McKae throws 6 scoreless innings in Salem win

8/31 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket split a doubleheader with Scranton/WB on Sunday. The PawSox got off to a 5-0 lead in the first contest and cruised to a 5-3 win. Randor Bierd (2-1) started and went 5.1 innings to earn the victory. He gave up 2 runs on 5 hits and struck out 2. Fernando Cabrera earned his 21st save pitching the 9th inning, giving up a run on 2 hits and a walk. Mark Wagner went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Angel Chavez was 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs. The Yankees came back to win the nightcap, 6-1. Scranton scored 5 times in the bottom of the 6th to put the game away. Charlie Zink (5-15) threw 4.1 frames allowing a run on 4 hits and 4 walks. Hunter Jones went an inning, giving up 3 runs. Pawtucket's offense managed just 4 hits in the contest.

Portland dropped both games of a doubleheader to New Hampshire. In game one, Daisuke Matsuzaka started and gave up 5 runs in the first inning as the Sea Dogs went on to lose, 5-3. He managed a clean, 1-2-3 second inning before he was removed from the game. He ended up throwing 58 pitches. Chris Province threw 4 scoreless, 2-hit innings. Juan Apodaca went 1 for 2 with a home run and 2 RBI. In game two, New Hampshire downed Portland, 4-2. Felix Doubront (8-6) threw 5 innings, giving up all 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 4. Ryan Khoury went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI.

Salem won its third straight one-run game, downing Wilmington, 3-2. The win, coupled with Kinston's loss, moved the Red Sox into a 0.5-game lead for the final playoff spot in the Southern Division. Dave McKae pitched 6 strong, scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits. He faced just 19 hitters over the 6 innings and struck out 7 of them. Jon Hee homered in the 6th inning to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead but they trailed 2-1 going into the bottom of the 8th. Ryan Dent singled, stole second and scored on a 2-out single by Anthony Rizzo, who took second on the throw home. He then stole third and scored what proved to be the winning run on a wild pitch. Jason Blackey (1-0) earned the win, pitching the final 2 innings. He allowed a run on 3 hits and a walk. He fanned 2.

Lexington edged Greenville, 4-3, in a 12 inning marathon. Felix Ventura (2-7) was charged with the loss, giving up a walk with two out in the 12th. After the walk, he was replaced by Will Latimer, who allowed a single, a wild pitch and another single to end the game. Fabian Williamson started and went 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 5. The Drive outhit the Legends 12-9 in the contest. Pete Hissey went 4 for 6 with a run scored and an RBI. Ty Weeden went 3 for 5 with a triple and a run scored.

Ronald Bermudez singled home Drew Hedman in the bottom of the 8th with what proved to be the winning run in Lowell's 3-1 win over Brooklyn. The Spinners' magic number to clinch the Stedler Division now stands at 3. Pedro Perez started and gave up 1 run over 4 innings on 3 hits and 5 walks. Cesar Cabral (1-6) pitched 4 scoreless, 3-hit innings of middle relief to pick up the win. He allowed 1 walk while striking out 7. Jordan Flasher pitched the 9th to earn the save, getting out of a bases-loaded, 1-out jam. Derrik Gibson went 3 for 4 with a RBI. He also stole 2 bases, giving him a league-leading 27 for the season. He is just 1 short of the all-time Spinner record for stolen bases in a season. Hedman and Bermudez each had 2 hits in the game.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox saw their game canceled yet again. The team's final game of the season will be played Monday, weather-permitting of course.

Player of the Night: Dave McKae, who threw 6 scoreless innings, facing just 19 hitters and allowing just 2 hits in earning a no-decision for Salem.

Byrd makes 09 debut, McBeth back to Pawtucket

Apparently the second major league stint for Marcus McBeth in 2009 will be as uneventful as the first. With Tim Wakefield scratched from his scheduled start against Toronto this afternoon with a sore back, rehabbing starter Paul Byrd has been summoned from Triple-A Pawtucket to take his place in the rotation. To make room for Byrd, the aforementioned McBeth has been optioned to Pawtucket. McBeth had been recalled yesterday when Junichi Tazawa was optioned to the GCL Red Sox, but did not appear in last night's game. This will mark the second time on the season that McBeth has been called up, only to be sent back down the following day.

For Byrd, who went 0-2 with a 4.00 ERA in 4 rehab starts for the GCL and Pawtucket Red Sox, this will be his first major league start of 2009. After being acquired last August in exchange for outfielder Mickey Hall, Byrd went 4-2 with a 4.78 ERA in 8 starts down the stretch for Boston. A veteran of 13 major league seasons in which he has played for 7 different organizations, Byrd owns a career record of 108-93 with a 4.38 ERA in 338 games, including 250 starts.

Lavarnway hits 20th homer in 9-0 drubbing of Lexington

8/30 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket managed after a couple of hours of a rain delay to play 1 of their 2 scheduled games on Saturday. In that contest, they fell 3-0 to Scranton. Billy Traber (7-7) took the loss going 5 innings giving up all 3 runs. Dustin Richardson pitched 2 perfect innings of relief recording 3 strikeouts. The PawSox managed just 5 hits in the game and they were spread out over 5 frames. Chris Carter went 2 for 4 in the game.

New Hampshire edged Portland 7-6. Kris Johnson (0-2) gave up 7 runs on 9 hits and a walk in 4.1 innings. The Sea Dogs fell behind 2-0 after 1 inning but came back to tie the score in the 2nd on homers by Luis Exposito and Jason Place. By the fifth, the Fischer Cats had taken a 7-2 lead. The Sea Dogs rallied with 2 runs in the 7th and 2 more in the 9th on Jorge Jimenez's 2 run homer but the comeback fell just short. Jason Place went 3 for 4 with a homer and 2 runs scored. Luis Exposito and Iggy Suarez each had 2 hits in the game.

Salem fought back from a 3-0 deficit to edge Wilmington 4-3. Zach Borowiak scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th after he walked and advanced to third on a sacrifice and a wild pitch. After 2 intentional walks, Anthony Rizzo drove him home with a single. Kyle Weiland started and went 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Josh Papelbon (5-2) got the win pitching a scoreless 9th inning. He gave up a hit. Jon Hee led the offense going 3 for 4 with a run scored.

Greenville hammered Lexington 9-0. Ryan Lavarnway continued to swing a hot bat hitting his 20th homer of the season. Three Drive pitchers combined for the 5 hit shutout of the Legends. Stolmy Pimentel (10-7) started and threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits and 4 walks. He fanned 4. Lavarnway went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. Osacar Tejeda and Ty Weeden also had 3 hits each in the game.

Both the Lowell Spinners and the Gulf Coast League Red Sox saw their games cancelled due to rain.

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

Sox acquire Joey Gathright

According to Dan Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox have acquired outfielder Joey Gathright from Baltimore for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Gathright is expected to join Triple-A Pawtucket for the team's game tonight against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The speedy left-handed hitter had been hitting .329/.386/.376 with 24 steals in 31 opportunities for the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He had also appeared in the majors this season for the Chicago Cubs, hitting .214/.267/.214 in 14 at-bats. In parts of 8 minor league seasons, Gathright has accumulated a .317/.396/.367 line with 1 home run, 122 RBI and 221 steals.

McBeth gets the call, Tazawa sent to GCL

In a move designed to give the Red Sox more depth in the bullpen, Boston has called up Marcus McBeth from Triple-A Pawtucket and optioned Junichi Tazawa to the GCL Red Sox. With the GCL schedule set to end Monday, Tazawa is expected to be recalled as early as Tuesday. The Japanese rookie had gone 2-3 with a 6.65 ERA in 5 major league appearances, including 4 starts, striking out 12 in 21.2 innings. In 20 minor league starts in 2009 for Portland and Pawtucket, Tazawa has pitched to a 9-7 record with a 2.55 ERA.

For McBeth, this will be his second stint in the major leagues this season, having been called up initially on July 31 when Justin Masterson was sent to Cleveland, but sent down again a day later without making an appearance. He had previously seen time in the majors with Cincinnati, going 3-2 with a 5.95 ERA in 23 appearances. Claimed off waivers from the Reds in August, 2008, McBeth has pitched to a 2-2 record with a 2.70 ERA in 42 games out of the Pawtucket bullpen, striking out 62 in 63.1 innings.

September Reinforcements

With roster expansion just three days away, look for Boston to add several players to the active major league roster in the coming days. Some players will be activated off the disabled list, others will be pulled right out of Pawtucket - either on September 1, or shortly after the final PawSox game on September 7.

Disabled List
Boston has three players on the disabled list that could make contributions to the big league club in the last month of the season. George Kottaras’ rehab stint in Triple-A ended Friday, and he is expected to be activated on September 1. Daisuke Matsuzaka will make a rehab start in Double-A on Sunday, and he's tentatively slated to return to Boston’s rotation on September 9 or 10. When he's ready to return, Matsuzaka will need to be activated from the 60-day DL, meaning he’ll take one of Boston’s two open 40-man spots. Jed Lowrie is presently rehabbing in Pawtucket, and may or may not return to major league action this year. If he does, it likely wouldn’t be until mid-September at the earliest.

September 1
Four or five players seem like locks to join Boston’s active roster after rosters expand on September 1. Michael Bowden is eligible to be called up again on September 1 after he was optioned to Pawtucket on August 22. He last pitched for the PawSox on Wednesday. He may get one more start for Pawtucket on Monday or Tuesday, but it’s a safe bet he will be back with the big club on September 1 or shortly thereafter. Boston will also likely want to add Jeff Bailey’s bat to the bench as soon as possible. Similarly, Brian Anderson will add outfield depth and a righty bat off the bench. Paul Byrd is slated to make one more Triple-A start on Saturday, and should be activated soon thereafter, taking Boston’s other open 40-man spot. Last, we expect that Josh Reddick will be called up before September 4 to avoid burning an option year for 2009.

September 8
Pawtucket’s season ends following an afternoon game in Syracuse on September 7 (Boston plays in Chicago that afternoon). The PawSox are not in the International League playoff hunt, so look for a few more players already on the 40-man roster to join the big club following the conclusion of the PawSox’ season. That list of candidates includes Hunter Jones, Marcus McBeth, Aaron Bates, Dusty Brown, and Mark Wagner. One of Jones or McBeth could get the call to provide some reserves in the Boston bullpen. For the catchers, if past history is any indication, expect that only one of either Brown or Wagner will get the call, and defense will be the determinative factor. Bates could be blocked by the glut of first base options presently available in Boston. Outside possibilities not currently on the 40-man roster include Fernando Cabrera, Javier Lopez, Dustin Richardson, Enrique Gonzalez, Billy Traber, Travis Denker, Chris Woodward, Gil Velazquez, and Angel Chavez. The Sox may have a brief window between September 1 and whenever Matsuzaka is activated to temporarily add one of these players to the 40-man, and Cabrera seems to be a logical candidate. If Lowrie is not able to play for Boston again this year, he could also be moved to the 60-day DL, opening another spot on the 40-man roster.

Two players from the 40-man roster that we do not expect to get the call are Felix Doubront and Chris Carter. Doubront, 21, is presently pitching for Portland, and likely wouldn’t have any role with the big club this season. Carter has reportedly been sent to the Mets as part of the Billy Wagner deal, but the transaction hit a snag after the Yankees used the waiver process to block the deal from being finalized until the end of the season. The Sox and Mets are apparently looking for creative ways to send Carter to New York for September 1, which would clear another space on Boston’s roster and allow Carter to get some big league service time for the injury-depleted Mets this season.

Lavarnway homers twice in Drive win

8/29 Cup of Coffee: On Friday, both Pawtucket and the Gulf Coast Red Sox saw their games wiped out by bad weather.

In the Eastern League, New Hampshire downed Portland 6-2. Blake Maxwell (5-8) took the loss giving up 6 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Richie Lentz pitched 2 scoreless, hitless innings. Derrick Loop threw a 1-2-3 9th. Daniel Nava scored both Sea Dog runs. He scored in the first on a RBI single by Lars Anderson and again in the 8th on a Jorge Jimenez single. Daniel Nava went 1 for 2 in the game with 2 walks. After 21 games in AA, he is hitting .413 and has a OBP of .511.

The Salem Red Sox split a doubleheader with Wilmington. The Red Sox lost the first game 3-0. Wilmington scored 3 runs in the 4th inning on 2 doubles and 3 singles. Seth Garrison (8-11) threw 7 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. He did not give up a walk and fanned 3. Kyle Fernandes pitched 2 scoreless frames. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 4. Salem came back to take the second contest 1-0. The only run in the game came in the bottom of the 4th when with 1 out, Brad Correll reached second on a 2 base error by Wilmington right fielder Nick Van Stratten. Correll then scored on a single by Jered Stanley. The Blue Rocks staged a mild threat in the 9th inning when Jason Blackey walked a batter and hit another. He then induced the next hitter to hit into a game ending double play. Jose Cappellan (6-3) picked up the win throwing 5 scoreless innings allowing 5 hits and a walk. He fanned 3. Zack Borowiak went 2 for 2 in the game.

