaguers left and right. What’s the baseball culture like there and how did you pick up baseball?
JV: Well I moved over here (to the U.S.) when I was 11. My stepdad got me into baseball here in the United States. There’s no baseball (in Honduras) – soccer’s the main thing. There’s another guy pitching for the Gwinnett Braves, Mariano Gomez, and we’re kind of battling to be one of the first ones up [to the Majors from Honduras]. He got signed out of Honduras because he’s from a bigger city where they play a little more baseball, but it’s nothing like the Dominican or Venezuela. [NOTE: Just one player born in Honduras, Gerald Young, has played in the Majors.]

CH: So when you moved when you were 11, was that to San Antonio? (JV: Yes.) So that’s how you wound up at Vernon College? (JV: Yes.) When you were there, was playing in the pros really on the map?
JV: No, not really, because I never really was that dominating of a pitcher in high school or junior college where scouts were coming to talk to me. But the Sox came up and I went to a pre-draft workout, and they asked, “if we draft you, will you sign?” and I said, “yes.” So they were really the only team that was interested. And now I’m here.

CH: Do you still have a lot of family down in Honduras?
JV: Yeah, I went down there last year before I went to Winter Ball. I try to go there every two-to-three years, and I do have uncles and cousins down there.

CH: I’ve got to ask, if you don’t mind, if you’ve been keeping up on everything that’s happening down there politically. [NOTE: President Manuel Zelaya was recently deposed by a military-backed coup, leading to international calls for Zelaya’s return and violent protests.]
JV: I actually haven’t talked to my uncle, but I’ve been talking to my mom and she said it’s kind of bad right now. I have been keeping up with things, and I really didn’t like what the president was trying to do, so it was a good thing what they did.

CH: One last question, or series of questions rather: You’ve played with a lot of players in the Sox’ system. Let’s do some quick name association. Most impressive teammate you’ve had coming up through the system?
JV: Justin Masterson. Good guy, good team player, pretty much the nicest guy I’ve ever met.

CH: Best clubhouse guy, humor-wise?
JV: I’d say Manny Delcarmen. He’s a jokester.

CH: Or is it you? I’ve heard you joke around a bit yourself.
JV: Yeah, I do, but not like Manny.

CH: I’m sure you’ve seen the “Blame It on the Rain” video with Papelbon. That par for the course with him?
JV: That was perfect, yeah.

CH: You’ve named a pitcher, how about a hitter that’s impressed you on your way up through the system?
JV: I’d say Jacoby [Ellsbury]. He pretty much dominated at Double-A. Every time he got on, he scored. He got a hit, he somehow scored, whether stealing bases or stuff like that.

Hee has 3 hits in Salem win

7/24 Cup of Coffee: Thursday's action saw Pawtucket down Rochester 5-3 in 12 innings. Enrique Gonzalez went 7.1 innings allowing 2 rns on 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 6. Javier Lopez retired 1 hitter but gave up a run on 2 hits. Fernando Cabrera tossed 1.1 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Rocky Cherry threw 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and 2 walks. Jose Vaquedano threw a scoreless inning giving up a hit and 2 walks. He fanned 1. Jeff Natale went 2 for 6. Ivan Ochoa went 2 for 5 and scored 2 runs. Mark Wagner went 2 for 6 and scored a run. Travis Denker went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Freddy Guzman went 2 for 5.

New Britain edged Portland 1-0. Junichi Tazawa threw 6 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 5. Bryce Cox went 0.2 of an inning allowing 1 run on 3 hits. The offense produced 4 hits spread out among 4 different players. The second game of the doubleheader was postponed.

Salem defeated Frederick 4-2. Stephen Fife threw 5.2 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 7. Robert Coello tossed 2.1 clean innings striking out 5. Derrick Loop pitched a scoreless inning allowing a hit. He had a strikeout. Mike Jones went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Jon Hee went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs.

Delmarva downed Greenville 13-8. Brock Huntzinger tossed 2 innings allowing 6 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Lance McClain went 4 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 6. Mitch Herold pitched 3 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Mitch Dening went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 5 with a run scored. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 5 with a run scored and 4 RBI. Ty Weeden went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

Vermont downed Lowell 5-2. Cesare Cabral went an inning allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. Anatanaer Batista went 2 innings giving up 4 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Richie Lentz threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings giving up a walk. He had a strikeout. Michael Bugary pitched a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He had 2 strikeouts. William Latimer threw 2 scoreless frames allowing a hit and a walk. He fanned 1. Kyle Rutter tossed a scoreless inning giving up 1 hit. He had a strikeout. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 5 with a home run. Sean Killeen went 2 for 3.

The Gulf Coast League Red Sox were not scheduled to play on Thursday.

Player of the Night: Jon Hee who had 3 hits and scored 2 runs in the Spinner win

The Ladder- 7.23.09

Ryan Westmoreland

The Line: Through 27 games, Westmoreland has posted a .280/.393/.490 line with the Lowell Spinners, good for an OPS of .883. Since turning the calendar over into the month of July, he’s cracked 9 extra-base hits in 63 at-bats, including 4 home runs. Westmoreland has been disciplined at the plate as well, walking 19 times, and he is a perfect 8 for 8 in stolen base attempts. On July 15, he went 2 for 4 against Aberdeen, belting a long solo home run in the game. Westmoreland followed that up with a 2-for-4 effort against Williamsport July 18 and a 3-for-3 performance against State College July 20, including a triple and another solo home run. His .883 OPS ranks him sixth in the NYPL, and his 4 home runs currently have him tied for fourth in the league.

The View: Westmoreland’s skills have come as advertised and he has been proving to be a player on the move. His excellent bat speed and strong wrists generate easy power to all fields. Westmoreland is able to wait on the ball and allow it to get deep on him before he unleashes his swing. This enables him to stay back as long as possible and power the ball to the opposite field on a line. Westmoreland has also shown excellent power into the right-centerfield gap when he gets the head of the bat out in front of a pitch. The ball jumps off his bat when he squares it up, and he has shown an early knack for getting the fat part of the bat on the ball. His swing is quick to the point of contact by driving his hands down through the ball, and he’s able to keep his hands inside the ball on tough inside pitches. Westmoreland’s plate patience and discipline have proven to be advanced for his 19 years of age, and he has worked deep into counts during most of his at-bats. He has struck out a bit, but these generally come when he is deeper into the count and on off-speed pitches down in the dirt. As a developing hitter, this is something that should improve for Westmoreland as he builds his experience against professional pitching. Grading out around a 70 for speed, he’s got the makings of an above-average base stealer as he learns to read pitchers and improves his technique. After having off-season surgery on his shoulder, Westmoreland has yet to debut in the outfield, which should come later on this summer.

Yamaico Navarro

The Line: Spanning 94 at-bats, Navarro put up a line of .319/.373/.543 during his stay with Salem Red Sox, good for an OPS of .915. Since coming off the disabled list on June 19, he’s churned out 13 extra-base hits, including 9 doubles and 4 home runs, while only striking out 12 times during the stretch. Navarro drove in 5 runs via a home run and a double July 16 in a 2-for-5 performance against Winston-Salem, and went 2 for 4 with a run batted in against Frederick on July 21 in his final game with Salem. He was promoted to Portland on July 22.

The View: Navarro missed the first couple of months of the season after having surgery to remove the hook of his hand (better known as the hamate bone), but he’s rebounded nicely since returning. A natural and smooth shortstop, his range and throwing arm are above average, enabling him to make difficult plays look easy. After working on some of his glove work and footwork around the bag, Navarro has become a lot smoother turning double plays and projects as an above-average defensive player at the major league level. On the offensive side of the game, he brings some pop to the middle of the diamond and profiles as a hitter who will pile up extra-base hits. Navarro has excellent bat speed and can turn anyone’s fastball around. Especially adept at turning on inside fastballs, his bat whips through the strike zone to produce a lot of balls on a line, and he hits with good backspin that points toward him, adding a little home run power down the line. Navarro has struggled with off-speed pitches in the past, but he has been improving on his recognition and cutting down on the wild swings on balls in the dirt. He does, however, need some development in his patience and discipline at the plate. With his recent promotion to Portland in the Eastern League, Navarro is going to be challenged to keep his over-aggressiveness in check and not let pitchers force him into chasing bad balls off the plate. He’ll have to make some adjustments in Double-A, but it’s nothing outside of his skill set and should come along once he gets into a comfort zone against a new set of pitching. A period of struggle could mark the beginning of his Double-A tenure given the tough pitching reputation of the Eastern League. With the recent trade of fellow shortstop prospect, Argenis Diaz to Pittsburgh, Navarro has climbed to the top of the organization’s depth chart at the shortstop position, and he has been fast tracked with an eye on getting a glimpse of his time-table to making an impact at the major league level.

Trending Up

Felix Doubront continues to put together a solid season after surprising some with his Portland assignment to start the season. The 21-year-old left-hander has had a few rough patches, but as witnessed by his recent 7 shutout innings with 10 strikeouts against New Britian, the stuff is there with added consistency. Doubront has now struck out 77 batters in 79 innings on the season while allowing just 1 hit per inning and only giving up 5 home runs on the season. Doubront features a low 90’s fastball, a deceptive change-up that he turns over, and a mid 70’s curveball. His change-up has been an effective out pitch for him and complements his fastball nicely. Doubront’s poise and demeanor on the mound have drawn praise from scouts who have followed him during the season…After a tough start to the season, Salem righty Seth Garrison has put together a strong stretch of performances. Covering his last 52 2/3 innings, Garrison has only given up 15 earned runs and walked only 10 batters. After spending the 2008 season as the closer for the Lowell Spinners, he’s moved into a starting role with the Salem Red Sox this season and has begun to settle in after getting hit hard the first two months of 2009…Shannon Wilkerson, an eighth-round draft pick this year by the Red Sox, has settled in with Lowell and begun to show off his skills. The right-handed outfielder is now 26 for 91 on the season. Wilkerson has above-average tools across the board and has been coming up to speed with professional pitching after playing Division II baseball in college.

Trending Down

Bryan Price continues to struggle with his fastball location since being promoted to Salem. The right-handed pitcher has now given up 57 hits in 41 1/3 innings and been tagged with 36 earned runs in that stretch. Price has been hit hard by left-handed batters and has generally been leaving his fastball in the middle of the plate. Considered his best weapon, his slider has also not been as sharp in outings, sweeping more across the strike zone and lacking the downward bite that would make it a plus pitch. Despite his velocity, Price’s four-seam fastball is on the straight side, and he can loose command of his running two-seam fastball at times. He’s yet to put together a couple of consistent outings to get himself in a groove…Mark Wagner has yet to hit his stride since his promotion to Pawtucket and is currently 6 for 37 to start his career at Triple-A…Charlie Zink has been hit hard in July. In his 4 starts this month, the knuckleballer has given up 21 earned runs in 17 1/3 innings while only striking out 2 batters.

Sea Dogs take doubleheader from New Britain

7/23 Cup of Coffee: On Wednesday, Rochester took both games of their doubleheader against Pawtucket. The Red Wings took the first game 5-0. Kris Johnson started and threw 5.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 6 hitsand 2 walks. He struck out 3. TJ Large retired the only 2 hitters he faced. The PawSox managed only 2 hits in the game. Rochester took the second contest 6-1. Charlie Zink went 1.2 innings allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. Hunter Jones threw 2.1 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He fanned 2. Marcus McBeth pitched 2 clean innings recording 2 strikeouts. The offense produced just 4 hits spread out among 4 different players.

Portland took both games of their doubleheader from New Britain. The Sea Dogs took the first game 3-0. Felix Doubront threw a complete 7 inning game allowing 4 hits. He did not allow a walk and recorded 10 strikeouts. Josh Reddick went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Juan Apodaca went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI. Portland took the second game 5-1. Blake Maxwell went 5 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits and 2 base on balls. He had a strikeout. Ryne Miller went 2 innings giving up 1 run on 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Salem downed Frederick 8-5. Jose Capellan threw 3.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 7 hits and 5 walks. He had a strikeout. Kyle Fernandes tossed 2.2 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Jason Rice threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings allowing a walk. He struck out 3. Derrick Loop pitched a clean inning fanning 2 of the 3 hitters he faced. Daniel Nava went 3 for 4 with a run and a RBI. Kris Negron went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs.