Ryan Lavarnway's 2 home runs and 4 RBI led Greenville to a 7-5 win over Kannapolis. He now leads the Drive in home runs this season with 19. That is the third most in team history, just 2 behind the record shared by Jon Still and John Otness. Caleb Clay (5-6) turned in a strong performance to earn the win. He allowed just 2 runs on 3 hits over 5 innings. Will Middlebrooks extended his hitting streak to 13 games going 1 for 2. Pete Hissey went 2 for 4 to extend his streak to 10 games. Zach Gentile and Oscar Tejeda each had 2 hits in the game. The Lowell Sun is reporting that Manager Gary DiSarsina said that Westmoreland had messed up his left collarbone.

Hudson Valley scored 2 runs in the top of the 8th inning to stage a come from behind 4-3 win over Lowell. Jose Alvarez was in line for his record setting team win when he left the game after going 6 innings allowing just 2 runs on 7 hits. He fanned 7. Michael Bugary (2-1) entered in the 7th and in the inning Ryan Westmoreland made a great catch to preserve the lead. Unfortunately, Westmoreland broke his collarbone running into a wall in the outfield later in the game. He will miss the remainder of hte season and the Fall Instuctional League, but should be good to go for 2010 spring training. In the 8th inning, Hudson Valley scored 3 times on a combination of 2 singles, 2 sacrifice bunts and an error off Bugary and Dennis Neuman to take the lead. Wilfred Pichardo, Drew Hedman and Ken Roque each had 2 hits in the game.

Plyer of the Night: Ryan Lavarnway who had 2 home runs and 4 RBI in the Drive win

Nava drives in 4 in Sea Dog win

8/28 Cup of Coffee: On Thursday, Pawtucket led 2-1 in the 7th inning when they scored 5 runs to break open a close game and go on to a 7-1 win over Buffalo. Adam Mills (1-1) went 7 innings allowing just 1 run on 5 hits. He struck out 2. Travis Denker led the offense going 3 for 4. His three hits included a double and a triple. He scored 2 runs and drove in 3 more.

Portland scored a run in the top of the 9th to edge Binghamton 8-7. With 1 out, Lars Anderson doubled. He was replaced by pinch runner, Matt Sheely. Luis Exposito then doubled to drive in what proved to be the winning run. Daniel Nava went 3 for 5 with a run scored and 4 RBI. His hits were all doubles. He is now hitting .411. Lars Anderson went 3 for 5 with a home run. Jason Place also went 3 for 5. Chad Rhoades (5-2) got the win but not before he was charged with a blown save. He threw 1.1 innings of relief giving up 3 runs on 3 hits. Bryce Cox earned his 11th save pitching a scoreless 9th.

Winston-Salem scored 3 times in the top of the 8th inning to stage a come from behind 4-3 win over the Salem Red Sox. Stephen Fife started the game and went 6 strong innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 5. Armando Zerpa (1-3) was charged with the loss. He gave up a 3 run homer in the 8th which gave the Dash their margin of victory. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Chih-Hsien Chiang had a 2 run double in 4 at bats.

Kannapolis downed Greenville 7-3. Brock Huntzinger (8-9) started and went 3.2 frames. He gave up 6 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Casey Kelly went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Pete Hissey went 3 for 5 and scored a run. Alex Hassan went 2 for 4 with a home run.

Lowell scored 3 times in the 1st inning and held on for a 3-2 win over Hudson Valley. In the first with 1 out, Derrik Gibson singled and Ryan Westmoreland walked. Michael Almanzar then doubled to drive in both runners. Drew Hedman then hit an infiled single advancing Almanzar to third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by William Holmes. Alex Wilson started the game and pitched 3 scoreless, 1 hit innings. He struck out 3. In 33 innings this year, he has recorded 30 strikeouts and allowed just 9 hits. Cesare Angeloni (1-0) picked up the win throwing 3 scoreless 1 hit innings of relief. Jordan Flasher earned his 1st save pitching a 1-2-3 9th inning. The Spinners now hold a 4.5 game lead in the Stedler Division.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox were not scheduled to play yesterday.

Player of the Night: Daniel Nava who had 3 doubles driving in 4 runs in the Sea Dog win. He is now hitting .411.

Penny released to make room for Wagner

According to John Tomase of the Boston Herald, righthanded starter Brad Penny asked for and was granted his release from the Red Sox last night, a move that will make room for the recently acquired Billy Wagner on the 25-man roster. Penny went 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA in 24 starts for Boston, striking out 89, walking 42 and allowing 160 hits in 131.2 innings, after signing a one-year $5 million contract during the off-season. The deal also included up to $3 million in incentives, all of which Penny failed to reach during his time with the Red Sox. A veteran of ten major league seasons with Florida, Los Angeles and Boston, Penny owns a career record of 101-83 with a 4.18 ERA in 269 starts.

Q&A with Jason McLeod

As Boston's Director of Amateur Scouting, Jason McLeod has been the man in charge of the Red Sox draft board since 2005. In his first two drafts (2005 and 2006), McLeod drafted and signed ten players that have gone on to play in the majors, including Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz, and Daniel Bard. The Sox have also drafted a number of intriguing prospects on McLeod's watch, including Casey Kelly, Josh Reddick, Ryan Kalish, Lars Anderson, Michael Bowden, and Ryan Westmoreland. This year, McLeod managed to sign twenty-six of Boston's fifty 2009 draft picks prior to the August 17 signing deadline, and Jim Callis of Baseball America rated the Red Sox 2009 draft haul as the fifth best draft class in the league, stating that Boston "lived up to its reputation as the most aggressive team in the draft." Despite recently being quarantined with the swine flu, McLeod graciously took the time to answer some questions from Mike Andrews and the staff of SoxProspects.com.

Mike Andrews: You reportedly brought several players into Fenway for private workouts just before the draft. What is that process like? Is it mostly about getting one last look at a player, talking numbers, and getting physical examinations taken care of?
Jason McLeod: The private workouts at Fenway aren’t necessarily geared toward evaluations. You need to be careful not to place too much emphasis on evaluating the Pre-Draft workouts because there are a myriad of factors that could skew a player's performance in these private settings. We like inviting players to Fenway as it gives us an opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with them, try to get to know them a little better as a person, etc. As Scouting Director, the games I attend around the country are usually crowded with other scouts, so often times I will not get to personally meet with players. Bringing them to Fenway allows me to look them in the eye and ask them direct questions about themselves. It's a bonus to see how they react in a major league setting, but we don’t place a whole lot of emphasis on evaluating at the private workouts.

MA: Did you find that many of the “signability” players went a lot earlier in the draft this year than they had in previous years? If so, was there a point in the draft that you felt like that you had to significantly adjust your approach to drafting such players?
JM: We’ve seen over the past two years players who were considered tough signs being taken in earlier rounds. We do employ certain strategies when lining up our board, but it’s a fine line to walk because you must stay true to your evaluations and the information that our area scouts have obtained in order to correctly identify and select those players in the Draft.

MA: It’s been reported that the front office was blown away by Reymond Fuentes in pre-draft workouts. What aspects of his game gave you this impression? Do you see his power and arm strength progressing a lot in the future?
JM: Those reports aren’t fully accurate as Reymond also played very well for us during games. He just so happened to have strong workouts as well. Puerto Rico doesn’t have a normal high school baseball schedule like we do here in the States. The majority of games are played on weekends for club teams or during tournaments like the Excellence Games. Because Reymond’s speed has been well-documented, I believe it was assumed we drafted an athlete who will have to learn the finer points of the game. However, we felt all along that we were drafting a baseball player who can already hit and just so happens to already be an 80 runner. I don’t expect Reymond to ever lead a league in home runs, but he does have whip in his bat and will be able to drive the ball into the gaps with home run power as he matures. He has arm strength currently, but will need to work on lengthening out his throwing stroke to get the most out of it, and this is something that will be part of his daily development.

MA: How do college relievers Alex Wilson and Kendal Volz compare to some of the college relievers drafted by the Sox in previous years?
JM: Both Alex and Kendal spent the majority of their college careers as starters and this is how they will be developed entering their professional careers. Alex is off to a great start in Lowell being on our first year pitching progression and Kendal will not throw until the Instructional League. They are different in style from each other and from others we have drafted in the past. Alex has a bulldog mentality with an attacking style, while Kendal has more of a controlled aggressive approach.

MA: There’s obviously a lot to like about third-round pick David Renfroe. Please tell us about his skill set and what factors may be determinative regarding whether he will play shortstop or third base down the line.
JM: David is a quality athlete with easy actions on the field. He was the quarterback of a very successful high school program in Mississippi, with his only loss in two seasons coming in the state championship game of his senior season. He had multiple inquiries from D-1 programs to play football, and Houston Nutt wanted him to walk on at Ole Miss. On the baseball diamond, he was a legitimate two-way prospect, with many teams liking him as a right-handed pitcher. We believe he has the skill set to be a premium defender, along with the barrel control and future strength to hit for average and power. He’s nearly 200 pounds, so his lower half mobility will be one of the determining factors of whether he stays at short or moves to third base. He’s never been able to concentrate on one position - or one sport for that matter - so we are looking forward to his future development.

MA: Outfielders Jeremy Hazelbaker and Shannon Wilkerson were both selected in the top ten rounds, and both have spent time in Lowell and Greenville this season. What impresses you most about these two players and what areas might they need to work on?
JM: Both players are athletic and can play in the middle of the diamond, in centerfield. Shannon put up big numbers at Augusta State, garnering a lot of post-season accolades. We like his strength, athleticism, and aptitude with the ability to hit. Coming from a small college, he plays with a bit of a “something to prove” attitude that we like. Jeremy is just coming into his own as a baseball player. He was moved to the outfield his junior year, so he’s still learning the nuances of the position. He’s another kid who’s athleticism and speed stuck out, and he also happened to have a strong performance last summer which carried into the spring. Both are going to have to make the normal adjustments to the wood bat and fine tune the skill set that will allow their athleticism and natural ability to play up.

MA: Many readers are curious about the process of drafting the “tough-to-sign” players like Branden Kline and Luke Bard. Prior to the draft, is it more often the case that these players tell the team: (1) that they’re inclined to sign for the right number; or (2) that they’re planning on heading to school, and you just need to change their minds?
JM: Situations vary ... we strive to make the right selections with the information in front of us on Draft day. We understand there are going to be times when that information changes, and unfortunately it will change sometimes after selecting a player. We never begrudge a kid who has an opportunity to go to college and wants that experience. If there is a situation where a player tells us flat out that he’s not going to sign, then we won’t make him a priority in the early rounds. In those instances, we’d be more inclined to take a “flyer” on him somewhere deeper in the Draft.

MA: Please tell us a little bit about seventh-round pick Madison Younginer. What does he need to work on to become a Major League starting pitcher?
JM: Madison is strong and athletic with plenty of arm strength and the ability to spin a tight curveball. He wasn’t used in a traditional starting role like most high school kids. On one hand, it’s a good thing as we know he has a fresh arm and wasn’t abused by his coaches. On the other, he doesn’t have the innings under his belt the majority of high school kids his age would normally have. He will be on the same development path with the same goals in mind as all of our pitching prospects: fastball command, incorporation of his off-speed pitches for strikes, and consistency in repeating his delivery.

MA: It seems as if you took more shots on power potential guys this year in players like Seth Schwindenhammer, Brandon Jacobs, Willie Holmes, and Miles Head. Was this part of a concerted effort to interject some power into the system, or did they just happen to be the best players available at the time?
JM: We liked all of their abilities to hit, and it just so happened that they all have power as well. There is a need for power in our system, but we don’t line up our board based solely on that premise. Seth has gotten off to a tough start in the GCL, which isn’t that uncommon for a cold weather high school kid. We felt good with our evaluations of Jacobs and Head during the spring, and Willie Holmes performed well in a JuCo conference in Southern California.

MA: After initially drafting Alex Hassan as a pitcher, what inspired the Sox to sign and use him as an outfielder?
JM: Alex had performed well in the ACC over the past two years as a position player. The one area he didn’t put up big numbers was in the power department, but Duke is one of the tougher parks to hit home runs in the ACC. We drafted him as a pitcher because we liked how his arm worked, and we felt that he had a chance to work with 3 average pitches. Over the summer, Alex took batting practice at Fenway and played in our Summer Classic game, and he performed well at the plate. He continued swinging a hot bat out on the Cape, and as we watched him more, we determined that he had a chance to make more of an impact as an athletic right handed hitting outfielder.