Delmarva defeated Greenville 3-1. Stolmy Pimentel threw 6 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 6. Fabian Williamson threw 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings. He gave up 2 walks while striking out 1. Chad Povich threw 1.1 clean innings. The offense had 5 hits spread out among 5 different players.

Lowell defeated State College 5-1. Kason Gabbard threw 3 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 1. Jose Alvarez tossed 6 scoreless innings giving up 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Chris McGuiness went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ronald Bermudez went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox downed the Orioles 15-3. Roman Mendez threw 5 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits. He struck out 5. Kyle Stroup went 2 innings giving up 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Jason Blackey tossed a scoreless iinning giving up a hit. He fanned 1. Dustin Mercadante threw 1 inning giving up 1 run on 1 hit. Reymond Fuentes went 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and a RBI. Casey Kelly went 2 for 5 with a home run. Carson Blair went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. Eddie Lora went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI.

Player of the Night: Felix Doubront who threw a complete game 4 hit shutout. He did not allow a walk and had 10 strikeouts.

Player of the Week, July 13-19: Ryan Lavarnway

Greenville's Ryan Lavarnway blistered the ball and battered the competition last week, hitting .379/.455/.828 with 3 home runs and 4 doubles, and batting in 13 runs while scoring 6, receiving 94 percent of votes cast and taking SoxProspects.com Player of the Week honors for July 13-19. Highlighting the week, Lavarnway blasted 2 home runs and batting in 6 at Hagerstown (Nationals) July 16. On the season, Lavarnway, 21, owns a .274/.337/.520 line with 12 home runs, 22 doubles and 2 triples with with 49 RBI over 252 at-bats in 65 games with the Spinners in 2009. This is his second SoxProspects.com Player of the Week award, having previously won for May 18-24. He is currently the twenty-second ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com

Pitcher of the Week, July 13-19: Anatanaer Batista

Lowell's Anatanaer Batista made two appearances out of the Spinners bullpen last week, working 7 shutout innings of 2 hit ball, striking out seven and walking none, earning a win and garnering SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week honors for July 13-19. Batista pitched 3 innings against Aberdeen (Orioles) July 15, allowing 1 hit and striking out 3 and getting the victory. Four days later he went 4 innings against Williamsport (Phillies), again allowing only a single hit and striking out four. After a bumpy beginning to his 2009 campaign, Batista has settled into a groove in July, allowing 1 earned run of five hits (0.87 ERA, .139 BAA) in 10.1 innings pitched over 5 appearances, striking out 11 and walking none, and is 2-0. On the season he is 2-0 2.25 ERA in 16 innings pitched over 8 appearances, all in relief, allowing 4 earned runs on 11 hits, while striking out 15 and walking three. Bautista, a 20-year-old righthander, was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, and spent last season in the Gulf Coast League.

Sox ship Lugo to St. Louis, acquire Chris Duncan

Less than a week after designating him for assignment, the Red Sox have found a taker for Julio Lugo. According to The Boston Herald, Lugo has been traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for left fielder / first baseman Chris Duncan. Boston will reportedly pay the entirety of Lugo's remaining $13.5 million salary, including both this season and next season. The 28-year-old Duncan has struggled with various injuries this season, posting a paltry .227/.329/.358 line with 15 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 32 RBI in 87 games for the Cardinals, including 68 games in left field and 6 games at first base. Duncan enjoyed his finest offensive season in 2006, his rookie year, when he hit .293/.363/.589 with 22 home runs in 280 at-bats. The son of St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan and the brother of Yankees first baseman Shelley Duncan, Chris owns a career .257/.348/.458 line with 55 home runs and 175 RBI in 389 major league games. Duncan is expected to be assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

With Diaz bound for Pittsburgh, Navarro moves up

With now ex-Portland shortstop Argenis Diaz on his way to the Pirates organization, Salem shortstop Yamaico Navarro has been promoted to Double-A to take his place. Since missing most of the first half of the 2009 season following surgery to remove the hook of his hamate bone, Navarro has hit a combined .304/.360/.496 with 10 doubles, 4 home runs and 19 RBI in 115 at-bats for Lowell and Salem. Last season for Greenville and Lancaster, Navarro put up impressive .304/.359/.447 numbers with 27 doubles, 6 triples, 11 home runs and 77 RBI in 506 at-bats. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic in 2005, Navarro is currently the eleventh-ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization according to SoxProspects.com.

Sox get LaRoche from Pirates for Diaz, Strickland

The Red Sox have reportedly acquired lefty-hitting first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor leaguers Argenis Diaz and Hunter Strickland. LaRoche, 29, posted a .247/.329/.441 line with 12 home runs, 24 doubles and 1 triple in 87 games with the Pirates in 2009. LaRoche, a six year veteran, owns a career .269/.338/.456 line. He is scheduled to become a free agent after this season. Diaz, a 22-year-old short stop, was the twenty-ninth rated prospect by SoxProspects.com at the time of the trade and had known for his highly rated glove more than his bat. He was hitting .253/.309/.310 with 14 doubles and 1 triple in 76 games with Portland and had displayed uncharacteristic shakiness in the field at times. Strickland, a tall 20-year-old right-hander was ranked thirty-eighth at the time of the trade. Working with a high-80s to low-90s fastball, he had a 5-4 record with a 3.35 ERA, allowing 31 earned runs on 85 hits over 83.1 innings pitched, striking out 51 while walking 13 in 18 appearances (12 starts) with Greenville in 2009. He projects as a reliever at the major league level.

Castillo pitches 6 scoreless, 1 hit innings in Spinner loss

7/22 Cup of Coffee: Weather played havoc with Sox affiliates on Tuesday night as both the Pawtucket-Rochester and Portland-New Britain games were postponed.

Frederick downed Salem 5-1. Bryan Price went 5.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 8 hits. He struck out 5. Armando Zerpa threw 2.2 scoreless, hitless innings. He had a strikeout. Josh Papelbon threw a scoreless inning giving up 2 hits. He struck out 1. Yamaico Navarro went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Greenville was not scheduled to play last night.

State College edged Lowell 1-0. Yeiper Castillo threw 6 scoreless, 1 hit innings. He struck out 5. Charlie Rosario pitched 2 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He struck out 2. Wilfred Pichardo went 2 for 3. Chris McGuiness went 2 for 4.

In rookie ball, the Twins downed the Red Sox 10-6. Randy Consuegra went 2.1 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Michael Lennox pitched 2.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. Cesare Angeloni tossed 2.1 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. Swen Huijer threw 2 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. He struck out 2. Reymond Fuentes went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Juan Bonifacio went 2 for 5 with a home run.

Player of the Night: Yeiper Castillo who threw 6 scoreless, 1 hit innings recording 5 strikeouts

Buchholz rejoins Boston rotation as Wakefield hits DL

The big-league stay for Clay Buchholz will continue after all. According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com, Buchholz will be recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket and will start for Boston Wednesday night at Texas, taking the place of the injured Tim Wakefield, who will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain. The soon-to-be 25-year-old Buchholz made his 2009 major league debut on July 17 at Toronto, firing 5.2 innings of 1-run ball and earning the win before being sent back to Pawtucket after the game. He has gone 7-2 with a 2.36 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 99 innings for Pawtucket in 2009. Wakefield, a first-time All-Star this season at the age of 42, has gone 11-3 so far in 2009 with a 4.31 ERA. His 11 wins currently have him tied for the American League lead.

Still drives in 7 as Dogs pound New Britain 19-1

7/21 Cup of Coffee: On Monday, Rochester defeated Pawtucket 12-5. Billy Traber went 5 innings giving up 7 runs on 11 hits. Rocky Cherry threw an inning allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. Jose Vaquedano tossed 2 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. Chris Carter went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI.

Portland hammered New Britain 19-1. Adam Mills went 7 innings giving up 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 5. Andrew Dobies threw a scoreless inning giving up 1 hit. Chad Rhoades pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit and a walk. Josh Reddick went 3 for 6 with a home run, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI. Ryan Khoury went 3 for 5 and scored 4 runs. Jorge Jimenez went 3 for 5 with a home run, 4 runs scored and 4 RBI. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 5 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Jon Still went 3 for 6 with 2 home runs, 3 runs scored and 7 RBI. Argenis Diaz went 2 for 5 with a RBI.

Salem was not scheduled to play last night.

Lake County edged Greenville 5-4 in 11 innings. Hunter Strickland threw 5 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Jeremy Kehrt pitched 5 scoreless innings giving up 4 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 5. Leandro Marin went 0.2 of an inning giving up a run on 2 hits. He struck out 2. Jeremy Hazelbaker went 2 for 6 and scored a run.

Lowell downed State College 8-5. Alex Wilson went 3 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He had 4 strikeouts. Tom Ebert went 1.1 frames giving up 4 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Pedro Perez tossed 2.2 scoreless, hitless frames giving up a base on balls. He fanned 1. Kyle Rutter threw a clean inning striking out 2. Dnnis Neuman threw a scoreless inning giving up 1 hit. He struck out 2. Ryan Westmoreland went 3 for 3 with a home run, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI. Ronald Bermudez went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Wilfred Pichardo went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox-Rays game was postponed.

Player of the Night: Jon Still who had 3 hits, 2 home runs, 3 runs scored and 7 RBI

PawSox fall 1 out short of no-hitter

7/20 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket fell 1 out short of no-hitting Indianapolis in their 3-2 win on Sunday. Michael Bowden threw 5 no-hit innings giving up 4 walks. He had 5 strikeouts. TJ Large pitched a scoreless, hitless inning allowing 1 walk. Javier Lopez tossed 2.1 scoreless, hitless frames fanning 2 hitters. Fernando Cabrera pitched the final 0.2 of an inning giving up 2 runs on 2 hits. Paul McAnulty went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs.

Trenton edged Portland 2-1 scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. Ryne Lawson went 6 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit and 3 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Tommy Hottovy threw 2.2 frames allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. John Otness went 2 for 4.

Lynchburg downed Salem 10-3. Kyle Weiland threw 4.2 frames giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Dave McKae pitched 1.1 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 1. Robert Coello tossed 2 innings giving up 2 runs on a hit and 2 walks. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 5 and scored a run. Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Kris Negron went 3 for 4 and scored a run.

Greenville defeated Lake County 7-3. Nick Hagadone threw 3 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 4. Michael Lee went 4.2 frames allowing 3 runs on a hit and 3 walks. He struck out 7. Lance McClain pitched 1.1 scoreless frames giving up a hit and 2 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Zach Gentile went 2 for 5 with a RBI.

Williamsport defeated Lowell 8-1. Ryan Pressly went an inning allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Anatanaer Batista threw 4 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. He struck out 4. William Latimer pitched 2 innings giving up 4 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 3. Richie Lentz threw 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits. He struck out 4. Chris McGuiness went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

In rookie ball, the Reds blanked the Red Sox 3-0. Tyler Wilson threw a scoreless inning allowing a hit and a walk. Manuel Rivera pitched 5 innings giving up 1 run on a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Richard Wasielewski threw 2 clean innings striking out 5. Justin Erasmus tossed an inning giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. The offense managed just 2 hits in the game.

Player of the Night: Michael Bowden who threw 5 scoreless, no-hit innings in PawSox win

Gentile homers in 10th inning to give Drive win

7/19 Cup of Coffee: On Saturday, Indianapolis edged Pawtucket 8-7 in 10 innings. Enrique Gonzalez started and went 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks. He had a strikeout. TJ Large went 0.1 of an inning allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. Marcus McBeth threw 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk. He struck out 3. Hunter Jones pitched 1.1 scoreless frames allowing 1 hit. He had a strikeout. Fernando Cabrera pitched the last 1.1 innings giving up a run on 3 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Ivan Ochoa went 2 for 5 and scored 3 runs. Paul McAnulty went 2 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI. Chris Carter went 2 for 5. Bubba Bell went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI.

Trenton edged Portland 6-5. Jarod Plummer threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 4 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Chad Rhoades went 1.2 innings allowing 3 runs on a hit and 4 base on balls. He fanned 1. Dustin Richardson went 1.1 frames allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Jon Still went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

Salem defeated Lynchburg 4-2. Seth Garrison pitched 6 innings allowing 1 run on 8 hits and a walk. He fanned 4. Jason Rice pitched 2 innings allowing a run on a hit and a walk. He struck out 2. Jose Capellan threw a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He struck out 2. The offense had 6 hits spread out among 6 different players.

Greenville downed Lake County 9-7 in 10 innings. Caleb Clay threw 4.1 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Felix Ventura pitched 2.1 frames giving up 4 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. Mitch Herold went the final 3.1 frames and did not allow a run. He gave up 4 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 2. Zach Gentile went 2 for 5 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Ryan Lavarnway went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 RBI. Kade Keowen went 2 for 5 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 4. Ty Weeden went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Williamsport defeated Lowell 8-2. Cesar Cabral threw 5 innings allowing 5 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 3. Jeremiah Bayer went 2.1 frames giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 2. Michael Bugary pitched 0.2 of an inning and did not allow a run or a hit. He walked 1 and had a strikeout. Dennis Neuman pitched a scoreless, hitless inning allowing 1 walk. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Willaim Holmes went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Ronald Bermudez went 2 for 3.

The Rookie League Red Sox were idle on Saturday.

Player of the Night: Zach Gentile who hit a 2 run homer in the 10th inning to give Grenville a win over Lake County

Lowrie back with Boston, Buchholz optioned

As was expected, shortstop Jed Lowrie was recalled to Boston and in the starting lineup today against Toronto, ending the brief 2009 major league tenure of Clay Buchholz for now. Buchholz, who was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Lowrie, started last night for Boston at Toronto, firing 5.2 innings giving up only 1 earned run on 4 hits and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts. Lowrie had originally been assigned to short-season Lowell after coming off the disabled list on July 8, but played for three different teams in the minors, accumulating a .220/.310/.320 line with 5 RBI for Lowell, Portland, and Pawtucket in 2009. In his Red Sox minor league career, Lowrie has been a .285/.379/.441 hitter with 25 home runs and 189 RBI in 351 games played over parts of five seasons. The switch-hitting former first-round pick also owns .245/.327/.378 in parts of two major league seasons.

Salem downs Lynchburg in 15 inning marathon

7/18 Cup of Coffee: On Friday, Indianapolis defeated Pawtucket 7-3. Charlie Zink went 4.2 innings giving up 4 runs on 4 hits and 7 walks. Jose Vaquedano lasted 0.2 of an inning giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Billy Traber retired the 2 hitters he faced. Rocky Cherry threw 1.1 frames allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Javier Lopez tossed 1.1 clean frames. Travis Denker went 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 runs scored. Bubba Bell went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Portland downed Trenton 5-2. Junichi Tazawa pitched 5 innings giving up 1 run on 5 hits. He struck out 4. Chris Province threw 2 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. Bryce Cox tossed 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. John Otness went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Lars Anderson and Jason Place also each went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Jon Still went 2 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBI.

Salem defeated Lynchburg 8-4 in a 15 inning marathon scoring 4 times in the top of the 15th. Eammon Portice threw 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He fanned 7. Armando Zerpa went 2 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Josh Papelbon threw 3 scoreless, 1 hit innings. He struck out 5. Derrick Loop tossed 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 5. Kyle Fernandes pitched the final 2 innings and did not allow a run or a hit. He walked 1 and had a strikeout. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 8 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Daniel Nava went 3 for 7 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Mike Jones went 3 for 8 with 2 RBI. David Mailman went 4 for 7 and scored a run. Kris Negron went 2 for 6 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Lake County downed Greenville 8-1. Brock Huntzinger threw 5.2 frames giving up 4 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 7. Chad Povich pitched 2.1 frames allowing 4 runs on 8 hits. He had 3 strikeouts. Oscar Tejeda went 2 for 4.

Lowell defeated Williamsport 7-1. Kason Gabbard threw 3 scoreless, hitless innings allowing 3 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Jose Alvarez pitched 5 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 5. Kyle Rutter pitched a scoreless, hitless inning allowing 2 walks. Shannon Wilkerson went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs. Mike Almanzar went 2 for 4 and had 3 RBI. Joantoni Garcia went 2 for 3 and scored a run.

In rookie ball, the Orioles edged the Red Sox 4-3. Pete Ruiz threw 4 innings allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Kyle Stroup tossed 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk. He fanned 5. Cesare Angeloni went 2 innings allowing a run on a hit. Dustin Mercadante pitched a clean inning striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced. Carson Blair went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ken Roque went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.

Player of the Night: Daniel Nava who had 3 hits with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI in Salem's 15 inning win

Bates back to Pawtucket as Lowell returns

With the return of third baseman Mike Lowell to the Boston lineup, Aaron Bates has been optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket. Lowell was hitting .282/.319/.470 with 10 home runs when he was placed on the disabled list with a sore hip on June 30. Bates, who was originally called up to the majors on July 6 when Jeff Bailey went on the disabled list, put up .364/.417/.545 numbers, going 4 for 11 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI in 5 games played for Boston. A third-round pick by the Red Sox in the 2006 draft, Bates had been hitting .182/.273/.295 in 88 at-bats for Pawtucket at the time of his call-up and had put up a .293/.366/.442 line overall between Pawtucket and Portland. In 457 combined minor league at-bats this season, Bates has hit 29 doubles, 2 triples and 11 home runs and collected 68 RBI. He has hit .294/.392/.474 in his three plus seasons in the Red Sox organization and is currently the twentieth-ranked prospect in the system according to SoxProspects.com.

Lugo designated for assignment to make room for Buchholz

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com is reporting that Boston shortstop Julio Lugo has been designated for assignment. The Red Sox now have ten days to trade or release Lugo, who is in the third year of the four-year, $36 million contract he signed prior to the 2007 season. If Lugo is released, the Red Sox would be responsible for the remainder of his $9 million salary this year, as well as for his $9 million salary for 2010, less the major league minimum salary should another team sign him. The wiry 33-year-old infielder had been hitting .284/.352/.367 with 1 home run and 8 RBI in 103 at-bats for Boston in 2009. A veteran of ten major league seasons, Lugo owns a career .271/.335/.390 line with 78 home runs and 439 RBI in 1186 games played for the Astros, Rays, Dodgers, and Red Sox.

Lugo's spot on the 25-man roster will likely be taken by Pawtucket starter Clay Buchholz, who is scheduled to make his 2009 major league debut tonight when the Red Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays. SoxProspects.com's first-ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization prior to losing his major league rookie eligibility in 2008, Buchholz has been cruising through the International League in 2009, putting up a 7-2 record with a 2.36 ERA in 17 starts. He's racked up 89 strikeouts in 99 innings pitched, holding opposing hitters to just 6.5 hits per 9 innings. Buchholz is 31-14 with a 2.42 ERA in 91 career minor league appearances, striking out 506 in 443.1 innings. In his major league career, Buchholz has compiled a 5-10 record with a 5.56 ERA in 20 appearances.

Lavarnway has 2 homers and 6 RBI in Drive win

7/17 Cup of Coffee: On Thursday, Indianapolis downed Pawtucket 9-5. Kris Johnson went 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 11 hits and a walk. He had 6 strikeouts. TJ Large threw a scoreless, hitless inning allowing 2 walks. Hunter Jones tossed 2 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. He fanned 3. Marcus McBeth pitched an inning giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. The PawSox offense had 7 hits spread out among 7 different players.

Trenton defeated Portland 9-6. Felix Doubront threw 4 innings allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 2. Blake Maxwell went 1.1 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits. He had a strikeout. Andrew Dobies went 0.2 of an inning allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. Ryne Miller pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings allowing 1 base on balls. He struck out 2. John Otness went 2 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI.

Salem downed Winston-Salem 5-1 in 10 innings. Stephen Fife went 6 innings giving up 1 run on 6 hits. He fanned 5. Dave McKae threw 2 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Robert Coello tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He had 2 strikeouts. Che-Hsuan Lin went 4 for 5 and scored 2 runs. Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Yamaico Navarro went 2 for 5 with a home run and 5 RBI. His home run was a walk off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Greenville defeated Hagerstown 8-5. Stolmy Pimentel threw 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 5. Leandro Marin tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit and 3 walks. He fanned 3. Lance McClain pitched 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Jeremy Hazelbaker went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 5 with 2 homers including a grand slam and 6 RBI. Mitch Dening went 3 for 5 and scored a run. Jared Stanley went 2 for 4.

Lowell got past Aberdeen 6-4. Yeiper Castillo went 4.2 frames giving up a run on 7 hits and a walk. He had 5 strikeouts. Richard Lentz threw 1.1 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He fanned 4. Pedro Perez pitched 1.1 frames giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 3. William Latimer threw 1.2 clean innings and had a strikeout. Shannon Wilkerson went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Derrik Gibson went 2 for 5 with a RBI.

In rookie ball, the Twins edged the Red Sox 1-0. Roman Mendez went 5 innings allowing a run on 3 hits. He fanned 4. Charlie Rosario tossed 3 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits. He struck out 2. The Sox offense managed 3 hits in the contest.

Player of the Night: Ryan Lavarnway who had 2 homers and 6 RBI in Drive win

The Ladder- 7.16.09

Josh Reddick

The Line: After missing the month of May with an oblique strain and feeling his way back into the batter’s box in June, Reddick has found his stride again in July, posting a .291/.350/.582 line, good for a .932 OPS. Of Reddick’s 16 hits in the month, 8 have gone for extra bases while he has batted lead off and manned centerfield for Portland. His 12 home runs on the season put him in the top ten in the Eastern League despite missing a month of the season, and his .883 OPS would rank him sixth in the league if he had enough qualifying at-bats. Reddick went 2 for 4 on July 10 against New Hampshire with 2 runs batted in, and he followed that up on July 13 by cracking 2 home runs in the final game of the first half.

The View: Reddick came back slowly from his injury, struggling to find his timing. As a whole, his pitch recognition on off-speed pitches and his discipline at the plate have been much improved this season. This was a key need for Reddick after his stint in Double-A last season, when his over-aggressiveness was exposed by advanced pitching. Adept at turning on the ball, he crushes fastballs middle in and has been disciplined enough to keep himself from chasing off-speed pitches down and in. With his excellent batspeed, Reddick generates a lot of torque and lift with his swing, which produces consistent, hard contact with plenty backspin on the ball. His strikeouts have increased since he arrived in Portland, but he is also walking more and has been staying back on the ball well the entire season. One area where Reddick could stand to improve is with his tendency to over-pull balls, especially fastballs on the outer third of the plate. Driving those pitches to left field with a little more frequency, rather than trying to yank them, would round out Reddick as a more complete threat at the plate, and this will be something of a need as he moves up to the next level to prevent pitchers from living on the outer third of the plate against him. After playing more right field in the lower minors, he’s continued to prove his center-field skills this season, flashing some nice range and reads on balls, while showing off his plus plus throwing arm. Needing to make improvements in his approach at the plate coming into the season, Reddick has made some excellent strides in this area and with some more fine tuning looks to be rounding into a complete and dangerous hitter at the plate.

Ryan Pressly

The Line: Off to a solid start with Lowell, Pressly checks in with 25 2/3 innings pitched on the season with 22 hits against and 21 strikeouts, issuing only 5 free passes. He ripped off 3 wins in a row from June 27 thru July 8, pitching 16 innings while only giving up 2 earned runs on 7 hits and fanning 14 batters during the win streak. On July 8 against Tri-Valley, Pressly dominated the lineup over 6 shutout innings, recording 6 strikeouts and only allowing 3 hits in his best performance of the season to date. He’s held batters to a .238 average despite giving up 8 hits in his last outing on July 14, and he has held left-handed batters to a .216 clip on the season. Pressly’s 1.75 earned run average currently has him sitting 10th in the NYPL.

The View: Pressly features an 88-90 MPH four-seam fastball that can get up to 91 when he reaches back. He also throws a cutting fastball that sits 84-86 MPH with some inward bite on left-handed batters. He likes to change speeds with his fastball and has been keeping the ball out of the middle of the plate with his two-seam fastball to limit the solid contact against him thus far into the season. Pressly’s sharp curveball is close to a true overhand curve and can be nasty on batters, creating a lot of bending knees. He gets some nice arm action on his change up, but there isn’t a ton of separation between it and his fastball, especially the two-seamer that he throws a good chunk of the time. However, his arm action and deception have kept batters off-balance on the pitch, and it also fades into the dirt, giving it a different look than his fastball. Now in his second full year in the system after being drafted in 2007, Pressly looks more polished out on the mound and has good balance in his delivery that keeps him from over-throwing his fastball, as he needs to keep it down in the zone for best results. His control has been improved this season as well, and he’s been pounding the strike zone with his fastball to get ahead of hitters to start. While lacking an overpowering fastball, Pressly has been running it while changing speeds to keep hitters at bay. A good looking pitch, it will be interesting to see how much more he works his curveball into counts as the season progresses given the pitch’s hard break and potential for no-contact swings. About a month into the short-season with Lowell, Pressly has gotten off to a strong start and looks to be taking a positive step forward on his development path.