MA: You've had a lot of big draft hits in recent years, but there have also been the inevitable few misses on players that just seem to quickly discover that professional baseball is not their thing. I'm sure there is a process in place to get to know these players and their aspirations before they are drafted. Has that process changed at all over the past five years? Or is this something that's largely left up to the individual scouts?
JM: We have a process in place that is constantly being tweaked and updated. Ascertaining the makeup of a player is one of the hardest things - if not the hardest thing - that we do as scouts. As much as it hurts to miss on a player's on-field ability, it hurts even more when you whiff on the makeup. We place a huge amount of responsibility on our area scouts to tell us who the “person” is that we are potentially drafting and whether his makeup will help or hinder him in his development. However, the logistics of the amateur scouting season make it tough to get the necessary time spent with an individual player to feel you have his makeup 100% locked down. Baseball is the only sport that holds its draft during the season. The majority of high-profile players are trying to compete in their seasons and do class work, all while thirty scouts are calling them weekly. I could see where a player would be less than fully forthright with information, just because it is a lot for them to deal with and can be a strain on their time. Saying that, it is still our responsibility to make sure we gather as much information as possible about all potential draftees.

MA: Two years ago, we asked you about whether funds that were reportedly “earmarked” for Roger Clemens might be used to sign some additional draftees, and your answer seemingly rejected that proposition outright. In a similar vein, how does Boston’s spending in the international free agent market affect the team's decisions in signing draftees (if at all), particularly in a year like this when a good deal of money was spent on international signees like Jose Iglesias and Jose Vinicio?
JM: Our ownership gives us tremendous support to sign the best players possible through all departments in the organization. I can tell you that you won’t find Craig Shipley and I fighting over who we can or can’t sign.

MA: We've heard a lot of suggestions on revamping the baseball draft from the likes of Baseball America and ESPN, who have suggested ideas such as implementing a mandatory slotting system, moving the signing deadline to July, allowing teams to maintain drafted high school players' rights through the early years of college, eliminating compensation picks, allowing draft picks to be traded, and instituting a worldwide draft. There's apparently an exploratory committee overseeing these issues, and some of these ideas may or may not make it to the bargaining table when CBA negotiations get underway in the fall of 2011. Are there any ideas that you feel strongly about? If it were up to you, any ideas on how you'd like to fix the draft?
JM: Many people have argued that the Draft is not working as intended, and this is going to be a hot button topic when the next CBA comes up after the 2011 season. I’m sure a lot of us involved in the game, particularly with the Amateur Draft, have thoughts and ideas, and I look forward to having those discussions at the appropriate time.

Chih-Hsien Chiang's 3 doubles lead Salem to win

8/27 Cup of Coffee: On Wednesday, Pawtucket downed Buffalo 3-2. Michael Bowden started and pitched 6 strong innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks. Hunter Jones (4-3) threw 3 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the victory. He allowed just 1 hit. The PawSox scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th when with 1 out, Angel Chavez doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He then scored on a Josh Reddick sacrifice fly. Dusty Brown went 2 for 4 in the game with a run scored and a RBI. Jed Lowrie left the game after 1 at bat due to discomfort in his repaired wrist. It was termed a precautionary measure.

Binghamton edged Portland 3-2. The Sea Dogs took a 2-1 lead in the 6th on a Ryan Kalish double and a Ryan Khoury single. In the bottom of the 7th, however, the Mets regained the lead for good when they responded with a 2 run homer. Ryne Miller started and went 5 innings giving up 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 8. Tommy Hottovy (0-2) entered the game in the 6th and was charged with the blown save and the loss. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and a run scored. Daniel Nava and Ryan Khoury each had 2 hits in the game.

Salem scored 3 times in the bottom of the third to overcome a 2-1 deficit and they went on to post a 8-5 win over Winston-Salem. Eammon Portice (7-7) threw 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He fanned 7. Chih-Hsien Chiang went 3 for 4 with 3 doubles, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Zach Borowiak went 3 for 4 in the game. Che-Hsuan Lin had 2 hits in the game and stole his 24th and 25th bases of the season. The win moved Salem to within 1/2 game of the Division lead.

Kannapolis got off to a 7-0 lead and coasted to a 8-6 win over Greenville. Jeremy Kehrt (1-1) went 5 innings giving up 7 runs 5 of which were earned on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. The Drive staged a mild threat in the 9th when Oscar Tejeda walked follwed by singles by Ryan Dent and Pete Hissey. Tejeda and Dent scored on an error by the Intimidators third baseman. Alex Hassan led the offense going 2 for 3 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

With the score knotted at 2 in the 7th inning, Ronald Bermudez doubled and then scored on a Wilfred Pichardo double to give Lowell the margin of victory in a 3-2 win over Aberdeen. Drake Britton made the start and threw 3 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit and a walk. He struck out 3. Ryan Pressly (6-3) took over and pitched 4 innings giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 10. Dennis Neuman pitched a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his 6th save. Ronald Bermudez led the offense going 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox won the completion of the August 21 game downing the Orioles 7-0. Drake Britton's name appeared today as the starter for two different teams. He, however, started the game on the 21st of August and threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings before the game was halted. He was later promoted to Lowell. Pete Ruiz (3-2) took up the reins yesterday and pitched 5 scoreless innings on 5 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 4. Boss Moanaroa led the offense going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI. Both of his RBI cameon a first inning single. In the regularly scheduled game, Oriole pitchers held the Sox offense to just 1 hit and posted a 2-1 win over the Red Sox. The Orioles scored twice in the 5th inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit. The Sox had taken the lead in the third when Tyler Yockey singled and advanced to third on a walk and a wild pitch. He then scored on a ground out to the second baseman. Randy Consuegra (4-4) started and took the loss allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in 4.2 innings.

Player of the Night: Chih-Hsien Chiang who hit 3 doubles, scored 2 times and drove in 2 others

Gonzalez designated for assignment as Wakefield returns

For the second time this month, Enrique Gonzalez has been designated for assignment, this time to make room on the active roster for Tim Wakefield, this according to Chad Finn of Boston.com. Wakefield is scheduled to start tonight against Chicago at Fenway Park. Gonzalez had appeared in 1 game during this latest stint with Boston, firing 2.0 scoreless frames against New York on August 22. In 2 major league appearances in 2009 spanning 3.2 innings total, the 27-year-old righthander has allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 1. He has gone 7-11 with a 5.23 ERA in 23 games for Triple-A Pawtucket, fanning 94 in 127.1 innings. Wakefield, who has gone 11-3 with a 4.31 ERA for Boston so far in 2009, has been on the disabled list since July 21 with back and calf problems. He went 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 2 rehab starts at Pawtucket, striking out 7 in 9.1 innings.

The Ladder- 8.26.09

Kyle Weiland

The Line: Covering his last 53 2/3 innings of work, Weiland has been shutting down opposing lineups with regularity, giving up 46 hits while striking out 54 batters and only allowing 12 earned runs. The right-handed starter has really turned it up in August, going 3-1 thus far while batters have hit just .218 against him, and he hasn’t allowed a home run since May. On August 18 against Lynchburg, he fired 5 1/3 innings scattering 6 hits and striking out 6 to pick up the win. Weiland followed that up with 6 scoreless innings on August 24 against Winston-Salem, fanning a season high 10 batters and allowing 2 hits in Salem’s 7-0 win. He’s currently riding a personal 3-game win streak and has now given up 112 hits in 118 2/3 innings on the season after a tough April.

The View: Weiland has made strong adjustments over the course of the season, mainly keeping his stuff down after living too high in the strike zone during the month of April. Featuring a 92-94 MPH sinking fastball with late life, he’s a much more effective pitcher when he is pounding the zone early with his fastball to get ahead of opposing batters, setting up his sharp 9/3 curveball and developing change-up. Weiland’s fastball has darting, downward action and is very tough on batters when he is spotting it on the corners and finishing the pitch down around the knees. The pitch is difficult to lift when he is consistently on top of it and throwing downhill. His secondary offerings are more of a work in progress, but each shows plus potential with added consistency. Weiland sometimes has trouble finishing his curve and keeping consistent arm speed on his change-up, but the pitches have been improving as the season has progressed and his confidence in them has grown. A groundball pitcher, he has the velocity on his fastball to challenge batters from time to time when he is ahead in the count, but cannot consistently live up in the zone. He can also struggle at times to stay ahead of batters, as seen in his rough April. A converted college closer, Weiland has taken well to his new role as a starting pitcher since joining the Red Sox organization in the summer of 2008 and has demonstrated the ability to go deep into games, while consistently holding his fastball velocity. A fierce competitor on the mound, he goes right after batters and has been able to effectively pitch inside early in his professional career, one of his main strengths given the movement on his fastball. Entering the season, there were questions about how he would project as a pitcher down the line. Thus far, he has proven that he can handle his current role as a starting pitcher, and looks to be a factor as a starter when he reaches the Double-A level next season (or potentially beyond with continued sharpening of his secondary repertoire).

Alex Wilson

The Line: Wilson is off to a strong start in his first 30 professional innings, giving up a miniscule 8 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 27 batters and only issuing 7 walks. Batters have hit .082 against the right-handed pitcher, and he has yet to give up a home run. Wilson dominated Batavia in 3 scoreless innings on August 9, surrendering only 1 hit and fanning 4 batters. Against Oneonta on August 22, he pitched 3 hitless innings while striking out 2. Wilson has been especially tough in August, allowing only 2 hits over 12 innings of work.

The View: After coming off a college season filled with mixed results, the second-round draft pick has been dominating the NYPL, which given his age and stuff shouldn’t be overly surprising. Wilson’s two best offerings are a low 90s fastball that has topped out at 94 thus far and an 81-83 MPH slider with plus potential. Moving his fastball in and out to batters, he’s able to command both sides of the plate and elevate it when he needs to push past hitters with a little something extra. He’s primarily been sitting 92-93 with his fastball and has been limited to 40 pitches per outing after a heavy workload at Texas A+M. Prior to having Tommy John surgery in 2008, Wilson’s heater worked more in the mid-90’s and topped out around 97 MPH. His command of the pitch has been above average upon entering the professional ranks, and there is a chance some more velocity will return as he continues to strengthen his arm. An uptick in velocity would greatly enhance the effectiveness of his fastball and move it more into an overpowering category. Wilson’s slider has been a good offering for him, but there is some room for sharpening the pitch, and at times it has looked more like a sweeping slider rather than one that darts hard out of the strike zone. As he advances to higher levels within the system, this will be a pitch that will need some more development to become a true out pitch for him. The Red Sox have Wilson working on a starter’s schedule right now, with the intention of stretching him out and beginning his progression in that role. He has currently been working a change-up into his repertoire and has been starting to get the feel for throwing the pitch. Wilson also features a curveball, but he has thrown it with less frequency in his time at Lowell. Considered a bit of a tweener right now, his ability to develop his change-up will determine his future role. Wilson has looked sharp in his 40-pitch stints, but it won’t be until next season -when he starts to go deeper into games - that a good picture of how he will project will come into focus.

Trending Up

After spending the first part of the season with the Salem Red Sox, Lowell’s Jose Alvarez has found his groove pitching regularly for the Spinners and was recently rewarded as an All-Star in the NYPL All-Star Game. The left-handed starter has gone 7-3 with a 1.54 ERA in 12 appearances and recently tied the record for most wins in a season by a Lowell pitcher. Alvarez features an 88-91 MPH fastball with slightly above-average command. His low 70’s straight change-up is his best offering and is extremely deceptive on batters due to his arm action. Alvarez also mixes in a mid 70’s curveball that can show sharp break at times, but can also be a little inconsistent. He’ll need to continue to be fine with his pitches as he moves back up to full-season baseball next season, but also shows some potential to fill out his frame some more and add some velocity in the process…Daniel Nava has been red hot since his promotion to Portland, clubbing 4 home runs in 63 at-bats along with posting an 1.214 OPS. Hampered with an injury that delayed the start to his season, Nava has ramped back into form and picked up where he left off after winning the California League batting title last season with the Lancaster Jethawks…Spinners outfielder Wilfred Pichardo has been locked in at the plate in August and is currently 15 for his last 40 with 12 runs scored, 8 stolen bases, and 10 runs batted in during the stretch. Pichardo has been staying back on the ball much better after jumping out and lunging at pitches in the beginning of the season. He’s shown some nice signs of improvement at the plate as the season has gone along. The fastest player in the Red Sox organization, he uses his wheels to his advantage by slashing at pitches, but has also been driving the ball a little bit more as he has settled in. Defensively, Pichardo gets good jumps on the ball in the outfield and has shown a good arm.

Trending Down

Josh Reddick has found the initial transition to Triple-A to be a tough one, as he has started 6 for 46 with only 1 extra-base hit. He’s been rolling over a lot of balls in the early going and hasn’t found his timing at the plate yet. Reddick is still working on his approach at the plate, which made strong strides in Double-A this season, but will need to focus more on driving the ball the other way on pitches running away from him…Lars Anderson’s difficult season has extended into August as he is just 6 for 39 in the month. Anderson has struggled for most of the season with his balance and has not been driving the ball with much consistency for much of the season. He only has 8 extra-base hits in July and August, and hasn’t homered since mid-June…Jeremy Hazelbaker has found the South Atlantic League to be a bit tough and is now hitting .192 in 125 at-bats. The 2009 fourth-round pick has been adjusting to professional pitching and has been challenged with top competition each night after playing his college baseball at Ball State.