Trending Up

After missing the first two plus months of the season with a broken bone in his hand, Salem’s Yamaico Navarro has roared back into action to post a .942 OPS in 67 at-bats. Navarro has racked up 7 doubles and 3 home runs in the stretch while consistently producing solid contact at the plate. An excellent fastball hitter, he turns on fastballs to rifle them into the gaps and produces excellent batspeed as he whips the bat head through the zone. A slick-fielding shortstop, Navarro shows above-average range in the field and an excellent throwing arm across the diamond…Jeremy Kerht struck out 30 batters in 21 2/3 innings with Lowell, including 11 in his last appearance, prior to being promoted to Greenville earlier this week Kehrt struck out 4 batters over 4 1/3 innings in his first appearance with Greenville on July 15…Zach Gentile is 14 for his last 43 with 3 strikeouts during that stretch. On the season, Gentile has only struck out 20 times in 168 at-bats and has posted a .738 OPS to date. The gritty infielder is hitting .310 and has been anchoring the top of the Greenville lineup in recent weeks.

Trending Down

Derrik Gibson has cooled off considerably after his hot start to the season with Lowell and is currently 3 for his last 40. Gibson has struck out 12 times and only walked 3 times during his cold spell. After making a lot of solid contact during June, he’s been rolling over a lot of pitches in July while getting jammed by fastballs on the inner third of the plate…Reid Engel is 18 for his last 82 with only 4 extra-base hits. The Sea Dogs outfielder has looked overmatched during the 28-game stretch, racking up 31 strikeouts…Tim Fedorowicz is 1 for his last 21 after getting off to a solid start in High-A.

Wilson pitches 3 scoreless innings in Spinner win

7/16 Cup of Coffee: On Wednesday, Winston-Salem downed Salem 7-4. Bryan Price started and went 5.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 7. Kyle Fernandes threw 2 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 1. Derrick Loop tossed 1.1 scoreless frames giving up 1 hit. He fanned 1. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Luis Exposito went 3 for 4 with a home run.

Greenville defeated Hagerstown 4-1. Fabian Williamson threw 3 scoreless, hitless innings giving up 5 base on balls. He had 5 strikeouts. Jeremy Kehrt threw 4.1 innings giving up a run on 4 hits amd 2 walks. He fanned 4. Felix Ventura pitched 1.2 clean innings recording a strikeout. Oscar Tejeda went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI.

Lowell blanked Aberdeen 2-0. Alex Wilson threw 3 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He did not give up a walk and struck out 4. Tom Ebert pitched 2 scoreless frames allowing a hit and a walk. He fanned 2. Anatanaer Batista threw 3 scoreless innings giving up a hit. He had 3 strikeouts. Dennis Neuman pitched a clean 9th inning fanning 1. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 4 with a home run. Ronald Bermudez and Wilfred Pichardo each went 2 for 3.

In rookie ball, the Rays downed the Red Sox 8-3. Hunter Cervenka went 2 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Michael Lennox pitched 3 innings giving up 5 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 2. Swen Huijer tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He struck out 2. Jason Blackey pitched a clean inning. The offense managed just 3 hits in the game.

Player of the Night: Alex Wilson who tossed 3 scoreless, 1 hit innings. He did not allow a walk while recording 4 strikeouts.

Consuegra tosses 5 scoreless innings in Sox win

7/15 Cup of Coffee: Action on Tuesday saw Salem blank Winston-Salem 8-0. Jose Capellan threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 5. Armando Zerpa threw 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit. He fanned 2. Jason Rice pitched 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and 3 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Yamaico Navarro went 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Zach Borowiak went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Kris Negron went 3 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

Hagerstown edged Greenville 5-4. Nick Hagadone threw 2 innings allowing a run on a base on balls. He struck out 4. Michael Lee tossed 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He had 4 strikeouts. Mitch Herold went an inning allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He fanned 2. Zach Gentile went 3 for 5 and scored a run. Ryan Lavarnway went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Kade Keowen went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Ryan Dent went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

Aberdeen defeated Lowell 5-0. Ryan Pressly went 4.2 frames giving up 3 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Jeremiah Bayer threw 2.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits. He struck out 4. Richie Lentz tossed a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He fanned 2. Kyle Rutter pitched a scoreless inning allowing a hit and a walk. He had a strikeout. Shannon Wilkerson went 2 for 3.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox downed the Reds 7-4. Randy Consuegra started and went 5 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 4. Kyle Stroup pitched 0.2 of an inning giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. Justin Erasmus threw 2.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Dustin Mercadante tossed a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. Jose Garcia went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Eddie Lora went 2 for 3 with a home run. Roberto Ramos went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Casey Kelly in his first game this season as a positional player went 1 for 3 with a walk. He scored twice and had a RBI.

Player of the Night: Randy Consuegra who threw 5 scoreless innings in the Gulf Coast Red Sox win

Player of the Week, July 6-12: Roberto Ramos

Roberto Ramos tore through the Gulf Coast League last week, posting a .526/.545/.632 line with 2 doubles, scoring 5 runs while batting in four, taking 2 walks and stealing 4 bases in 23 plate appearances over 8 games, for which feats he was recognized by the voters as SoxProspects.com Player of the Week of July 6-12. Ramos, 20, is hitting .448/.485/.517 with five stolen bases on the young GCL season. This is Ramos's second go-around with the GCL Red Sox after having hit .261/.306/.348 in 18 games in 2008. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by Boston in June 2008.

Pitcher of the Week, July 6-12: Seth Garrison

Salem right-hander Seth Garrison made a pair of starts last week, allowing only a single un-earned run on eight hits over 12 innings-pitched, striking out 12 while walking none, taking a split (1-1) but earning himself SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week honors for July 6-12. Garrison worked 5 shutout innings at Winston-Salem (White Sox), allowing 3 hits and striking out 5 for the victory July 6, but was a hard luck loser against Wilmington (Royals) July 12, while striking out 7 and allowing 5 hits. In 17 games (16 starts) with Salem, Garrison, 23, is 5-8 with a 4.08 ERA, allowing 39 earned runs on 89 hits over 86 innings pitched, striking out 54 while walking 27. He was also named Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the same period.

Reddick homers twice in Sea Dog win

7/14 Cup of Coffee: Action on Monday was very light with only two Sox affiliates involved. Portland downed New Hampshire 9-2. Adam Mills threw 6 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and 3 walks. He had 5 strikeouts. Tommy Hottovy went 1.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Bryce Cox pitched 1.2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He struck out 1. Josh Reddick went 2 for 4 with 2 home runs. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 4 and scored 2 times. Jon Still went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Lars Anderson went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Juan Apodaca went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 4 RBI. Argenis Diaz went 3 for 4 with a RBI.

Greenville edged Hagerstown 5-4. Hunter Strickland went 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 3. Chad Povich threw 2 scoreless frames allowing 1 hit. He had a strikeout. Lance McClain tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits. He struck out 3. Ryan Dent went 2 for 5 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI. Mitch Dening went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs.

Player of the Night: Josh Reddick who homered twice in 4 at bats

Alvarez pitches 6 scoreless innings in Spinner win

7/13 Cup of Coffee: On Sunday, Syracuse edged Pawtucket 5-4. Clay Buchholz started and went 5.1 innings allowing 5 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He had 3 strikeouts. Marcus McBeth tossed 1.2 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. He fanned 1. Javier Lopez pitched a scoreless innings giving up a hit. He had a strikeout. Fernando Cabrera threw a scoreless inning allowing a hit and a walk. He struck out 1. Freddy Guzman went 2 for 5 with a home run and 2 RBI. Angel Chavez went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

New Hampshire trounced Portland 11-3. Ryne Lawson went 3 innings giving up 8 runs on 8 hits and 5 walks. He struck out 2. Chad Rhoades threw 2 frames allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 1. Andrew Dobies pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings giving up 2 base on balls. He struck out 4. Ryne Miller tossed 2 clean innings and had 2 strikeouts. Ryan Kalish went 3 for 5 with a home run and 2 RBI. Lars Anderson went 2 for 3.

Wilmington blanked Salem 2-0. Seth Garrison threw 7 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits. He struck out 7. Kyle Fernandes pitched 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. The Salem offense had 4 hits in the game.

Lowell split a doubleheader with Vermont. The Spinners took the first game 4-0. Jose Alvarez threw 6 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits. Dennis Neuman pitched a scoreless final inning allowing a walk. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 3 and scored a run. Michael Almanzar went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI. Vermont took the second game 3-1. Cesar Cabral threw 5 scoreless frames allowing 3 hits. He fanned 3. Pedro Perez pitched an inning giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. The Spinners had 4 hits spread out among 4 different players.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Orioles edged the Red Sox 2-1. Manuel Rivera threw 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 7. Charlie Rosario pitched 3 scoreless innings of relief allowing 3 hits. Roberto Ramos went 2 for 3.

Player of the Night: Jose Alvarez who threw 6 scoreless innings in the Spinner win

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.

Pimentel has strong start in Drive win

7/12 Cup of Coffee: Before taking my first sip of out of my much needed coffee cup this morning let me digress a moment to tell you the McCartney concert was fabulous and if you have an opportunity to catch him at Fenway, don't miss it! Wow!

On Saturday, Syracuse downed Pawtucket 8-7. Charlie Zink went 6 innings giving up 8 runs on 9 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Rocky Cherry threw 3 scoreless innings allowing a hit and a walk. He struck out 3. Jed Lowrie went 3 for 5 and scored a run. Jeff Natale went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Paul McAnulty went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Angel Chavez went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.

New Hampshire defeated Portland 4-2. Blake Maxwell threw 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 2. Chris Province threw 2 scoreless, hitless frames allowing 3 base on balls. He fanned 4. Dustin Richardson pitched a scoreless inning allowing a hit and a walk. TJ Large tossed a scoreless inning giving up 1 hit. He had a strikeout. Ryan Khoury went 2 for 3.

Wilmington defeated Salem 7-2. Eammon Portice tossed 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 6. Jason Rice threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings allowing 1 walk. He fanned 3. Robert Coello pitched 2 innings giving up 4 runs on a hit and 2 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Yamaico Navarro went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Greenville downed Rome 4-1. Stolmy Pimentel threw 6 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits. He struck out 6. Leandro Marin pitched 2 scoreless frames giving up 2 hits. He fanned 3. Armando Zerpa tossed a clean 9th inning. Oscar Tejeda went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

The Lowell - Vermont game was postponed.

In rookie ball, the Red Sox and Twins split a doubleheader. The Twins took the first game 5-0. Roman Mendez went 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He had 6 strikeouts. Cesare Angeloni pitched 2 frames allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Reymond Fuentes went 2 for 3. The Red Sox rebounded to take the second contest 7-1. Pete Ruiz tossed 5 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Justin Erasmus pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He struck out 3. Tyler Yockey went 2 for 3 and scored a run.

Player of the Night: Stolmy Pimentel who gave up 1 run and 5 hits over 6 innings of work. He did not allow a walk while recording 6 strikeouts.

Lennox perfect in middle relief for Gulf Coast Sox

7/11 Cup of Coffee: This Nova Scotian,as he sips his morning coffeee,is excited to be heading to Halifax after penning this column to take in the Sir Paul McCartney concert tonight.

Well on Friday, Buffalo broke what would have been a perfect night for Sox affiliates by edging Pawtucket 1-0. Enrique Gonzalez went 8 innings allowing 1 run on 7 hits. He fanned 4. Javier Lopez pitched a clean 9th inning. The PawSox offense produced just 2 hits in the game.

Portland blanked New Hampshire 4-0. Jarrod Plummer pitched 6 scoreless innings giving up 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 6. Tommy Hottovy threw 1.1 scoreless, hitless frames. He gave up a walk and had 2 strikeouts. Bryce Cox threw 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings giving up 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Josh Reddick went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Lars Anderson went 3 for 4 and scored a run.

Salem edged Wilmington 4-3. Kyle Weiland went 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He had 7 strikeouts. Ryne Miller tossed 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits. He struck out 1. Derrick Loop pitched a scoreless inning giving up a hit. He fanned 2. Kris Negron went 2 for 3. Mike Jones went 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI.

Greenville downed Rome 10-5. Stephen Fife went 5.1 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He had 5 strikeouts. Mitch Herold tossed 2.2 frames giving up a run on a hit and a walk. He had a strikeout. Felix Ventura pitched a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He struck out 3. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. Ryan Dent went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI.

Lowell defeated Vermont 10-3. Yeiper Castillo went 6 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks. He had 5 strikeouts. Richard Lentz threw 1.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 1 hit and 2 base on balls. He struck out 4. William Latimer tossed 1.2 scoreless frames allowing a hit and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Chris McGuiness went 2 for 5 with a home run. Mike Almanzar went 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 runs scored. Shannon Wilkerson went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Robero Feliz went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox edged the Rays 8-7. Hunter Cervenka started and lasted 1.2 frames allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Michael Lennox threw 3.1 clean innings fanning 3. Richard Wasielewski went 2.1 frames giving up 4 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Jason Blackey threw 1.2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and 2 walks. He fanned 1. Reymond Fuentes went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI. Leonel Escobar went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

Player of the Night: Michael Lennox, the big Aussie, who pitched 3.1 perfect innings of middle relief recording 3 strikeouts.

Place promoted to Portland

After posting a .252/.328/.391 line with 24 doubles, 3 triples, and 4 home runs so far this year for High-A Salem, outfielder Jason Place has been promoted to Double-A Portland, this according to Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald. A first-round draft choice by the Red Sox in 2006, Place will replace injured outfielder Matt Sheely on the Portland roster. The 21-year-old Place received a $1.3 million signing bonus after signing with the Red Sox as a five-tool talent out of Wren High School in South Carolina. In his three plus seasons in the organization, he has so far put up .240/.320/.399 numbers with 75 doubles, 12 triples, and 39 home runs in 1358 at-bats, drawing 147 walks times while striking out 427 times. He is currently the fortieth-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system according to SoxProspects.com.

Report: Sox sign Cuban defector Jose Iglesias for $8.2-million

According to a report in El Nuevo Herald, a Spanish language newspaper based in Miami, the Red Sox have come to terms with Cuban defector Jose Iglesias on a four year deal worth $8.2-million, which figure includes a $6-million signing bonus. The 19-year-old shortstop defected from Cuba during a July 2008 trip during the World Junior Triple A Baseball Championship in Edmonton and thereafter was declared a free agent eligible to be signed at the start of the July 2009 signing period.

Iglesias is said to have a plus plus glove and a plus arm, and has drawn comparisons to Ozzie Smith. He reportedly has average range and excellent instincts. His bat is a question mark at this point, particularly power-wise, and he's not likely to add much more bulk to his 5-10, 180 pound frame. He's a pull hitter with average speed. It has been speculated by some scouts that Iglesias would have been a second round pick if he were eligible for the 2009 draft, but the Sox apparently thought more highly of him. Those same scouts also believe that he will begin his career at High A. It is unclear at this point whether Boston intends for Iglesias to begin his career in 2009 or 2010, or whether he has obtained a visa to play in the United States as of yet.

Kehrt fans 11 in relief performance

7/10 Cup of Coffee: On Thursday, Buffalo downed Pawtucket 3-1. Billy Traber went 5.2 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 3. Randor Bierd threw 2.1 innings giving up a run on 3 hits. He had a strikeout. Hunter Jones pitched a clean inning striking out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced. Freddy Guzman went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Binghamton edged Portland 2-1. Felix Doubront went 5 innings giving up 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 3. Chad Rhoades threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings allowing a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Andrew Dobies pitched 2 innings giving up a run on 3 hits and a walk. Argenis Diaz went 2 for 3.

The Salem - Winston-Salem game was postponed.

Rome defeated Greenville 6-2. Brock Huntzinger pitched 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 9 hits. He fanned 3. Lance McClain threw 3 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Leandro Marin threw a clean 9th inning. Oscar Tejeda went 3 for 4.

Lowell downed Tri-City 7-6. Alex Wilson threw 2 innings giving up a run on a hit. He struck out 4. Jeremy Kehrt tossed 6 innings and gave up 2 runs, one of them earned. He did not allow a walk while recording 11 strikeouts. Chad Povich went 0.1 of an inning giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk. Anatanaer Batista retired the two hitters he faced striking out 1 of them. The Spinners had 9 hits spread out among 9 different players.

In rookie ball, the Reds downed the Red Sox 6-1. Randy Consuegra went 4 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Kyle Stroup threw 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 2. Swen Huijer pitched 2 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He struck out 2. The offense produced 3 hits with no hitter having more than 1.

Player of the Night: Jeremy Kehrt who pitched 6 innings of relief allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits. He struck out 11.

Pressly pitches 6 scoreless innings in Spinner win

7/9 Cup of Coffee: Wednesday's action saw Lehigh Valley blank Pawtucket 12-0. Kris Johnson went 3 innings giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Jose Vaquedano tossed 2 innings allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 2. Rocky Cherry threw 2 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits. Javier Lopez pitched a clean inning with a strikeout. Travis Denker went 2 for 4.

Portland swept both games of a doubleheader over Binghamton. The Sea Dogs took the first contest 3-1. Junichi Tazawa went 5 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He struck out 1. Dustin Richardson threw 2 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. He had 2 strikeouts. The offense produced 4 hits spread out among 4 different hitters. The Sea Dogs won the second game 6-2. Adam Mills threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 6 hits. He fanned 2. Chris Province went an inning giving up a run on 2 hits. He struck out 2. TJ Large pitched an inning allowing a run on 2 hits. He fanned 2. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

Winston-Salem downed Salem 8-3. Bryan Price threw 4.1 innings giving up 6 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He fanned 3. Kyle Fernandes threw 1.2 frames giving up a run on 2 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Josh Papelbon tossed 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Anthony Rizzo went 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Chih-Hsien Chiang went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Greenville edged Rome 6-5. Caleb Clay pitched 5 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and 2 base on balls. He had 6 strikeouts. Armando Zerpa threw 2.1 frames giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Felix Ventura threw 1.2 innings allowing 3 runs on 7 hits. He fanned 1. Zach Gentile went 3 for 5 and scored a run. Mitch Dening and Ryan Dent each went 2 for 3 and scored a run.

Lowell blanked Tri-City 9-0. Ryan Pressly pitched 6 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 6. Kyle Rutter tossed 2 clean innings recording 3 strikeouts. Pedro Perez pitched a scoreless, hitless 9th inning allowing a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Jed Lowrie went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Chris McGuinnes went 2 for 3 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Ryan Westmoreland went 1 for 3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox did not play on Wednesday.

Player of the Night: Ryan Pressly who threw 6 scoreless innings. He had 6 strikeouts.

Pitcher of the Week, June 29-July 5: Bryan Price

Salem's Bryan Price worked 6 shutout innings at Myrtle Beach (Braves), allowing a mere 3 hits, while walking none, earning the win and SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week honors for June 29-July 5. The win was Price's first with Salem after three losses and owns a 7.18 ERA, allowing 29 earned runs on 46 hits, striking out 39 and walking 14 in 36 innings pitched since being promoted to high-A May 26. Combined on the year he is 4-6 with a 4.59 ERA, allowing 41 earned runs on 83 hits, striking out 79 while walking 26. Price, 22, is currently the twenty-first ranked pospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Player of the Week, June 22-July 5: Luis Exposito

Salem's Luis Exposito only played in four games last week, but he made the most of his 18 plate-appearances, posting a .625/.667/1.000 line with 1 home run and 3 doubles, scoring 3 runs, batting in 6 and talking two bases on balls, powering his way to SoxProspects.com Player of the Week honors for June 29-July 5. Exposito, 22, is batting .296/.358/.472 with Salem on the season, hitting 5 home runs, 24 doubles, 1 triple and 43 RBI in 233 at-bats over 61 games. He is currently the fourteenth ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Van Every designated for assignment, Lowrie assigned to Lowell

With Jed Lowrie's rehab assignment time set to expire on Saturday, the Red Sox tonight activated the 25-year-old shortstop and optioned him to short-season Lowell. To make room for Lowrie to make room on the 40-man roster, injured outfielder Jon Van Every was designated for assignment. Van Every had been on the 7-day disabled list since June 2 with an injured left knee and had hit .215/.378/.462 in 65 at-bats for Pawtucket this season. He had also appeared in 7 major league games for Boston, hitting .364/.462/.636 in 11 at-bats. Lowrie, who had been moved to the 60-day disabled list on Monday to make room on the 40-man roster for Aaron Bates, had gone 5 for 19 during his rehab assignment, playing for Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket. He originally went on the 15-day disabled list on April 13 with pain in his left wrist and had surgery on that wrist eight days later.

Kelly makes last start in pitching role

7/8 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket defeated Lehigh Valley 6-2 on Tuesday. Clay Buchholz started and threw 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Marcus McBeth tossed 2 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits. He struck out 2. Randor Bierd threw a clean 9th recording 1 strikeout. Chris Carter went 2 for 3 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Travis Denker went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.

The Portland-Binghamton game was postponed due to the weather.

Winston-Salem blanked Salem 2-0. Casey Kelly in his last start as a pitcher went 6 innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits and a walk. He fanned 5. Jason Rice threw 2 innings giving up 1 run on 1 hit and a walk. He struck out 2. Yamaico Navarro went 2 for 3.

Savannah downed Greenville 5-1. Nick Hagadone pitched 3 perfect innings with 5 strikeouts. Michael Lee tossed 4.2 frames allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Leandro Marin pitched 1.1 innings and did not allow a hit or a walk. Jeremy Hazelbaker went 2 for 3.

Despite outhitting their opponents 10 to 6, Lowell fell to Tri-City 2-1. Cesar Cabral threw 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He had 6 strikeouts. Dennis Neuman tossed a scoreless inning allowing 2 hits. He fanned 3. Richard Lentz tossed 2 scoreless, hitless innings giving up 1 walk. He had 4 strikeouts.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox downed the Orioles 8-6. Manuel Rivera threw 4 scoreless innings giving up 4 hits and a walk. He fanned 3. Cesare Angeloni went 1.2 frames giving up 4 runs on 5 hits. Dustin Mercadante tossed 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Justin Erasmus pitched 1.1 clean innings. He struck out 2. Bryan Peterson went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Christian Vazquez went 2 for 5 with 3 RBI. Felix Sanchez went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs. Roberto Ramos went 4 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI.

Player of the Night: Roberto Ramos who was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with 2 runs scored and a RBI

Richardson to replace Tazawa as EL All-Star

Portland relief pitcher Dustin Richardson will be an Eastern League All-Star after all - he'll be replacing Junichi Tazawa, who will be pitching in the Futures Game on July 12, on the Northern Division roster. In his first season pitching out of the bullpen, Richardson has put up a 2-1 record with a 2.78 ERA so far in 2009. The tall lefthander has made 26 appearances spanning 45.1 innings, compiling 62 strikeouts and limiting opposing hitters to a .186 batting average. He has faired even better against lefthanded hitters, holding them to a .167 batting average while striking out 33 in 18.2 innings. Pitching exclusively as a starter prior to this season, Richardson owns a career minor league record of 22-20 with a 4.28 ERA, striking out 347 in 319.1 innings since being selected by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2006 draft. He is currently the twenty-eighth ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization according to SoxProspects.com.

GCL Sox take 2 from Twins

7/7 Cup of Coffee: Action on Monday saw Scranton/WB take both ends of a doubleheader from Pawtucket. They took the first game from the PawSox 3-2 in 11 innings. Michael Bowden went 4.1 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Javier Lopez threw a scoreless inning giving up 2 hits. He fanned 2. Jose Vaquedano pitched 2 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Hunter Jones pitched 2 scoreless frames giving up a hit and a base on balls. Fernando Cabrera went 1.1 innings allowing a run on a hit and 2 walks. Chris Carter went 4 for 5 and scored a run. Scranton/WB took the other game 4-1. Charlie Zink started and went 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks. He fanned 1. Rocky Cherry threw a scoreless inning giving up a hit and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. The offense produced 7 hits spread out among 7 different players.

New Hampshire edged Portland 6-5. Ryne Lawson threw 5 innings giving up 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 4. Tommy Hottovy pitched 2 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. He had 3 strikeouts. Bryce Cox went an inning giving up a run on 3 hits. Josh Reddick went 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and a RBI. Jed Lowrie went 3 for 5 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Jorge Jimenez went 2 for 5 with a RBI.