Segovia drives in 3 in Salem win

8/26 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket fell 8-5 to Lehigh Valley in 12 innings. The Iron Pigs scored 3 times in the 12th on 3 walks, a hit batter, an error and an infield hit. Jose Vaquedano (4-2) took the loss. He pitched the 11th and 12th innings. The PawSox hit 4 home runs in the game. Jed Lowrie had 2 of them with Aaron Bates and Jeff Bailey having one apiece.

Portland downed Binghampton 3-1. Lefthander Felix Doubront (8-5) went 6 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. The Sea Dogs had 13 hits in the game. With the score tied at 1-1 in the 5th inning, Daniel Nava singled and drove in Yamaico Navarro with what proved to be the winning run. He scored an insurance run in the 8th being driven in by Jorge Jimenez after doubling to lead off the inning. Bryce Cox earned his 10th save of the season pitching a scoreless 9th. Nava went 3 for 5 with a RBI.

Salem scored 3 times in the bottom of the 8th inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit and held on to edge Winston-Salem 4-3. Kyle Fernandes (5-3) got the win in relief of starter Dave McKae who had given up 2 runs in 6 innings. Fernandes allowed a run on 3 hits in 2 innings of work. Luis Segovia was the offensive star for Salem going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI. William Vazquez went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Kannapolis scored 2 runs in the top of the 8th to stage a come from behind 4-3 win over Greenville. Kyle Rutter (0-1) made his debut for Greenville and was charged with a blown save and the loss. He gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. Shannon Wilkerson went 2 for 5 and scored a run.

The Spinners broke the game open scoring 4 runs in the top of the 9th on way to an 8-2 win over Aberdeen. Yeiper Castillo (5-1) started and earned the win going 5 innings. He allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 6. Cesare Cabral earned his 4th save pitching 4 clean innings. He fanned 4. Ryan Westmoreland went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. He also had 2 stolen bases.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Twins edged the Red Sox 5-4. They scored the winning run in the bottom of the 8th when with 2 out, shortstop Jose Garcia's error allowed a runner to reach first. The next hitter drove in the winning run with a double. The Red Sox threatened in the bottom of the 9th when Felix Sanchez walked and stole second with 1 out. Both Carson Blair and Miles Head then struck out to end the threat. Michael Lennox (2-2) took the loss allowing a run on 1 hit. Felix Sanchez went 2 for 4 and scored twice. Carson Blair went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI.

Player of the Night: Luis Segovia who went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI in Salem's win

Players of the Week, August 17-23: Wilfred Pichardo & Adam Mills

Last week's players of the week voting saw one clear winner, Lowell's Wilfred Pichardo for Player of the Week, and one nail-biter as Pawtucket's Adam Mills edged Portland's Andrew Dobies by a single vote for Pitcher of the Week. Pichardo battered the opposition, posting a .450/.542/.600 line in 20 at-bats over 5 games with 3 doubles, 7 RBI, 8 runs and, most notably, 7 stolen bases, while Mills made the most of two starts (Aug. 19 at Gwinnett and Aug. 22 against Lehigh Valley) allowing 2 runs on 9 hits in 13 innings-pitched, striking out 10 while walking only 1. Mills allowed both runs at Gwinnett. In three starts with Pawtucket since being promoted August 9, Mills is 0-1, allowing 7 earned runs on 18 hits over 15 innings pitched, for a 4.20 ERA and .310 opponents average. He is 10-6 with a 4.24 ERA, allowing 59 earned runs on 139 hits in 125.1 innings pitched over 23 starts combined with Portland and Pawtucket. Pichardo is batting .296/.348/.383 with 2 home runs, 10 doubles, 1 triple and has stolen 23 bases in 31 attempts. He also was named New York-Penn League Player of the Week for the same period.

Four Sox confirmed for AFL

Arizona Fall League rosters have been announced, and four Red Sox prospects will be suiting up with the Mesa Solar Sox when play begins on October 13. According to Baseball America, pitchers Dustin Richardson and Chris Province, catcher Luis Exposito, and outfielder Ryan Kalish are all confirmed participants. The Sox will also send two additional pitchers and two infielders that will be announced at a later date.

Richardson (pictured) has enjoyed a fine season split between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, going a combined 2-2 with a 2.62 ERA in his first full season as a reliever, striking out 83 in 65.1 innings. Chris Province has had a nice season of his own out of the Portland bullpen, putting up a 2-4 record with a 2.94 ERA in 70.1 innings pitched. Exposito, meanwhile, began the season in High-A Salem and compiled a .271/.329/.424 line with 6 home runs in 76 games before earning a promotion to Portland. He has put up even better numbers since then, pummeling the Eastern League to the tune of .361/.381/.492 in 15 games so far. It's been a similar ride for Ryan Kalish in 2009, as the 21-year-old outfielder hit a robust .304/.434/.504 with 5 home runs in 32 games for Salem before earning his promotion to Double-A. Since then, Kalish has found his home-run stroke, hitting .271/.334/.421 with 10 long balls in 89 games for Portland.

The AFL season runs from early October through mid-November, and is generally reserved for highly regarded prospects who the organization is looking to advance in the upcoming season. For more information about the AFL, check the SoxProspects.com Wiki.

Mets, Sox agree on Wagner deal

According to Boston.com's Tony Massarotti, the Red Sox have agreed to send two players to be named later to the New York Mets in exchange for 38-year-old reliever Billy Wagner, who has reportedly agreed to waive his no-trade clause. The hard-throwing lefthander has pitched in just 2 games so far this season for the Mets after returning from Tommy John surgery, striking out 4 and walking 1 in 2.0 hitless innings. In his fifteen-year major league career with Houston, Philadelphia and New York, Wagner has gone 39-37 with 385 saves in 767 appearances, striking out 1070 and walking 271 in 820.0 innings while posting a 2.39 ERA. Boston, which had claimed Wagner off waivers last week, will be responsible for the remainder of Wagner's salary this season, and will hold an $8 million team option to retain his services in 2010 that can be bought out for $1 million. The Red Sox could also decline the option and offer Wagner arbitration, which due to Wagner's Type A status would net the team two draft picks in 2010 should he choose to sign elsewhere.

Matsuzaka makes stong rehab start in GCL

8/25 Cup of Coffee: Jeff Bailey hit a 1-out sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th inning to give Pawtucket a 3-2 win over Lehigh Valley. Jed Lowrie homered in the 6th to tie the score and Mark Wagner had a RBI single in the 6th to give the PawSox a 1-run lead. Hunter Jones then allowed a home run in the top of the 9th to tie the score before Bailey's game-winning RBI in the bottom of the frame. Paul Byrd started and threw 7 strong innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits. He did not walk a hitter and fanned 4.

Harrisburg took the lead in the 1st inning and never looked book on their wa y to a 6-4 win over the Sea Dogs. Kris Johnson (0-1) started and gave up 5 runs, 4 of them earned, on 9 hits and 2 walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out 3. Daniel Nava went 3 for 5 and raised his batting average to .379. Luis Exposito continued his hot streak, going 2 for 4. He is now hitting .361. Jason Place went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBI. The Sea Dogs were 2 for 10 with RISP and left 10 runners on base.

Salem scored twice in the bottom of the 4th inning when Mike Jones doubled and Brad Correll homered. They added 5 more in the 7th on 3 walks, 3 hits, 2 errors and 2 wild pitches. The final result was a Salem 7-0 win over Winston-Salem. Kyle Weiland pitched 6 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 10. Armando Zerpa and Robert Coello held the Dash hitless for the final 3 innings.

West Virginia jumped out to a 9-0 lead after 3 innings and coasted to a 12-6 win over Greenville. Stolmy Pimentel (9-7) lasted only 2 innings, giving up 8 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. The Drive scored 3 times in the 9th with 2 out to make the result more respectable. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI. Alex Hassan went 2 for 5 with an RBI. Ryan Dent went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Greenville were 2 for 12 last night with RISP and left 12 runners on base.

Aberdeen scored 7 times in the 1st inning and went on to an 11-0 hammering of Lowell. Starter Pedro Perez went 1.1 frames, giving up 9 runs, only 4 of which were earned. The Spinner defense committed 2 errors in the first inning, which accounted for the unearned runs. The offense had 6 hits in the game, with Tom Di Benedetto going 2 for 2.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox shut out the Rays 2-0. Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first rehab start and threw 3 scoreless innings, giving up 1 hit. He did not allow a walk and had 4 strikeouts. Roman Mendez (2-2) pitched 5 scoreless innings to earn the win. With 2 on and 2 out in the 2nd inning, Felix Sanchez drove in a run with a single, and Juan Bonifacio scored on a wild pickoff attempt to provide the margin of victory.

Player of the Night: Kyle Weiland, who threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 10 batters.

Alvarez wins 7th game of season, ties Spinner record

8/24 Cup of Coffee: Highly touted Phillie prospect Joe Suarez notched his 15th win of the year, 3 of which have come at the Triple-A level, as Lehigh Valley downed Pawtucket 4-2. Billy Traber (7-6) started and took the loss, going 4.2 innings and allowing 3 runs on 8 hits. The PawSox managed 6 hits in the game, with Jeff Bailey going 2 for 4. Pawtucket has now lost 38 of its last 49 games.

Jorge Jimenez's single in the bottom of the 10th inning gave Portland a 3-2 walkoff win over Harrisburg. Blake Maxwell started and went 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks. Tommy Hottovy and Andrew Dobies held the Senators scoreless for the next 3.2 innings. Bryce Cox (1-5) entered the game and held Harrisburg scoreless for the final 1.1 frames and earned the win. Jimenez went 2 for 5 with a RBI and Luis Exposito went 3 for 4 with a home run. In 57 at bats with the Sea Dogs, he is hitting .351.

Salem split a doubleheader with Potomac on Sunday. In the first game, Chih-Hsien Chiang hit a three-run homer in the 6th inning to provide the margin of victory in a 3-1 win over the Nationals. Seth Garrison (8-10) started and got the win, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing 1 run on 3 hits. Derrick Loop recorded the final 4 outs to earn his 16th save, which ties him for second-most in the Carolina League. In the second contest, Potomac scored 7 runs in the 2nd inning en route to a 14-2 hammering of the Sox. Salem scored twice in the 7th inning to avoid a shutout. Jose Capellan (5-3) lasted 3 innings, giving up 10 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks. He struck out 3. Jason Blackey also had a rough outing, giving up 4 runs in 2 innings of work.

Trailing by a run going into the bottom of the 4th inning, West Virginia scored 3 times and went on to a 4-1 victory over Greenville. Caleb Clay (4-6) started and took the loss, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits in 5 innings of work. He struck out 5. Michael Lee pitched the final 3 frames allowing a run on a hit and 2 walks. Oscar Tejeda went 2 for 4 and Ryan Lavarnway went 1 for 3 with a home run.

Lowell scored 4 runs in the top of the first and went on to a 12-2 win over Oneonta. Jose Alvarez (7-3) turned in a strong performance and picked up his 7th win, tying a franchise record for wins in a season. He went 6 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He did not allow a walk and had 8 strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 1.54. Wilfred Pichardo went 2 for 3 and scored 4 runs. He extended his hitting streak to 9 games. Michael Almanzar went 3 for 5 with 3 RBI. The Spinners now hold a 2-game lead in the Stedler Division.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Reds downed the Red Sox 2-1. Manuel Rivera (1-3) took the loss, giving up 2 runs on 7 hits over 5 innings of work. He struck out 4. Kyle Stroup and Dustin Mercadante held the Reds scoreless for the remainder of the game. Jose Garcia went 1 for 3, hitting a home run in the bottom of the 8th inning to bring the Red Sox within 1. The Red Sox had 2 on with 1 out in the bottom of the ninth, but could not complete the comeback.

Player of the Night: Jose Alvarez, who picked up his 7th win to tie a Lowell record for victories in a season.

Greenville takes doubleheader from West Virginia

8/23 Cup of Coffee: On Saturday, Lehigh Valley and Pawtucket were scoreless for 10 innings but the Iron Pigs tallied 3 runs in the top of the 11th to down Pawtucket 3-0. The PawSox had an excellent chance to win the game in the bottom of the 10th when they had the bases loaded with 2 out but Jeff Bailey flied to right to end the threat. The Iron Pigs scored 3 times in the top of the 11th on a walk, double, another walk and another double. The PawSox went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning. Adam Mills started threw 7 scoreless innings allowing just 3 hits. Marcus McBeth and Hunter Jones held Lehigh scoreless until TJ Large entered the game in the 10th. He managed to record an out in the 11th but was charged with giving up all 3 runs on a hit and 2 walks. Jose Vaquedano got the final 2 outs but gave up 2 hits. The Pawtucket offense managed just 3 hits in the game.