Salem blanked Winston/Salem 4-0. Seth Garrison threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits. He fanned 5. Ryne Miller tossed 2 scoreless frames giving up 3 hits and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Jose Capellan pitched 1.2 scoreless, hitless frames. He walked 2 and had 4 strikeouts. Derrrick Loop retired the only hitter he faced. Mike Jones went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Yamaico Navarro went 2 for 5 and scored a run. Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 5 with a home run, a run scored and 3 RBI.

Greenville downed Savannah 5-3. Hunter Strickland threw 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits. He fanned 3. Fabian Williamson threw 4 innings giving up a run on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 4. Pete Hissey went 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Staten Island defeated Lowell 7-2. Jose Alvarez threw 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 6. Jeremiah Bayer went 1.2 frames allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. William Latimer threw 1.1 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk. He struck out 3. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 4.

The Rookie League Sox took both games of a doubleheader from the Twins. They took the first game 6-1. Pete Ruiz tossed 4 innings allowing a run on 3 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 1. Michael Lennox threw 3 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit. He fanned 3. The Sox scored 6 runs on 6 hits with no player having more than 1. The Red Sox took the second contest 5-1. Charlie Rosario threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits. He fanned 1. Jason Blackey went an inning allowing a run on 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Swen Huijer threw a scoreless, hitless inning with 2 strikeouts. Juan Bonifacio went 3 for 4 and scored a run. Christian Vazquez went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Moko Moanaroa went 3 for 4 and scored a run.

Player of the Night: Charlie Rosario who threw 5 scoreless inning allowing 3 hits. He did not give up a walk and had a strikeout.

Q&A with Yamaico Navarro

The Red Sox signed Yamaico Navarro as an international free agent in September 2005 out of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. After playing one season in the Dominican Summer League, the shortstop made his domestic debut with Lowell in 2007, putting together a solid campaign for the Spinners. He impressed for Greenville in early 2008, being named a South Atlantic League All Star, the third year in a row he had been named an all star in his respective league. He finished off the 2008 season strong with a .901 OPS in 22 games for High-A Lancaster. Navarro began this season with the Salem Red Sox, but suffered a hand injury and ended up having surgery to remove the hook of his hamate bone. Chris Mellen of SoxProspects.com recently had a chance to sit down with him while he was rehabbing in Lowell. Navarro has since returned to the Salem lineup full time. Special thanks to hitting coordinator Victor Rodriguez for help with translation.

Chris Mellen: 2007 marked the first time that you had come over to the United States, playing here with Lowell that season. How has the transition been to playing here and what has been the most difficult part?
Yamaico Navarro: I like to get acclimated to the city that I am playing in, especially the field and the way it plays – seeing how the ball bounces, how the infield plays, since it will be my home park. Obviously, continuing to learn the English language has been something that I have been working on, and that is the biggest transition for a player like me from another country. Overall, things have been going well and I’ve enjoyed coming over to the United States to play ball.

CM: What types of things have you been working on with regards to your offensive game? Where have there been areas of improvement?
YN: I have been focusing on getting to the field early every day and heading into the cage to get my routine in, really focusing on staying up the middle with my approach. I’ve also been trying to keep my front side in so that I can stay on the ball more. Usually, when I am out of whack it is because I am out of control, so I have been working on keeping that focus up the middle of the diamond.

CM: What has the experience been like in the Red Sox organization? Has there been a specific area that they have you focusing on?
YN: The organization has treated me really well and has given me the opportunity to play baseball every day. They’ve said they’d like me to continue to play shortstop so I have been working on sharpening my skills at the position, like how I read the ball off the bat and continuing to make accurate throws to first base. It isn’t an easy position to play, so I’ve been trying to come out to get my work in by taking groundballs before games, and to do the little things that are necessary to get better at the position so I can continue to play short while I move up the ranks.

CM: Tell us more about playing shortstop. You’ve played some other positions in your career. What is it about shortstop for you?
YN: Since I was a kid I have been playing shortstop. It just feels very natural to me. I’ve tried some of the other positions like you said, but it always seems to come back to shortstop being the one that feels the most comfortable. Things seem to flow for me there and I have been able to make the plays and challenge myself to get better.

CM: Who has been the most influential person for you in your career in baseball? Has there been a player within the organization that has particularly impressed you?
YN: There have been a few people. In my first year, hitting coach Caesar Hernandez really helped me out with things and got my swing going when I was down in the Dominican. When I came over here to the United States, Bruce Crabbe has been a guy who has worked with me on my defense and pushed me to get better at the position. The entire organization has done a lot for me during my career here, but those are a couple of people that have stuck out and made an impact on me. As for players, I’ve always been impressed with Dustin Pedroia.

CM: What has been the biggest adjustment for you as you’ve moved up each rank of the system?
YN: The pitching has been the biggest adjustment. Obviously, the higher you go, the better the pitches, but it sticks out at you. They have much better control as you move up, while also commanding the strike zone better. They’ll locate pitches better and move them inside or outside on you. So, I’ve had to be more disciplined at the plate to adjust, keep myself from chasing pitches, and not going after what they want me to go after.

CM: Over the last couple of the years, the Red Sox minor league system has gotten a lot of attention given the amount of homegrown players that have made a contribution at the major league level. Is that something that sticks out to you guys within the system and how they are willing to promote from within.
YN: Absolutely. It definitely sticks out how they give an opportunity to the young players and how they aren’t afraid to promote young players to make a contribution at the big league level. I’m hoping that within the next couple of years I get that chance to go to Boston and help the team win. So, yes, it is something that you think about because it doesn’t seem like it is the same in other organizations – especially since the Red Sox have been successful winning the World Series with younger players.

CM: We’ve talked a lot about baseball. What does Yamaico Navarro like to do when he is away from the baseball field?
YN: I like to enjoy time with my family when I am home. The off-season is nice because I work out at the Academy down in the Dominican Republic, and get to spend some time with them while I am practicing in the cages and hitting the weight room to get in shape for the season. This past year, I actually came back up here to Florida early in January to get a jump on the season, so the spending time with my family was something that I did a lot of before coming back to the States.

Report: Bates gets the call

According to WEEI.com, the Red Sox will promote first baseman Aaron Bates to the big league club for tonight's game against Oakland, taking the spot of Jeff Bailey, who is headed for the 15-day disabled list with a high ankle sprain. Bates will apparently be in the starting lineup and bat ninth. Presently the twentieth-ranked prospect in the Sox system, Bates was just recently promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket from Double-A Portland after putting up a .340/.405/.505 line for the Sea Dogs in 2009. In 24 games for the PawSox, the 25-year-old Bates hit just .182 while making adjustments to Triple-A pitching. Bates was drafted in the third round of the 2006 draft out of North Carolina State. To clear a spot for Bates on the 40-man roster, Boston will transfer Jed Lowrie to the 60-day disabled list, according to Amalie Benjamin. As Lowrie has already spent more than sixty days on the disabled list, the move is simply a procedural one.

Exposito's 2 run double in 8th gives Salem win

7/6 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket saw their doubleheader against Sceanton/WB postponed on Sunday.

Portland downed New Hampshire 9-3. Blake Maxwell went 5 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits. He struck out 2. Andrew Dobies threw 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits. He fanned 2. Dustin Richardson pitched an inning giving up a run on 2 hits and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Chad Rhoades pitched a clean 9th inning. Josh Reddick went 2 for 6 with a run scored and a RBI. Ryan Kalish went 3 for 5 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Jorge Jimenez went 3 for 5 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Argenis Diaz went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.

Salem defeated Myrtle Beach 6-4. Eammon Portice threw 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 5. Robert Coello tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He struck out 4. Kyle Fernandes pitched a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. Derrick Loop threw a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He had a strikeout. Che-Hsuan Lin went 3 for 5. Luis Exposito went 3 for 4 with a run scored and 3 RBI. His double in the 8th inning scored 2 runs breaking a 4-4 deadlock. He raised his batting average to .301.

Savannah downed Greenville 4-2. Stephen Fife threw 5.1 innings giving up 3 runs on 8 hits and a walk. He struck out 7. Mitch Herold tossed 2 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Felix Ventura pitched the final 1.2 frames and did not allow a run on a hit. He fanned 2. Zach Gentile went 3 for 4 and scored a run. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 2 with a RBI. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 3.

Staten Island defeated Lowell 7-3. Yeiper Castillo went 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He had 5 strikeouts. Chad Povich threw 1.1 frames giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Anatanaer Batista pitched 1.2 innings allowing a run on 3 hits. He struck out 2. Chris McGuiness went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Shannon Wilkerson went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Thomas Di Benedetto went 3 for 4 with a RBI.

In rookie ball, the Rays blanked the Red Sox 1-0 scoring a run in the bottom of the 9th for the win. Roman Mendez threw 5 scoreless, 1 hit innings allowing a walk. He struck out 5. Kyle Stroup threw 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit. He had a strikeout. Justin Erasmus pitched 1.2 innings giving up a run on 3 hits. Reymond Fuentes went 3 for 4.

Player of the Night: Luis Exposito who had 3 hits and 3 RBI in the game including a tie breaking 2 run double in the 8th inning to give Salem the win

Gulf Coast Sox sweep doubleheader

7/5 Cup of Coffee: On the 4th of July, the Pawtucket-Scranton/WB game was postponed due to unfit playing conditions caused by a waterlogged field.

New Britain edged Portland 2-1. Jarod Plummer threw 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He fanned 6. Chris Province pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He struck out 2. Josh Reddick went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Myrtle Beach downed Salem 3-2. Kyle Weiland pitched 6 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Jason Price tossed 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits. He struck out 3. David Mailman went 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Savannah defeated Greenville 4-2. Brock Huntzinger went 6 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. Lance McClain threw 2 innings allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 4 walks. Armando Zerpa pitched a clean inning recording a strikeout. Zach Gentile went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 4. Pete Hissey went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Staten Island blanked Lowell 2-0. Alex Wilson started and threw 2 clean innings. He had a strikeout. Jeremy Kehrt went 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He fanned 7. Kyle Rutter pitched a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit and 3 walks. He fanned 1. Shannon Wilkerson went 2 for 4. William Holmes went 2 for 3. Drew Hedman went 2 for 4.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox took a doubleheader from the Reds. They won the first game 2-0. Randy Consuegra pitched 5 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Richard Wasielewski threw 2 clean innings. He had 3 strikeouts. The Sox offense produced 4 hits in the game with no player having more than 1. The Red Sox took the second contest 5-2. Hunter Cervenka threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit and a walk. He struck out 6. Cesare Angeloni pitched a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He fanned 1. Dustin Mercadante went an inning giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. Reymond Fuentes went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI. Christian Vazquez went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI.

Player of the Night: Hunter Cervenka who pitched 5 scoreless allowing just 1 hit and a walk. He had 6 strikeouts.

Exposito reaches base 6 times in Salem win

7/4 Cup of Coffee: Happy 4th of July America! On Friday, Scranton/WB downed Pawtucket 6-1. Kris Johnson went 5.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Billy Traber pitched 0.2 of an inning and retired both hitters he faced. Randor Bierd threw 1.1 frames allowing 3 runs on 2 hits. He fanned 1. Hunter Jones pitched the final 1.2 frames allowing 1 run on a hit and a walk. He had 3 strikeouts. Angel Chavez went 2 for 3.

Portland swept a doubleheader from New Britain. They took the first game 6-4. Adam Mills went 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 2. Bryce Cox tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 3 and scored a run. Lars Anderson went 3 for 3 with 3 runs scored and a RBI. John Otness went 2 for 2 with 3 RBI. Reid Engel went 2 for 3 with a RBI. The Sea Dogs took the second contest 8-5. Felix Doubront went 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 9 hits. He did not allow a walk while fanning 4. Chad Rhoades threw a scoreless, hitless inning allowing a walk. He fanned 1. TJ Large threw a clean inning with a strikeout. Jon Still went 2 for 3 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Juan Apodaca went 2 for 2 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Iggy Suarez went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI.