Portland dropped both games of their doubleheader with Harrisburg. The Sea Dogs fell 5-4 in the first contest. The Senators scored single runs in the 6th and 7th innings to edge out the Sea Dogs. Chad Povich (4-2) pitched the 7th and gave up the winning run on a hit and 3 walks. Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI to lead the Dogs. He raised his batting average to .404. Jon Still tied a team record with his 36th double of the season. The Senators took the 2nd game 3-1. Ryne Lawson (3-11) gave up all 3 runs in 5.2 innings of work. He gave up 6 hits and a walk while recording 4 strikeouts. Ritchie Lentz got the final 4 outs of the game without giving up a run. He allowed a walk and had 2 strikeouts. Jason Place went 2 for 2 with a RBI. The 2 losses see Portland sitting in 4th place in their division.

The Salem-Potomac game was postponed.

Greenville swept both games of their doubleheader from West Virginia. In the first, the Drive scored 6 runs in the top of the 2nd inning and coasted to a 6-3 win. Brock Huntzinger (8-8) earned the win allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk over 5 innings. Mitch Herold pitched the final 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits. He fanned 3. Shannon Wilkerson went 3 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Ryan Dent and Will Middlebrooks each had 2 hits in the contest. The Drive took the 2nd contest 8-6. Chad Povich started the game and lasted 2.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Leandro Marin (3-2) earned the win going 2.2 frames. He gave up a run on 2 hits and a walk. He had 6 strikeouts. Lance McClain got the final 5 outs in the game but not before allowing 2 runs to score. Shannon Wilkerson went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI.

Spinner hurlers Alex Wilson and Tom Ebert took a no-hitter into the 6th inning on way to a 5-2 win over Oneonta on Saturday. Wilson threw 3 scoreless, hitless innings allowing 2 walks. He lowered his ERA to 0.60. Ebert gave up a pair of runs in the 6th on 3 hits. He fanned 4 over his 3 innings of work. Jordan Flasher (1-0) earned the win throwing 2 scoreless innings. Kyle Rutter pitched 1-2-3 9th to earn his first save as a professional. The win gave the Spinners sole possession of first place with a record of 34-26. Wilfred Pichardo went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI. He also stole his 21 and 22 bases of the season. Drew Hedman went 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Joantoni Garcia had 2 doubles in 3 at bats which produced a run scored and 2 RBI.

Player of the Night: Shannon Wilkerson who in 2 games went 5 for 8 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI

RIP Greg Montalbano

Unfortunately we have some sad news to report this afternoon. Former Sox farmhand Greg Montalbano passed away on Friday after a fourteen year battle with cancer. A fifth-round pick in 1999 out of Northeastern, Montalbano played in the Sox system until 2004, and during that time was named the Red Sox minor league pitcher of the year in 2001. Our prayers and condolences go out to the Montalbano family.

Bowden back down, Gonzalez to pitch in

In the aftermath of last night's defeat by the Yankees, the Red Sox have optioned Michael Bowden back to Pawtucket and recalled Enrique Gonzalez to take his place in the bullpen. Gonzalez last pitched for the big club in their disastrous four game series at New York, allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits, two of which were home runs, in 1.2 innings of work August 8. On the season with Pawtucket, Gonzalez owns a 7-11 record, allowing 74 earned runs on 149 hits over 127.1 innings pitched in 23 games (21 starts) for a 5.23 ERA and held opposing batters to a .290 batting average. In his last outing with the Paw Sox he allowed 1 earned run on three hits and two walks in 3.2 innings of work against Rochester (Twins) August 18.

Wakefield gets win in second rehab start

8/22 Cup of Coffee: Tim Wakefield gave up a run on 2 hits and threw 81 pitches over 5.2 innings to help Pawtucket break their 10 game losing streak and score a 2-1 victory over Rochester. Jose Vaquedano, Dustin Richardson, and Javier Lopez each threw 0.2 of an inning without allowing a run. TJ Large pitched the final 1.1 innings retiring all 4 batters he faced to earn his first save in AAA. The game turned in the bottom of the 5th when the PawSox scored 2 runs to overcome a 1-0 deficit on RBIs by Josh Reddick and Jeff Bailey who were each 1 for 4 in the game.

Potomac scored early and often on way to a 11-0 hammering of Salem. Stephen Fife did not retire a batter in the 2nd inning and was charged with giving up 7 runs on 7 hits. He had a pair of strikeouts. Armando Zerpa did not fare much better going 1.2 frames. He allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and 3 walks. Josh Papelbon pitched 4.1 scoreless innings allowing 4 hits. He had a strikeout. Derrick Loop continued his excellent work by throwing another clean inning. He has not allowed a run in his last 5 appearances and over his last 10 games his ERA is 0.75. The Salem offense managed just 4 hits in the game.

Lowell scored 8 runs in the bootom of the 6th inning to overcome a 1 run deficit and then cruised to a 16-7 win over Auburn. Yeiper Castillo got the Spinners off to a shaky start by allowing 7 runs on 7 hits and a pair of walks in 1.2 innings of work. Jeremiah Bayer threw 3.1 scoreless frames allowing just 1 hit. He fanned 2. Michael Bugary got the win going 2.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit and 3 walks. He struck out 3. Dennis Neuman got the final 5 outs in the game allowing 1 baserunner on a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Wilfred Pichardo led the way offensively going 3 for 4 with 2 doubles. He scored 3 times and drove in 3 others. Ronald Bermudez went 3 for 5 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Thomas DiBenedetto went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ryan Westmoreland went 1 for 4 hitting his 7th home run. He scored 3 times in the game and had 2 RBI.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox were leading 5-0 in the 4th inning when the game was suspended due to rain. Bad weather also caused the cancellation of the Portland/Harrisburg and the Greenville/ West Virginia games.

In the Dominican, the Red Sox edged the Mets 7-6 scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 10th after Lewis Urena led off the inning with a triple. He went 3 for 5 in the game. Wilfi Santana was credited with the win after pitching the final 4 innings of the game. He allowed 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. The Dominican Red Sox finished their schedule with a 44-25 record which left them in 3rd place 7 games behind the Giants.

Player of the Night: Wilfred Pichardo who went 3 for 5 at the plate with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI

Bowden gets the call

In a move to bolster the bullpen going into the weekend series against New York, the Red Sox have recalled Michael Bowden from Pawtucket and designated Fernando Cabrera for assignment to clear a roster spot. Bowden worked two perfect innings in relief, striking out two, against the Yankees April 26 in his only appearance with the big club in 2009. On the season with Pawtucket he owns a 4-6 record in 22 starts, all with Pawtucket, allowing 41 earned runs on 94 hits over 115.1 innings for a 3.20 ERA and .223 average. In his last outing with Pawtucket, Bowden worked 6.2 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits, striking out 4, walking 2 and taking the loss at Gwinnett (Braves), August 16. He is currently the fourth ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com ... In other roster moves this afternoon, the Red Sox have activated Rocco Baldelli from the disabled list and optioned Brian Anderson to Pawtucket in a concurrent move.

Williamson's strong performance gives Drive split

8/21 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket's losing streak reached double digits on Thursday as they fell 5-3 to Rochester despite Randor Bierd's strong start. He went 7 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits. He did not walk a batter while striking out 8. Marcus McBeth tossed an inning giving up 4 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 2. Javier Lopez threw a scoreless inning giving up 2 hits. Aaron Bates went 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Dusty Brown went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Reading blanked Portland 6-0. Felix Doubront went 4.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 3. Ryne Miller pitched 2.2 frames giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Andrew Dobies threw 1.2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He had 3 strikeouts. Daniel Nava went 2 for 4.

Lynchburg edged Salem 4-3. Eammon Portice threw 3.1 innings giving up 4 runs on 2 hits and 4 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Kyle Fernandes tossed 2.2 scoreless frames giving up 2 hits and 2 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Robert Coello pitched 3 scoreless innings giving up a hit. He struck out 4. Brad Correll went 2 for 4 with a home run.

In the completion of Wednesday's suspended game, Hickory downed Greenville 9-8. Michael Lee went 2.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit and a walk. He had 3 strikeouts. Jeremy Kehrt threw 5.1 frames giving up 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Jason Blackey went 0.1 of an inning allowing 2 runs on a hit and a walk. William Latimer did not record an out but gave up 2 runs on a hit and a walk. Mitch Dening went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Oscar Tejeda went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI. In the night's regularly scheduled game, Greenville defeated Hickory 5-1. Fabian Williamson threw 6 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits. He struck out 5. Lance McClain threw a scoreless inning giving up a hit. He fanned 2. Ryan Dent went 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBI. Michael Thomas went 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Lowell downed Auburn 8-6. Ryan Pressly tossed 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 8. Cesare Cabral threw 3 innings giving up 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He had 4 strikeouts. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Chris McGuiness went 3 for 3 and scored 2 runs. William Holmes went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Dan Butler went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox downed the Twins 5-2. Randy Consuegra went 4 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. He struck out 6. Richard Wasielewski threw an inning and did not allow a run. He gave up a hit and had a strikeout. Hunter Cervenka tossed 2 scoreless, hitless innings giving up a walk. He fanned 2. Michael Lennox threw 2 clean innings recording 2 strikeouts. Jose Garcia went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI.

Player of the Night: Fabian Williamson who allowed 1 run on 3 hits over 6 innings. He did not give up a walk while striking out 5.

WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund All-Star Online Auction Live on eBay

CHARITY EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

BOSTON- WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon is proud to announce the 2009 All-Star Online Auction. This is a great opportunity to bid on sixteen once in a life time experiences and items, while also supporting the lifesaving mission of the Jimmy Fund, which is raising critical funds for pediatric and adult cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. The auction is currently on eBay and bidding ends on August 24. This auction is in conjunction with the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio Telethon. The eighth annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon is on August 27 and 28, broadcast live from Fenway Park.

Selection of Items

• Kelly Clarkson Meet & Greet VIP Concert Experience for Two - A rare opportunity to not only meet the hit-maker and first American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson in concert, but also choose the venue! The auction winner and one (1) guest will make their way to the city of their choice where they’ll meet Kelly prior to a show on her current tour (beginning August 14 and running through December) and enjoy a brief conversation, and then stay for the performance.
• Throw First Pitch at the Red Sox Game on August 27 with Denis Leary & Lenny Clarke - What better way to celebrate the baseball season at Fenway Park than with rabid Red Sox fans Denis Leary and Lenny Clarke! At the start of the August 27 game, the winner will be escorted onto the field to throw the first pitch of the game, then—along with the winner’s guest—join the stars in the WEEI Sports Radio Network Suite to watch the game as well as enjoy an extended meet and greet with Leary and Clarke.
• Meet & Greet with Jersey Boy Frankie Valli in Boston for Two, Plus a Signed Jersey Boys Souvenir Book - The winner and guest will have the chance to watch Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in concert from VIP seats at the Wang Theatre in Boston on November 7, then go backstage afterward to meet the original “Jersey Boy.”
• New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox Weekend Package with Airfare and More - Witness the rivalry that’s nearly as old as baseball itself: Yankees versus Red Sox games on the weekend of September 26 & 27, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in New York. The winner and a guest will fly to the game on American Airlines and dine at BLT Steak in NYC during their stay.
• Score a Home Game From Inside the Green Monster at Fenway Park! - The Green Monster—the enormous left field wall (tallest of any in Major League Baseball) at Fenway Park in Boston—has stood as home to the park’s scoreboard since 1912! Here’s the chance for the winner and a friend to score three innings of a 2010 home game from inside the wall and then catch the rest of the match from atop the legendary “monster.”

*Certain restriction apply for all auction items, log onto www.ebay.com/jimmyfund for more information and to bid on items.

Pawtucket drops 2 and extend losing streak to 9

8/20 Cup of Coffee: On Wednesday, Pawtucket dropped both games of a doubleheader and extended their losing streak to 9 games. The PawSox were blanked 6-0 by Rochester in the first contest. Charlie Zink went 5.1 innings giving up 6 runs on 8 hits and 5 walks. Billy Traber tossed the final 3.2 frames and did not give up a run. He allowed 2 hits while fanning 3. George Kottaras went 2 for 4 in the game. Rochester took the second game 5-1. Paul Byrd went 4 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Hunter Jones threw 2.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 4 hits. TJ Large pitched 2.2 scoreless frames allowing 3 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Jeff Bailey went 2 for 3 with a home run.

Reading thrashed Portland 18-1. Kason Gabbard went 3 innings allowing 9 runs on 8 hits and 7 walks. He had a strikeout. Tommy Hottovy went 1.2 frames giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 4. Chad Rhoades tossed 2.1 frames allowing 2 runs on 3 hits. He fanned 2. Richie Lentz pitched an inning and gave up 1 run on 3 hits. Dustin Richardson went an inning giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Luis Exposito went 1 for 4 with a home run.