Salem blanked Myrtle Beach 10-0. Byran Price tossed 6 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits. He had 6 strikeouts. Ryne Miller threw 2 scoreless innings allowing a hit. He had a strikeout. Josh Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth allowing a hit. He struck out 1. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 3 and scored a run. Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Luis Exposito went 4 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. He also walked twice. David Mailman went 2 for 6 with a home run and 3 RBI. Kris Negron went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Charleston shut out Greenville 4-0. Caleb Clay pitched 4.2 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 1. Leandro Marin tossed 1.1 scoreless frames allowing a hit and 2 walks. Felix Ventura threw 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Ty Weeden went 2 for 4. Pete Hissey went 2 for 3.

Lowell defeated Staten Island 4-2. Ryan Pressly pitched 5 innings allowing a run on a hit. He fanned 6. William Latimer tossed 2 frames allowing a run on 2 hits. He had 4 strikeouts. Pedro Perez threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings allowing a walk. He struck out 2. Drew Hedman went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox were idle on Friday.

Player of the Night: Luis Exposito who reached base 6 times with 4 hits and 2 walks. He homered, scored twice and had 2 RBI.

Q&A with Jeremiah Bayer and Sean Killeen

Childhood friends from Greenfield, Mass. and teammates at Division-III Trinity College, pitcher Jeremiah Bayer and catcher Sean Killeen once again find themselves battery-mates this summer as teammates on the Lowell Spinners. The right-handed throwing Bayer, the D-III Pitcher of the Year, was the Boston’s 30th selection in June’s First-Year Player Draft after going 12-1 with a 0.83 ERA for the Bantams in 2009. Killeen was a Division-III First Team All-American, but went undrafted, signing a contract with the Sox as a rookie free agent. Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com was recently able to talk with both Massachusetts natives about being teammates once again and becoming pros for their hometown team.

Chris Hatfield: I’ll start with the question I’m sure you’re probably both getting pretty often – what is it like to be starting your career with your battery-mate from college on the same team?

Sean Killeen: It absolutely helps that a friendly face is there, and we’ve also got one of my Trinity teammates, Thomas Di Benedetto. That helps adjusting. Everyone’s coming in, and we don’t really know each other, so it helps to know a couple people to start.

Jeremiah Bayer: It helps tremendously with the comfort level. Comfort level, a lot of times, will translate into success, especially when you make a change such as the one I just made from college to the professional level. Sean and I have been playing together for a long time, so hopefully we’ll help each other continue to move up the ranks together.

CH: You’re local guys too, so what was it like signing with the Red Sox?

SK: That’s something you grow up dreaming about when you’re in Little League. When they called right after the draft, it didn’t take me long to say “yeah.”

JB: I’ve always been a Sox fan my whole life. It’s funny, now my dad’s a Sox fan – he was a Yankee fan, but he’s switched now. But it was unbelievable to get that call. It would have been a dream come true to get drafted by any team – I just wanted a chance to play this summer – but that it happened with the Red Sox just makes it that much sweeter.

CH: Did you know ahead of time if the Red Sox had interest in you?

SK: Yeah, one of their scouts was talking to me throughout most of the year, and he was telling me that they were interested. Jeremiah and I actually went to Fenway Park for a pre-draft workout, and I think they liked what they saw. Obviously there are a lot of things that factor into the draft, but I just wanted the opportunity, so I’m happy to be here.

JB: I had a good feeling about the Red Sox after the workout. In general, they seemed impressed with the both of us, so that was good, and I was hoping that the Sox would be impressed and that they would find a way to get me in the draft. So, like I said, I’m very pleased that I’m here.

CH: Sean mentioned Tom (Di Benedetto), and you’ve also got Jeff Natale up in Triple-A as a Trinity grad. Knowing that guys have come out of Trinity, already a top D-III program, and done well, how confident are you coming into the pros?

SK: To see a guy like Jeff succeed – he was a great hitter at our school, he’s a great hitter now – but to see a guy like that succeed from a Division-III school, it gives you a lot of confidence. You don’t feel overwhelmed here. You feel like they’re all ballplayers just like you, so just go out there and do your job. You just have to work your way up – it doesn’t matter if you’re the guy with the huge signing bonus or if you’re a guy who signed a free agent contract, you’re going to get a shot, and it’s up to you to do it.

JB: Well it gives me more confidence than I would have had. Like you alluded to there, I look to those guys as an example of the success I could have moving up the ranks.

CH: We usually ask guys to give us scouting reports on themselves, but how about this – give me a scouting report on your teammate.

SK: Jeremiah has a two-seamer that moves more than any fastball I’ve ever seen. I think he had the most swing-and-misses at fastballs in the dirt this year than I’ve ever seen. When we were throwing at Fenway, they made him stop throwing his two-seamer because they wanted the kids to actually have a chance to hit the ball. So he’s got that very good two-seamer, he’s a ground ball pitcher with a very good slider – that’s his strikeout pitch. He’ll get swings and misses with that. To be honest, he only threw two pitches in college because that’s all he needed. I think he’s got a pretty good curveball and a pretty good changeup, and he’s probably going to be throwing them more here against better hitters. I think he could be more of a strikeout pitcher if he wanted to, but I think he’s a groundball pitcher because he knows he can go deeper into games that way.

JB: Defensively, I know from first-hand experience that Sean’s a great catcher to throw to. Real good receiver, blocks the ball well, and he’s got a pretty good arm. So he’s fun to throw to. Offensively, he’s got some quick hands at the plate. Compared to some guys he might not look as big stature-wise, but he’s got those quick hands and he can get around on the ball, and I think he’ll turn some heads this summer.

CH: What goals do you have entering your first season of pro ball?

SK: My goal is to take advantage of any opportunity that I get and make it hard for the coaches to take me out of the lineup. If I go out there and do my job and make them keep me in there, play some solid defense behind the plate, that’d be my goal. That’s why you play baseball in the first place. I also want to make sure I don’t get overwhelmed by the whole professional baseball thing. I hear [the Spinners] get great fans and pack the house.

JB: Right now, I’m mostly focused on developing myself. This past season at college it was more about having the stats and getting scouted to get drafted. Now that I’m here, I’m really looking forward to developing myself into a better pitcher, and not really focus as much on stats as I did earlier this year. That’s my goal right now – to really focus on mechanics, and turn myself into a solid, next-level kind of pitcher. In college, I was more of a strikeout guy at the D-III level, but here I’ll be a contact pitcher. I’m a sinker-slider pitcher, so I try to pitch to contact and limit the walks.

Lowell rally in 9th to edge Staten Island

7/3 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket edged Scranton/WB 4-3 on Thursday. Clay Buchholz went 7 innings allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 7. Marcus McBeth threw a scoreless inning allowing a hit and a walk. He fanned 2. Fernando Cabrera pitched a scoreless, hitless inning giving up 2 walks. Freddy Guzman went 2 for 4. Paul McAnulty went 2 for 2 with a home run and 2 runs scored.

The Portland-New Britain game was postponed due to rain.

Myrtle Beach defeated Salem 8-1. Casey Kelly went 5 innings giving up 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Jose Capellan threw 3 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits and a walk. Zach Borowiak went 2 for 3. Jason Place went 1 for 4 with a home run.

Charleston blanked Greenville 3-0. Nick Hagadone pitched 1.2 innings allowing 3 runs. He did not give up a hit but walked 4 batters. He had 2 strikeouts. Michael Lee threw 4.1 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits. He did not allow a walk while fanning 5. Mitch Herold pitched 2 scoreless, hitless frames allowing 1 walk. He struck out 5. Jared Stanley went 2 for 4.

Lowell scored 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth to stage a come from behind 6-5 win over Staten Island. Cesar Cabral went 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He fanned 3. Tommy Hottovy pitched an inning giving up 2 runs on 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Jeremiah Bayer threw 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He fanned 4. Dennis Neuman pitched a clean ninth. Ryan Westmoreland went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Joantoni Garcia went 2 for 5 with a RBI.

In rookie ball, the Red Sox edged the Orioles 5-4. Manuel Rivera went 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 6. Charlie Rosario threw 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He had 3 strikeouts. Jason Blackey threw 2 scoreless frames allowing 3 hits. He struck out 3. Jose Garcia went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Ivan Ochoa went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Boss Moanaroa went 2 for 4.

Player of the Night: Ryan Westmoreland who had 3 hits, including one that started the Spinner rally in the 9th inning as well as a run scored and a RBI

Pitcher of the Month, June: Casey Kelly

Salem's Casey Kelly stayed on a roll in his first full month in High-A ball, earning a 1-1 record with a 1.50 ERA on 30 innings pitched over five starts, allowing 5 earned runs on 12 hits and striking out 24 while issuing only 2 walks and holding opposing batters to an .117 average en route to being named SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month of June. Kelly dominated in the polls as well as on the field, winning SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week honors three times last month, for the weeks of June 1-7, June 15-21 and June 22-28. On the season he is 7-4 with a 2.12 ERA, allowing 21 earned runs on 59 hits over 89 innings-pitched, striking out 69 and walking 15 in 16 starts with Greenville (9) and Salem (7). He is currently the second ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Player of the Month, June 2009: Tim Federowicz

Tim Federowicz took his breakout season to another level in June, posting a .442/.461/.737 combined line with 5 home runs and 13 doubles over 95 at-bats between Greenville (69) and Salem (26), in recognition of which he has been named SoxProspects.com Player of the Month of June. "FedEx", as he is commonly referred to on the site message board, hit .435/.461/.739 on the month with The Drive before being promoted to Salem June 25 and went .462/.462/.731 the rest of the way. On the season Federowicz is .354/.399/.575 with 11 home runs, 23 doubles and 39 RBI in 254 at-bats (90 hits) over 61 games and has been climbing the SoxProspects.com charts, slotting in as the thirteenth ranked prospect in the organization, opening 2009 at thirty-third. He was also voted SoxProspects.com Player of the Week of June 15-21.

Paw Sox to send two to Triple-A All-Star Game

The International League today announced that two members of the Pawtucket Red Sox will be representing the International League when the IL All-Stars take on their Pacific Coast League counterparts in the Triple-A All-Star game on July 15 in Portland, Oregon. Clay Buchholz, who was the overall leader in the online fan voting, will be one of the IL's starting pitchers after going 5-1 with a 1.90 ERA in 80.2 innings. The 25-year-old has struck out 75, walked only 24 and yielded only 50 hits so far on the season. His 1.90 ERA ranks first among active IL starting pitchers, and his 0.92 WHIP ranks second only to Syracuse righthander J.D. Martin.

Buchholz will be joined on the IL roster by Pawtucket closer Fernando Cabrera, who has pitched to a 1.03 ERA and has notched a league-leading 16 saves so far this season. Cabrera, who joined the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in January, has recorded 36 strikeouts and issued only 12 walks in 2009, limiting opposing hitters to a .161 average. The 27-year-old righthander has allowed only 1 earned run in his last 10 appearances, recording 7 saves in that span.

As is the case in the MLB All-Star Game, the winning league in the Triple-A All-Star Game will earn home-field advantage in the Triple-A Championship Game in Oklahoma City this September.

Navarro leads Salem to win over Lynchburg

7/2 Cup of Coffee: On Wednesday, Pawtucket was idle and the Rookie League Red Sox were rained out.

New Britain took both games of their doubleheader against Portland. The first game saw New Britain down the Sea Dogs 3-1. Junichi Tazawa threw 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. He struck out 6. Dustin Richardson threw 2 perfect innings recording 2 strikeouts. The offense managed just 2 hits in the game. New Britain took the second contest by an identical 3-1 score. Ryne Lawson pitched a complete 7 inning game. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. He fanned 2. Jon Still went 2 for 3 and scored a run. Interestingly Sea Dog pitchers did not allow a walk in either game.

Salem edged Lynchburg 5-4. Seth Garrison threw 7 innings giving up 4 runs on 9 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Kyle Fernandes pitched a scoreless inning allowing 2 hits. He struck out 1. Derrick Loop tossed a scoreless, hitless inning allowing a walk. He struck out 2. Yamaico Navarro went 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Chih-Hsien Chiang went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Although outhit 11 to 5, Greenville doubled the score on Charleston 10-5. Stolmy Pimentel pitched 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 8 hits. He fanned 7. Lance McClain threw 2.1 scoreless frames. He allowed 2 hits and a walk. He had 4 strikeouts. Armando Zerpa threw 1.2 scoreless frames allowing 1 hit. He fanned 3. Will Middlebrooks went 1 for 5 with a grand slam home run.