Lynchburg edged Salem 6-5. Dave McKae threw 4 frames allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 2. Jose Capellan pitched 2 innings allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Jason Rice retired the only hitter he faced. Josh Papelbon finished the final 2.2 frames and did not allow a run on 4 hits. He struck out 2. Brad Correll went 3 for 5 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Chih-Hsien Chiang went 2 for 4.

Greenville was leading Hickory 1-0 in the bottom of the 3rd inning when the game was suspended.

Auburn downed Lowell 3-1. Pedro Perez threw 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 5. Charlie Rosario pitched 2 innings allowing a run on 4 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Kyle Rutter tossed 2 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits. He struck out 3. William Holmes went 2 for 4.

In the only win of the day for Sox affiliates, the Gulf Coast League Red Sox edged the Rays 2-1 in 10 innings. Roman Mendez went 4 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits. He fanned 3. Swen Huijer pitched 3 perfect innings of middle relief recording a strikeout. Cesare Angeloni threw 2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Doug Wogee pitched a scoreless inning allowing a hit. Reymond Fuentes went 2 for 5. Ken Roque went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Player of the Night: Swen Huijer who tossed 3 perfect innings of relief

The Ladder- 8.19.09

Fabian Williamson

The Line: Over his last 40 1/3 innings pitched, Williamson has been holding lineups at bay, giving up just 7 earned runs and 27 hits against while striking out 35 batters in the stretch. For the season, he’s held batters to a .187 average, allowing only 57 hits, and has struck out 85 hitters in 87 innings of work. Williamson has also been going deeper into outings recently, pitching 5 innings in each of his last 4 appearances. On August 15 against Greensboro, he gave up 2 hits and fanned 4 hitters in 5 scoreless innings to pick up the win.

The View: Acquired in the off-season for David Aardsma, the left-handed Williamson has steadily been progressing well this season and has put together a solid campaign through this point in the schedule. Featuring a high-80’s fastball, he’s not an overpowering pitcher, but he is able to hide the ball until late in his delivery, with his fastball jumping on batters due to the late look. He also wields an arsenal of off-speed pitches. Williamson’s curveball is a plus offering and comes in with almost a true 12/6 break. With sharp bite and good snap, he’s able to freeze a lot of batters with the pitch or get swings and misses as it runs in hard on right-handed batters. Williamson also features an average change-up that flashes its potential, but is also inconsistent. Improvement on this pitch would give him something off-speed that he would be able to work on the arm side of the plate. Williamson can struggle with his control and will need to sharpen this aspect of his game as he rises to higher levels within the Red Sox system. He can lose his release point for stretches in outings as well, and he sometimes walks too many batters and can be a little too inefficient with his pitches. Right now, Williamson projects more as a reliever down the line, and the Red Sox have been using him in a piggy-back role for most of the season at Greenville to continue to stretch him out while giving him a chance to sharpen his repertoire. He’s done an excellent job of keeping the ball in the ballpark on the season and generally keeps his fastball down in the zone. Williamson needs some improvement on how he works from side to side with his fastball, along with some improvement on how he feels his change-up. Coming into the season as an unknown to followers of the system, Williamson has quietly put together a nice season with the Drive and with some development in terms of his polish as a pitcher, could be a name popping up in the mix as a arm out of the bullpen down the line.

Anthony Rizzo

The Line: After posting an OPS of .859 with Greenville prior to his mid-season promotion to Salem, Rizzo has been making the adjustments in High-A and has been coming up to speed, going 13 for his last 32 with 4 doubles and a home run in that stretch. Rizzo had a strong month of July with an .863 OPS that included 13 extra-base hits before going on the disabled list on July 30. After being out of action for 17 days, Rizzo returned to the lineup on August 15 to go 2 for 4 with a double and a run driven in against Kinston.

The View: Back on the field after missing most of last season battling cancer, Rizzo hasn’t missed a beat this season. Highly regarded coming into the system, he showed a strong flash of his promise in the beginning of 2008 that had many excited about his potential. Standing 6’3’’ and weighing 220 pounds, Rizzo is a very solid player physically. He has above-average power potential and already hits the ball well to all fields, possessing the ability to wait till pitches get deep on him. His batting eye and approach at the plate are also advanced for his age. Hitting from a slight crouch, Rizzo has a smooth, quick left-handed swing and good mechanics at the plate. For a bigger player, his swing stays short and he is quick to the point on contact with the ball. Rizzo handled himself well at Greenville during his stay there in the first half of the season and hit a lot of balls hard to all fields prior to his promotion to Salem. Around the bag at first, he has above-average skills and projects as a good defensive player. Rizzo moves especially well from side to side and has turned in a lot of good plays over at first base this season. One thing he can stand to improve is how he handles his at-bats against left-handed pitchers, as he currently tends to bail out against them. This is something that should improve with more experience as he moves up the ranks of the organization, but also something to keep an eye on. To continue his ascent as a potential major league middle-of-the-order hitter for the Red Sox in the future, Rizzo will need to hang in better against lefties. One of the organization’s young, high-ceiling talents, he’s made an incredible comeback from cancer this season. Rizzo’s skills have been on display for most of the season, and he’s pushed himself into the picture as one of the fast risers within the system.

Trending Up

Pete Hissey looks to be turning a corner in August, going 18 for 48 through 13 games this month with a double, triple, and 5 stolen bases. Hissey shows an advanced approach at the plate for his age, but has been overmatched physically for much of the season with Greenville. A player that will ultimately project as a doubles hitter, Hissey currently doesn’t have much power in his game, but has potential to fill out his frame as he matures. So far, 2009 has been a year of getting comfortable with professional pitching as his physical stature catches up to his tools…After a tough month of July, Salem first baseman/designated hitter Mike Jones is locked in at the plate again. Covering 15 games in August, Jones is 18 for 56 with a homer, 7 doubles, and 12 runs batted in. The strong left-handed batter still hasn’t displayed the home run power that he shows in his batting practice sessions, but he’s been able to sustain good contact rates at each level within the system…Roman Mendez has been making a nice transition during his initial experience in the United States with the Gulf Coast Red Sox. Through 38 1/3 innings this season, the hard-throwing Dominican righthander has struck out 39 batters against only 7 walks while holding batters to a .181 average. Mendez features a low-to-mid 90’s fastball and developing secondary pitches. Look for him to be in the mix to break camp with a full-season team in 2010 after another off-season of work under his belt.

Trending Down

Yamaico Navarro has seen his Double-A career get off to a tough start, hitting .143 with 20 strikeouts in 77 at-bats. The aggressive hitting shortstop has seen Eastern League pitchers take advantage of his current batting approach and feed him a steady diet of breaking balls off the plate. An excellent fastball hitter and good hitter overall, Navarro is in an adjustment period and being challenged to make some changes in his game…Jason Place is 7 for his last 30 with 16 strikeouts and only hitting .208 overall after his promotion to Portland in mid-July. Place has struggled to make consistent contact and the strikeouts have piled up for him in Double-A. Breaking balls off the outside corner of the plate and in the dirt have especially given him trouble in his first go-around in the Eastern League. Place has displayed some of his tape-measure power, including a home run over the Green Monster during the Futures at Fenway doubleheader this month, but his contact rates and pitch recognition on breaking balls will need a lot of improvement for him to consistently make contact at advanced levels…Aaron Bates has yet to find his footing with Pawtucket, hitting .198 in 202 Triple-A at-bats. His strikeout and walk rates have remained consistent with his Portland totals, but he’s had trouble squaring up balls and has produced a lot of weak contact when he gets the bat on the ball

Woodward assigned to Pawtucket, Ochoa released

After having designating him for assignment to clear room for the recently-acquired Alex Gonzalez, the Red Sox have assigned veteran infielder Chris Woodward to Triple-A Pawtucket. According to Dan Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, infielder Ivan Ochoa has been released to open a spot for Woodward on the PawSox roster. It had been something of a lost year for Ochoa, who had appeared in only 45 games due to hamstring problems, hitting .227/.340/.328 with 3 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 9 steals in 9 attempts in his 128 at-bats. Just 26 years old but already a veteran of 9 minor league seasons, the slick-fielding Ochoa departs owning a career line of .255/.340/.326 with 178 steals in 751 games played in the Cleveland, San Francisco and Boston systems. Woodward, who had gone 0 for 4 in five games for the Red Sox since he was claimed off waivers from Seattle on August 7, will reportedly be available for Pawtucket's doubleheader today against Rochester.

Nava helps Sea Dogs move into playoff contention

8/19 Cup of Coffee: On Tuesday, Pawtucket's losing streak was extended to 7 games when the team fell 7-6 to Rochester in 10 innings. Kris Johnson started and threw 2.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Jose Vaquedano tossed 3 innings allowing 3 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks. Enrique Gonzalez pitched 3.2 innings allowing a run on 3 hits and 2 walks. Javier Lopez retired both hitters he faced. Chris Duncan went 2 for 2 with a run scored and 2 RBI. George Kottaras went 2 for 3. Travis Denker went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs. Angel Chavez went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI.

Portland downed Reading 9-4. They are now 1 game behind New Britain for the second playoff spot in the Northern Division. Blake Maxwell pitched 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Chris Province threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings giving up 2 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Andrew Dobies threw a scoreless, hitless inning allowing a walk. He fanned 2. Bryce Cox pitched the final inning giving up a run on a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI. Ryan Kalish went 3 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Jorge Jimenez went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 2 RBI. Jon Still went 2 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI.

Salem defeated Lynchburg 5-3. Kyle Weiland started and threw 5.1 frames giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He fanned 6. Armando Zerpa tossed 2.2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He had 2 strikeouts. Derrick Loop pitched a clean 9th with 1 strikeout. Anthony Reza went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Mike Jones went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Tim Federowicz went 3 for 4 with a home run and 2 runs scored. Jon Hee went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Hickory scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to sneak by Greenville 6-5. Caleb Clay went 5 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He fanned 2. Mitch Herold pitched 2 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits. He fanned 1. Felix Ventura blew the save and took the loss pitching 0.2 of an inning. He gave up 4 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Pete Hissey went 2 for 5 and scored a run. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 4 with a RBI. Ty Weeden went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox edged the Reds 3-2. Manuel Rivera started and pitched 5 innings giving up 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 5. Jordan Flasher threw 2 scoreless frames giving up 3 hits and 2 walks. He had a strikeout. Justin Erasmus pitched the final 2 frames allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 2. Ken Roque went 3 for 5 with a home run. Brandon Jacobs went 2 for 4. Tyler Yockey went 1 for 3 with a home run.

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

Players of the Week, August 10-16: Daniel Nava & Derrick Loop

This week's polling hilighted an unlikely pair of SoxProspects.com Player of the Week winners, Portland's Daniel Nava and Salem's Derrick Loop both of whom were independent league signees and were teammates on the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League at this time in 2007. Nava batted .381/.500/.762 in 26 plate-appearances over 6 games last week with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 8 runs scored, 4 RBI and took 5 walks without a single strikeout. Loop worked three perfect innings last week in three appearances, 1 inning-pitched each time, and struck out 5 opposing batters. On the season Nava, age 26, is hitting .354/.463/.569 with 4 home runs, 15 doubles, 2 triples and 23 RBI 144 at-bats over 40 games between Portland and Salem, with the majority (109 at-bats) coming at Salem. Loop, age 25, owns a 3-3 record with 15 saves in 62.2 innings-pitches over 43 appearances (1 start) with Salem in 2009, allowing 12 earned runs on 49 hits for a 1.72 ERA and holding opposing batters to a .223 average ... Salem's Mike Jones was named Carolina League Player of the Week for the same period.

Q&A with Swen Huijer

The Red Sox signed Swen Huijer as a 17-year old out of the Netherlands in April 2008, after Huijer had received interest from four other major league teams. A 6'9" righty, Huijer has pitched fairly well in two seasons in the GCL, showing excellent control and command. He's presently 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA, sixteen strikeouts and no walks through 20 innings in the Gulf Coast League. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Huijer about growing up in the Netherlands, baseball in Europe, and his experiences in the Red Sox organization. Thanks to Swen for taking the time to share his unique story.

Mike Andrews: When did you start playing baseball?
Swen Huijer: I started playing baseball when I was five years old. I played in Hoofddorp, which is 30 kilometers outside of Amsterdam. I started with T-ball, and after that I played baseball in the juveniles, cadets, and juniors. I developed as a catcher, but when I was twelve, I suddenly grew a lot and catching became a problem because of my length. My coach converted me into a pitcher when I was thirteen. I also played first base, and I was a pretty good hitter back in those days. After that, I played for a higher level team in a league called the A-Line, where we trained twice a week and played double-headers on weekends. We always played in the annual Fourth of July tournament at Ramstein Airbase in Germany. We stayed with American host families, who took care of us during the week. As a junior, I played in the European Little League championships in Italy, and that same year I also played in the Youth Friendship games, which were hosted by my club, the Hoofddorp Pioneers.