Lowell trounced Staten Island 11-0. Jose Alvarez pitched 6 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Chad Povich tossed 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He had a strikeout. Anatanaer Batista threw a clean 9th inning and had a strikeout. Michael Almanzar went 3 for 3 with a run scored and 3 RBI. Ronald Bermudez went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

Player of the Night: Yamaico Navarro who had 3 hits including a home run, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

International Signing Day - Red Sox Preview

Tomorrow is the first day of the early international signing period, meaning eligible international amateurs - many as young as fifteen and sixteen years old - are free to sign with major league clubs. Look for the Sox to be one of the biggest spenders in this year's class. Following up on our previous report that the Sox will sign Dominican shortstop Jose Gregorio Vinicio to a $2-million bonus and Dominican left-hander Victor Payano to a $900,000 bonus in early July, the Sox have also agreed to terms with Dominican right-hander Raul Alcantara for a $500,00 bonus according to Jorge Arangure of ESPN the Magazine. Alcantara is said to have sound mechanics and a strong build. His fastball reportedly sits between 86-90 mph with good movement. He also mixes in a power curve and a developing changeup. Boston also appears to be the front runner to sign Max Kepler, a German centerfielder considered to be the best player to come out of Europe in years. Kepler is a potential five-tool player that has displayed a lot of maturity for a sixteen year old, both physically and mentally. He's fluid athletically, has a nice looking swing, and a potentially plus arm. While he has above average speed now, it may teeter down to average should he really fill out. He speaks fluent English. Beyond these players, the Red Sox have also been linked to Dominicans Jose Alberto Pena (OF), Cristopher Cabrera (RHP), Jose Iglesias (SS), and Chax Tomosina (RHP).

SoxProspects.com Podcast - June 30, 2009

In the latest SoxProspects.com Podcast, we discuss the importance of July 2 for the Red Sox farm system, from international signing day, to the Fenway Classic, to Casey Kelly's second-to-last start. Mike Andrews, Ian Theodoridis, Chris Hatfield, and Chris Mellen also talk about the litany of top Red Sox prospects they've scouted over the past month. Hope you enjoy!

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Four Sea Dogs named Eastern League All-Stars

With the Double-A Eastern League All-Star Game just two weeks away, the Portland Press Herald's Kevin Thomas is reporting that Sea Dogs pitchers TJ Large (pictured) and Junichi Tazawa, first baseman Lars Anderson, and third baseman Jorge Jimenez have been selected to play for the Northern Division team. Anderson, who is hitting .258/.354/.409 with 8 home runs and 36 RBI so far this year, and Tazawa, who has pitched to a 7-4 record with a 2.92 ERA and was also selected for the Futures Game, were both voted onto the team by fans. Jimenez (.297/.367/.432, 8 home runs, 44 RBI) and Large (3-0, 0.93 ERA, 7 saves) were both selected by a group made up of players, coaches and members of the media. The game is scheduled to be played on July 15 in Trenton, NJ.

Sox set to sign first-round pick Reymond Fuentes

According to Alex Speier of WEEI.com, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with 2009 first-round draft choice Reymond Fuentes on a signing bonus worth approximately $1.13 million, a figure reportedly slightly above the slot recommendation provided by the Commissioner's Office. Fuentes, who has already passed a physical and drug test, has been be assigned the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. A speedy outfielder out of Fernando Callejo High School in Puerto Rico, Fuentes was the Red Sox' first selection in the 2009 draft and the twenty-eighth player chosen overall. The 18-year-old left-handed hitter had an excellent senior season with Fernando Callejo, hitting .424/.620/1.091 with 3 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs, and 9 steals in only 33 at-bats. He is the cousin of Mets outfielder Carlos Beltrán.

The Ladder- 7.1.09

Derrik Gibson

The Line: Off to a scorching start 2 weeks into short-season play, Gibson is 16 for 34 with 5 doubles and 2 triples to go along with 4 stolen bases so far for Lowell. Currently riding a 7-game hitting streak, he’s cracked 2 or more hits in 4 of the 7 games, including a 3-for-3 performance on June 29 against Oneonta and a 3-for-4 showing in Tri-Valley on June 25. Flashing his gap power, Gibson has knocked 6 of his 7 extra-base hits in his last 5 games while effectively getting the fat part of the bat on the ball the majority of the time he makes contact. Overmatched last season in his brief call up to Lowell, he’s started off well in 2009. He has especially improved his control of the strike zone, drawing 10 walks and striking out only 6 times thus far. Gibson’s been the hottest member of the Lowell Spinners and the driving force behind their offense hitting out of the second slot in the batting order.

The View: While he did not break camp with a full-season team back in April, the time spent in Florida seems to have done Gibson a lot of good as the short-season ramps up. Still very lean, he’s got a lot of physical maturing to do, but the maturation in the batter’s box has been noticeable in the first two weeks of the season. Looking comfortable at the plate, Gibson has been able to track off-speed pitches a lot better than he did last season and drive fastballs with his quick, compact stroke highlighted by his strong hands and quick wrists. He’s able to stay back off his front foot while keeping his hands back during the early going and drive through the ball. The ball has been jumping off his bat when he squares pitches up. Given his elite speed and projection of around average power down the line, Gibson profiles as a top-of-the-order table-setter, but he will rack up his fair share of extra-base hits given his speed, ability to plug gaps with line drives, and his quick hands to the point of contact. Hitting with a level swing, he produces a lot of backspin and is quick enough to get around on a lot of fastballs while covering enough of the plate to spoil pitches on the outer third. Gibson fights off off-speed pitches more than he drives them at this point, but with continued exposure his recognition will improve. Gibson is also a bit raw on the base paths, but with continued instruction he should evolve into a dangerous threat in regards to the running game. He gets good jumps, but needs to work on reading pitchers a bit better. Coming into the system as a shortstop, Gibson has slid over to second base and is a bit rough right now in the field, still working on his reads on balls hit in his direction. However, due to his athleticism he’s been able to make up for the inexperience and use his range to his advantage. Two weeks into a season is only a glimpse, but if he continues to stay back on the ball Gibson should put together a nice summer with the Spinners and get solid experience under his belt. One thing to look for is how well he’ll adjust to getting pounded inside with fastballs the second time through the NYPL.

Dustin Richardson

The Line: After converting to the bullpen in the winter of 2008, Richardson has transitioned into his new role without much of a hitch. Overall, the lefty has thrown 42 1/3 innings covering 24 appearances out of the ‘pen for the Portland Sea Dogs and limited EL batters to a .187 average against, including a .175 average against left-handed batters. He’s also registered 32 of his 59 strikeouts on the season against lefties. Plagued by home runs as a starter last season with the Sea Dogs, (17 in 106 2/3 innings) Richardson has only given up 1 home run this season, and hitters generally haven’t been making solid contact against him. In his last 16 innings pitched, he’s fanned 26 batters, including 5 over 2 1/3 innings against Akron on June 12 and 4 in 2 innings on June 27 against New Hampshire. Richardson ranks second amongst EL relievers in strikeouts on the season and just outside the top 15 in the EL for all pitchers.

The View: Richardson had success as a starter in the lower levels of the Red Sox system, but struggled once he hit Double-A, but most long-term projections had him as a reliever down the line anyway due to his unrefined secondary pitches. As expected, the move to the bullpen has fit well with Richardson. An over-the-top lefty, he throws extremely downhill with the leverage generated from his 6’6’’ frame, and his 90-92 MPH fastball deceptively comes out of his delivery, which is where he picks up a lot of his strikeouts. The pitch has some late tailing action to it as well and he can turn it over from time to time. Batters are usually late on his fastball due to picking it up late out of his hand, and he’s able to spot it well and has the ability to elevate it out of the zone when he wants to. Richardson also features a curveball and a change-up, but he’s mostly used his curveball out of the ‘pen. Once more of a slurvy, loopy offering, he’s tightened up his curve to the point where it is about average, and he has been able to drop it in for strikes on hitters. Richardson has benefited from only going through opposing lineups once and his stuff has played up very well in this role. After putting up a solid first half of the season, he’s shown the promise of being a potential bullpen candidate at the major league level down the line. With the difficulties lefties have with his stuff, Richardson could find himself sliding into a lefty specialist role and should get a chance to prove himself at Triple-A sometime this summer.

Trending Up

After moving from the South Atlantic League to the Carolina League, Tim Federowicz has continued his offensive onslaught this season, starting off 10 for 24 with Salem while cracking 4 doubles and only going down on strikes 2 times. Known for his defense coming into the organization, Federowicz has begun to solidify himself offensively in the lower levels of the Red Sox system and has shown good power thus far, driving pitches with his short, quick stroke. Advanced defensively, it was always just a question of how fast his offensive game would round into form, and the results thus far have put him on the developmental fast track…Sticking with Salem catchers, Luis Exposito has hit in 9 of his last 10 games, going 15 for 41 in that stretch with 5 extra-base hits. Since starting off slow in April with a .719 OPS, Exposito has pushed his overall OPS to .794 with 2 months of solid baseball at the plate. The homerun totals are down from the 21 home runs he hit last season, but he’s walked 18 times in 217 at-bats after walking only 21 times in 417 at-bats last season…Chris Province has been steadily getting on track since a tough April and has enjoyed a strong June, limiting batters to a .220 average against while only giving up 4 earned runs in 16 innings of work. The right-handed sinker ball pitcher carries a 64.5% ground-ball rate on the season and ranks near the top of the organization in inducing groundballs. His low 90’s sinker dives through the strike zone and is especially tough to elevate when he keeps it in the lower third of the zone…Mark Wagner was recently promoted to Pawtucket after posting a .887 OPS with Portland through the first half of the season. Wagner’s overall game has been much improved this season, including his defense being more refined and his ability to handle off-speed pitches while in the batter’s box greatly improved as well.

Trending Down

Jon Still had a very rough June, going 12 for 99 while striking out 28 times and only walking 5 times in the month. Still has seen his season batting average dip to .219. He’s struggled with off-speed pitches and has been chasing them frequently out of the strike zone…Richie Lentz has had an injury-filled 2009 and has once again found himself on the DL with the Portland Sea Dogs. After pitching well in 2008 after his call up to the EL, Lentz has struggled with his control, walking 24 batters in 23 innings and giving up 22 earned runs on the season. Lentz has not been able to get into a groove all season due to his injuries and his velocity has been in the low-90’s after working in the mid-90’s much of last season…Chih-Hsien Chiang went 8 for 47 in June with only 1 extra-base hit. Chiang has had a tough time squaring pitches up and has looked overmatched during his tough month of June.

Dent has 4 hits and drives in 5 in Greenville win

7/1 Cup of Coffee: Happy Canada Day to all Canadian readers! Hopefully today will be a happier day for Red Sox fans than yesterday especially for those who made the trip to Baltimore. Syracuse blanked Pawtucket 12-0 on Tuesday. Enrique Gonzalez went 5 innings giving up 8 runs on 12 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 3. Rocky Cherry pitched 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Randor Bierd threw an inning allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 2. Jose Vaquedano pitched a clean inning with 2 strikeout. The PawSox offense managed just 3 hits in the game.

New Britain defeated Portland 9-5. Kason Gabbard retired just 1 hitter while allowing 7 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks. He had a strikeout. Blake Maxwell went 4.2 frames allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He fanned 6. Chris Province pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits. Andrew Dobies tossed 2 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits. He had 3 strikeouts. Jon Still went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBI.

Salem downed Lynchburg 13-4. Eammon Portice went 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 8 hits. He had 6 strikeouts. Jason Rice threw 2 innings giving up 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 5. Robert Coello threw 2 clean innings recording a strikeout. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI. Jason Place went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Mike Jones went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Yamaico Navarro went 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBI. Tim Federowicz went 2 for 5 with a home run and 2 runs scored. Kris Negron went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI.

Greenville defeated Charleston 13-4. Hunter Strickland threw 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He fanned 2. Fabian Williamson pitched 4 innings allowing a run on 2 hits. He struck out 4. Jared Stanley went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 3 RBI. Kade Keowen went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Oscar Tejeda went 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and a RBI. Ryan Dent went 4 for 5 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 5 RBI.

The Lowell-Oneonta game was postponed due to rain.

In rookie ball, the Rays downed the Red Sox 5-3. Roman Mendez threw 4 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 5. Swen Huijer went 1 inning allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. Pete Ruiz threw 2 innings giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 1. Michael Lennox pitched 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits. He struck out 3. Jose Garcia went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ivan Ochoa went 2 for 4.

Player of the Night: Ryan Dent who had 4 hits, a home run, 3 runs scored and 5 RBI