MA: Growing up in Europe, what influenced you to take up baseball?
SH: My father played baseball as a pitcher on the recreational level, and he always took me and my brother Lars with him to the games. We loved to watch his team, and we played with the equipment as young children. It’s funny, but he also spent a lot of time when we were young pitching wine corks to us in the garden, teaching us the basics of baseball. When I turned five, he signed me up for the Hoofddorp team and became one of my coaches. We were undefeated our first year of T-ball, and some players on that team are still playing at very high levels and on the national team.

MA: Is the sport growing in popularity over there?
SH: Well, soccer is the most popular in The Netherlands, but the popularity of baseball is growing due the success of the Dutch team in the Olympics and the WBC. Also, Robert Eenhoorn, the national coach, developed a good youth program, and we now have six MLB Baseball Academies in The Netherlands. Players can join these Academies to practice and play under better conditions and with better coaching. The most talented players are brought together in regions, and the regions play against each other every weekend. Altogether, the quality and quantity of Dutch Baseball is increasing.

MA: What was the scouting process like for you? Did you receive offers from a lot of teams?
SH: I have been through many growth spurts, which changed my position on the field and affected and challenged my ability when it came to agility and coordination. Suddenly in August 2007, Bill Froberg, coach of the Dutch Triple-A team, scouted me and offered me the opportunity to come to spring training with his team in 2008. During that time, we played in an academy tournament in Tirrenia, Italy. That’s where I had my first outing for the Dutch squad against Italy. Around that time, my name was mentioned to scouts for the Yankees and the Mets, and I eventually did some tryouts for them in the Netherlands. The Yankees wanted me to go to Instructional camp in the Dominican Republic in the spring of 2008. The Mets thought I was too raw and wanted to follow me for a year. Following up on the tournament in Tirrenia, I also received interest from the Cubs, Red Sox, Mariners, and Twins.

MA: What made you decide to sign with the Red Sox?
SH: The Red Sox are well known for their great farm system and organization, and I had a lot to learn about the game. I was a raw player and the Red Sox were the first to offer an official contract. For my parents, it was important that I would play in the United States and not in the DSL or VSL, so the offer from the Yankees to go to an Instructional camp in the Dominican Republic was not good enough for them. For me, it was because I wanted to follow my dream to become a professional baseball player, no matter where it would take me. I really just wanted to start my adventure overseas, and the Red Sox offered me that opportunity.

MA: Was it difficult adjusting to life in the United States?
SH: Actually, no. Only the first few days were difficult. I arrived on a Thursday and the next Sunday was Father’s Day, so that was a day of missing my family and friends and being kind of homesick. I called my father and he talked to me, and he said "you have to make friends there so when you leave the U.S. in a few months you need to be looking forward to seeing those guys again in spring training." From that moment, I totally adjusted.

MA: This past off-season, the Netherlands team was quite impressive in the World Baseball Classic. Did you follow the games closely? Do you have aspirations to participate with the team in the future?
SH: The Dutch team did a great job and it was good advertising for Dutch Baseball. They played a really good defensive tournament. I watched some games, but I had to focus on getting in shape myself, and I was playing for the junior national team in Canada at the time. I am too old for that team now, so the next logical step for me is the Dutch A-team. Rod Delmonico selected some young players in the last international tournament - the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam. Some older players will probably stop now due of the fact that baseball is not an Olympic sport anymore, so the youth will have a chance. I really hope they give me the chance to join the winter program with the A-team - that would be amazing! That would give me the opportunity to learn from the best coaches and players in the Netherlands - the ones with international experience.

MA: The 2009 Gulf Coast Red Sox team is quite the melting pot, with players from eight different countries. What has that experience been like?
SH: Well, it is great to be a part of having so many nationalities on one team. There are quite some differences between the players, and you certainly spend a lot of time learning each other's cultures and languages.

MA: You appear to have impeccable control, having not walked a batter in 36 professional innings pitched through today. What are your other strengths as a pitcher?
SH: To me, it’s really important for a pitcher to attack the strike zone. I'm always trying to get ahead in the count. Being ahead in the count makes pitching so much easier, because it gives you the chance to throw your secondary stuff. My secondary stuff is still really raw, but we've worked on it a lot this season.

MA: How do you use your height to your advantage? What areas do you need to work on?
SH: My height is an advantage, but I still have to grow more in to my body and work on my mechanics. My velocity will hopefully come in the next couple years once I get bigger and stronger. My curveball and changeup need some more improvement, and I will have to keep working on that.

MA: What one teammate has impressed you the most since you joined the organization?
SH: Since day one I’ve had a lot of guys that helped me get around. I made a lot of good friends and they feel kind of like family. One person that really impressed me is Pedro Perez. After three years of hard work in Fort Myers, he finally graduated from the Gulf Coast League and he’s doing well in Lowell with the Spinners.

MA: What do you do for fun in your free time?
SH: Before I came over to the States, I finished my culinary education to become a chef, so in the off-season I spent a lot of time back in the kitchen experimenting with ingredients and turning them into good tasting dishes. Down in Fort Myers, I like to watch television, play video games with the guys, chat on the internet with the people back home, and on off-days I really enjoy the Florida sun by the swimming pool!

Draft Siging Deadline Follow-Up

As a follow-up on yesterday's draft deadline post, it appears that the only additional player locked up by the Sox on the final day before the deadline was Kendal Volz, who signed last night for $550,000. Luke Bard opted to attend Georgia Tech, Zeke DeVoss chose to head to the University of Miami, and Jimmy Patterson is headed to Arizona State. It's not believed that there are any other deals in place that haven't already been reported here.

Huntzinger allows 1 run in 5 innings in Drive win

8/18 Cup of Coffee: Action was very light on Monday with only 2 of the teams seeing action. Pawtucket's losing streak reached 6 games when they dropped a 3-2 decision to Gwinnett. Adam Mills pitched 6 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. He did not allow a walk while striking out 6. Marcus McBeth threw 2 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Chris Carter went 3 for 4. Mark Wagner went 2 for 4. Travis Denker went 1 for 4 with a home run.

In the only other contest, Greenville downed Hiclory 5-3. Brock Huntzinger went 5 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits. He had a strikeout. Leandro Marin tossed 3 frames giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 6. Chad Povich pitched a scoreless 9th allowing a hit and a walk. He fanned 1. Pete Hissey went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Player of the Night: Brock Huntzinger who gave up 1 run over 5 innings in the Drive victory. He allowed 5 hits and did not walk a hitter.

Sox sign Volz for $550K

According to Jim Callis of Baseball America, the Red Sox have signed ninth round pick Kendal Volz for a $550,000 bonus. Volz, a right-hander out of Baylor, was considered one of the top 100 prospects in the draft, but slipped due to signability concerns. He demonstrated flashes of brilliance as Team USA's closer in the summer of 2008, but most scouts were disappointed with his subsequent performance in 2009, and yet other scouts remain concerned about his mechanics. Volz possesses a 92-95 mph fastball, which he complements with a very nice low-80s slider and an inconsistent changeup.

Draft Signing Deadline

Entering Monday morning, the Red Sox have signed twenty-five of their fifty picks from the 2009 draft. Keep in mind that over the course of Jason McLeod’s run as Boston’s amateur scouting director since 2005, the Sox signed, on average, twenty-nine picks per season. McLeod now has until 11:59 PM ET tonight – the universal draft signing deadline – to lock up any additional picks. While I expect that the Sox will manage to sign another couple players before tonight’s deadline, there is no guarantee that any more picks will sign tonight, especially considering that Boston signed six players on Friday, bringing the team's total number of signees since July 31 to nine. Moreover, Boston focused significant funds in the international market this season, including $8-million in bonuses on shortstops Jose Iglesias and Jose Vincio. However, even with the recent spending spree, Boston has only spent approximately $6.5-million on this year's draft class, after spending over $10-million on the draft in 2008. One other consideration is that MLB’s Basic Agreement (the CBA) expires after next season, and there have been rumblings that a mandatory draft slotting system could be discussed as part of the negotiations of a new agreement – so some big market teams may be pondering spending the cash on draftees this season and next while the getting is good.

Of the remaining unsigned draftees, the Sox will likely focus the most attention on Kendal Volz (9th round) and Luke Bard (16th round). Volz, a right-hander out of Baylor, was a highly-regarded prospect coming out of high school, but his performance over the past year has been far from stellar, thus the word on the street is that the two sides are far apart in terms of bonus expectations. Volz has another year of eligibility remaining, and may return to Baylor in an attempt to improve his draft stock for next season. If the Sox aren’t able to lock up Volz, look for them to make a hard push for Bard, the brother of Sox phenom Daniel Bard. Luke Bard comes out of Charlotte Christian High School in North Carolina, and is committed to Georgia Tech this fall. It has been reported that Bard is leaning towards college, but is open to signing with the Sox if the right deal is on the table. Ultimately, McLeod may be seek to use some of the $900,000 bonus that the team formerly committed to Dominican lefty Victor Payano, to lock up Volz and/or Bard. Payano, an international free agent, had previously agreed to terms with the Sox on a $900,000 deal last month, but the agreement fell through after Payano failed his physical in early August.

Two other draftees that are still believed to be in play are:
● Jimmy Patterson (34th round) – Left-hander out of Central Arizona, committed to Arizona State. Patterson excelled this summer for the Mankato Moon Dogs, striking out 17 in 13.1 IP, posting a 0.68 ERA.
● Zeke Devoss (38th round) – The Sox are making a big push for Devoss, a five-tool centerfielder out of Astronaut High School in Florida. Devoss played for the Florida Bombers this summer and is committed to the University of Miami.

Some other names that may still be on the radar, particularly if other deals fall through:
● Randall Fant (21st round) – Left-hander out of Texas High School, committed to Arkansas
● Dan Kemp (24th round) – Shortstop from Tantasqua Regional in Massachusetts, committed to Franklin Pierce
● Reed Gragnani (27th round) – Shortstop from Godwin High School in Virginia, looking for a bonus over $600,000. Boston's most recent offer was in the $300,00 range. Committed to Virginia.
● Cody Stubbs (29th round) – First baseman from Tuscola High School in North Carolina, committed to Tennessee.
● James Dykstra (40th round) – Highly-regarded righty from Rancho Bernardo High School in California, committed to Yavapi Junior College. Fastball hits 96 mph, also has an excellent bat with high power potential. Would likely require a large bonus, but no offer had been forthcoming as of last week.

● John Pivach (46th round) – There was an unconfirmed rumor this weekend that Pivach had signed with Boston, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Pivach is a righty out of New Orleans with a decent fastball, but he has had an injury-plagued career. He also didn't impress during summer ball this year.

A long list of players have expressly indicated that they will not be signing. In most cases, that means just that – the player will not be signing. However, in some cases, it could be a negotiation ploy. Regardless, I don’t expect that the Sox will sign any players off this list, unless Boston has a change of heart and makes a last-minute, significantly increased offer:
● 6th round (198) - Branden Kline, RHP, Gov. Thomas Johnson HS (VA) (committed to Virginia)
● 17th round (528) - Kraig Sitton, LHP, Oregon State University (PG:230) (sophomore)
● 25th round (768) - Austin House, RHP, La Cueva HS (NM) (committed to New Mexico)
● 32nd round (978) - Michael Clark, LHP, American Heritage HS (FL) (committed to NC State)
● 33rd round (1008) - Blaze Tart, RHP, The Pendleton HS (NC) (committed to UNC-Wilmington)
● 35th round (1068) - Matt Milroy, RHP, Marmion Academy HS (IL) (committed to Illinois)
● 36th round (1098) - Michael Yastrzemski, RF, St. John's Prep (MA) (committed to Vanderbilt)
● 37th round (1128) - Matt Koch, RHP, Washington HS (IA) (committed to Louisville)
● 39th round (1188) - Gavin McCourt, OF, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA) (committed to Stanford)
● 42nd round (1278) - Gera Sanchez, RHP, New Mexico JC (no known 2010 commitment)
● 43rd round (1308) - Luke Maile, C, Covington Catholic HS (KY) (committed to Kentucky)
● 44th round (1338) - Derrick Thomas, RF, Roswell HS (GA) (committed to Memphis)
● 45th round (1368) - Kyle Arnsberg, C, Arlington Lamar HS (TX) (committed to Arizona State)
● 48th round (1458) - Brian Heere, RF, Kansas (sophomore)
● 49th round (1488) - Chris Constantino, 3B, Bishop Hendricken (RI) (committed to Walters State)

If the Sox were to make one of those last-minute, life-chagning bonus offers, the most likely recipients would be Kline, Tart, or Maile.

Blair drives in 4 in GCL Sox win

8/17 Cup of Coffee: On Sunday, Gwinnett edged Pawtucket 2-1. Michael Bowden started and went 6.2 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Billy Traber threw 1.1 scoreless innings allowing a hit and a walk. The PawSox offense managed just 3 hits in the game.

Bowie downed Portland 5-4. Ryne Lawson threw 4.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 6 hits. He had 3 strikeouts. Ryne Miller went 2.1 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Tommy Hottovy threw 1.1 scoreless frames giving up 3 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Ryan Kalish went 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.

Kinston defeated Salem 7-2. Seth Garrison went 2.1 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. Robert Coello threw 3 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Jason Rice pitched 1.2 scoreless frames giving up a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 2. Josh Papelbon tossed a scoreless inning allowing a walk. Derrick Loop pitched a clean inning fanning all 3 hitters he faced. Tim Federowicz went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Greenville edged Greensboro 4-3. Stolmy Pimentel threw 6 innings allowing a run on 5 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Lance McClain threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings allowing a walk. He struck out 4. Jason Blackey pitched the 9th and gave up the lead allowing 2 runs to score on 3 hits. Ryan Lavarnway hit a walk off homer in the 9th to win the contest. Overall, he went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Will Middlebrooks went 2 for 3 with a run scored and 2 RBI.

Mahoning Valley doubled the score on Lowell winning 4-2. Alex Wilson went 3 innings giving up 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks. Jeremiah Bayer threw 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Michael Bugary threw an inning giving up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Dennis Neuman pitched 2 scoreless frames allowing 1 hit. He had a strikeout. The Spinners had 5 hits spread out among 5 different players.

In rookie ball, the Red Sox trounced the Orioles 11-6. Drake Britton threw 2 scoreless, hitless innings allowing a walk. He struck out 4. Richard Wasielewski went 0.2 of an inning and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 1. Kyle Stroup pitched 2.1 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits and a walk. Doug Wogee tossed a scoreless framegiving up a hit. He had a strikeout. Cesare Angeloni threw 2 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits. He had a strikeout. Dustin Mercadante pitched the 9th allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and a walk. The offense pounded out 18 hits in the game. Felix Sanchez went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Ken Roque went 2 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Carson Blair went 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 runs scored and 4 RBI. Boss Moanaroa went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Seth Schwindenhammer went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs. Brandon Jacobs went 2 for 5. Leonel Escobar went 2 for 3 with a run scored and a RBI. Tyler Yockey went 2 for 4 with a run scored and 3 RBI.

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

Williamson tosses 5 scoreless innings in Drive win

8/16 Cup of Coffee: Action on Saturday saw Tim Wakefield make his rehab start in Gwinnett's 10-1 win over Pawtucket. He went 3.2 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. Randor Bierd went 1.2 innings allowing 5 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 3. Enrique Gonzalez tossed 1.2 innings allowing a run on a hit and 2 walks. Javier Lopez pitched the final inning and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Bubba Bell went 2 for 4 in the game. The game marked the 30th loss out of the last 40 games for the Rhode Island team.

Bowie edged Portland 4-3. Jarod Plummer pitched 6 innings giving up 4 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 4. Chris Province tossed a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. Richie Lentz threw a scoreless inning giving up 2 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. The Sea Dog offense managed 5 hits spread out among 5 different players.

Kinston downed Salem 5-1. Stephen Fife went 5 innings allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 8. Kyle Fernandes tossed an inning giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks. Jose Capellan pitched 2 innings giving up a run on 2 hits and a walk. He had 3 strikeouts. Derrick Loop threw a clean 9th inning. Anthony Rizzo went 2 for 4 with a RBI.

Greenville defeated Greensboro 6-1. Fabian Williamson started and went 5 scoreless innings allowing 2 hits. He had 4 strikeouts. Jeremy Kehrt went 3 innings and gave up a run on a hit and a walk. William Latimer pitched a clean 9th inning recording 1 strikeout. Pete Hissey went 2 for 5. Casey Kelly went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 3 and scored a run. Will Middlebrooks went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Mahoning Valley edged Lowell 7-6. Cesar Cabral went 4 innings giving up 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks. He had 3 strikeouts. Charlie Rosario pitched 3 innings giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 3. Kyle Rutter threw a clean inning with 1 strikeout. Derrik Gibson went 3 for 4 and scored a run. Daniel Butler went 2 for 5 with a RBI. Wilfred Pichardo went 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.

In rookie ball, the Twins despite being outhit edged the Red Sox 2-1. Hunter Cervenka started and went 3 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 3. Pete Ruiz pitched the final 5 innings and gave up a run on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 7. Ken Roque went 2 for 4. Tyler Yockey went 2 for 3 with a home run.

Player of the Night: Fabian Williamson who threw 5 scoreless innings in the Drive win. He gave up just 2 hits and did not allow a walk. He had 4 strikeouts.

Signings continue with LHP Webb

As the August 17 signing deadline nears, the Red Sox continued coming to terms with their 2009 draftees on Saturday. According to SoxProspects.com sources, the latest Sox pick to put pen to paper is left-handed pitcher Timmy Webb, the team's 31st-round pick out of Palm Beach Community College. Webb had attended the Fenway Classic on July 2, and was planning on transferring into Nova Southeastern University if he did not sign.

McGuiness homers and drives in 3 in Spinner win

8/15 Cup of Coffee: Friday's action saw Pawtucket rally with 3 runs in the 9th inning but still fall short dropping a 7-6 decision to Gwinnett. Charlie Zink started and went 4.1 innings allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and a walk. He struck out 5. Jose Vaquedano threw 0.2 of an inning giving up a run on a hit and 4 walks. TJ Large pitched 3 scoreless frames allowing a hit and a walk. Jeff Bailey went 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. Chris Carter went 3 for 3 with 2 RBI. Gil Velazquez went 2 for 3 and scored 3 runs.

Portland defeated Bowie 4-1 behind the strong starting performance of Felix Doubront. He went 6.1 innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 3 walks. He fanned 2. Chad Rhoades pitched 1.2 scoreless frames allowing a hit and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Dustin Richardson pitched a scoreless, hitless 9th inning allowing a walk. He struck out 2. Ryan Khoury went 2 for 4 and scored a run. Ryan Kalish went 1 for 4 with 3 RBI.

Kinston scored 3 times in the final 2 innings to down Salem 6-4. Eammon Portice went 5.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 8 hits. He did not walk a batter while recording 5 strikeouts. Armando Zerpa pitched 1.1 scoreless, hitless innings of middle relief giving up a walk. He fanned 2. Josh Papelbon pitched the final 2 innings and was charged with a blown save and the loss. He allowed 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk. Che-Hsuan Lin went 3 for 4 with a RBI. Mike Jones went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 runs scored. Jered Stanley went 2 for 4 and scored a run.

Greenville edged Greensboro 4-3. Michael Lee started and went 4 innings giving up a run on 3 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4. Mitch Herold threw 4 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 5. Jason Blackey pitched the 9th allowing a run on 2 hits. He had 2 strikeouts. Mitch Dening went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI. Pete Hissey went 2 for 3.

Lowell held off a 9th inning rally by Mahoning Valley to score a 6-5 victory over the Scrappers. Ryan Pressly went 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 5. Anatanaer Batista went 3.1 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Michael Bugary faced 2 hitters in the 9th inning and retired them both. Chris McGuiness went 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.

The Gulf Coast Red Sox scored 2 times in the bottom of the 8th inning to beak a 7-7 tie and score a 9-7 win over the Rays. Paul Byrd went 4 innings allowing 6 runs on 7 hits. He struck out 2. Randy Consuegra pitched the final 5 innings allowing a run on 2 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 8. Ken Roque went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Carson Blair went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

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

Parthemore signs on

The Sox have also signed 18th round pick Renny Parthemore, a right-hander out of Cedar Cliff High School in Pennsylvania, this according to WHPTV. Parthemore was ranked the 150th overall draft prospect nationwide by Baseball America, and 216th by PG Crosschecker.

Renfroe, Sox come to terms

As the deadline to sign Rule 4 draftees nears, the signings continue to pile up for the Red Sox. According to Baseball America's Jim Callis, Boston has come to terms with third-round pick David Renfroe on a signing bonus worth $1.4 million, a figure nearly five times the slot recommendation of the MLB commissioner's office. Because Renfroe is a two-sport athlete, his bonus will be spread out over the course of the next five years. He had been committed to attend Ole Miss, his father's alma matter. A two-way player at South Panola High School, Renfroe hit .509 with 4 home runs and 35 RBI as a shortstop during his senior season while going 3-3 with a 2.40 ERA as a pitcher. He was drafted by the Red Sox, 108th overall, primarily as a shortstop, and it is unlikely that he will pitch as a professional. With a solid offensive approach, Renfroe possesses average to above-average present power, with the potential to add more down the line. He hits to all fields with a smooth swing and good bat speed. Smart in the field and on the basepaths, Renfroe has a very good glove with average to above-average range and a plus arm.

Sox sign 28th rounder Eric Curtis

The Red Sox continued their signing spree this evening by inking 28th round pick Eric Curtis out of Miami-Dade CC South. Curtis, 19, was primarily a catcher in college, but there have been some indications that the Sox intend to use him as a pitcher. He hit .391 for Miami-Dade in 2009, but didn't pitch in a game. A native of Chester, Virginia, Curtis played for Virginia Commonwealth prior to transferring to Miami-Dade. His bonus is not believed to be above-slot, likely more in the $50,000 - $75,000 range.

Miles Head signs with Sox

Continuing a busy Friday for the Red Sox, Jim Callis of Baseball America is reporting that the team has signed 2009 twenty-sixth-round draft pick Miles Head. He will reportedly receive a signing bonus worth $335,000, a figure more than double the slot recommendation of the MLB commissioner's office. A third baseman from Whitewater High School in Fayetteville, Georgia, Head possesses excellent present power with plus power potential. His smooth right-handed swing and sound mechanics helped him hit .528 with 14 home runs, 48 RBI and a 1.260 slugging percentage during his senior season. A fluid defender in the field with excellent arm strength, Head had been committed to Georgia.

Sox send Negron to Cincinnati for Alex Gonzalez

In a season that has seen five players start a game at shortstop, the Red Sox will add a familiar name to the list. According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, Boston has acquired Reds shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who had cleared waivers this morning, in exchange for Salem infielder Kris Negron (pictured). Gonzalez is hitting .210/.258/.296 with 12 doubles, 3 home runs and 26 RBI in 2009, but so far this month the slick-fielding Venezuelan is hitting .275/.333/.400 in 40 at-bats. He is in the third year of the three-year, $14 million contract he signed with Cincinnati following his lone season with Boston in 2006, when he hit .255/.299/.397 with 9 home runs and 50 RBI for the Red Sox. The Reds will pay the remainder of his salary this season, and his contract also has a $6 million club option for 2010 with a $500,000 buyout. In parts of 11 seasons with Florida, Boston, and Cincinnati, the 32-year-old Gonzalez has hit .246/.293/.393 with 109 home runs and 506 RBI in 1185 games. He is not expected to report to the Red Sox until tomorrow, so a corresponding roster move will be made at that time.

Negron, a speedy infielder who can play just about any position on the field, was hitting .264/.338/.347 with 17 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 34 RBI for Salem in 2009. He was also 20 for 23 in stolen base attempts and had scored 69 runs in 111 games played. Originally a seventh-round draft choice by the Red Sox in 2006, Negron owns a career .255/.338/.357 line with 60 doubles, 19 triples, 16 home runs and 130 RBI in parts of 4 seasons in the organization spanning 405 games. He had not been rated among the top 60 prospects in the Red Sox system by SoxProspects.com

Sox sign 7th-rounder Younginer

This morning the Red Sox locked up seventh-round draft pick Madison Younginer to a deal believed to be in the $1-million range. Younginer, 18, joins the Sox organization out of Mauldin High School in South Carolina. Mauldin is just outside of Greenville, South Carolina, the home of Boston's Low-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive. Younginer had previously committed to Clemson University after going 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 33/12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2009. He was considered to be in the top fifty of all draft-eligible players in 2009, but slipped to the seventh round due to signability concerns. Coming out of high school, he already possesses an impressive array of pitches, including a mid-90s fastball, a low-80s changeup, and two potentially plus breaking pitches in development. On the downside, his ability to use his fastball proved more successful out of the bullpen in high school, and his mechanics may need some work. Younginer flew into Boston yesterday and inked his deal this morning, just days before the August 17 signing deadline.

Update: Multiple reports now indicate that Younginer will receive a $975,000 bonus, and that he will actually put pen to paper and finalize the deal on Saturday morning.

Second update: Younginer ended up finalizing the deal this afternoon.

Perez tosses 5 scoreless innings in Spinner win

8/14 Cup of Coffee: On Thursday, Charlotte defeated Pawtucket 5-3. Kris Johnson started the game and went 3.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. He struck out 3. Rocky Cherry tossed 1.1 frames allowing a run on 4 hits. He had a strikeout. Hunter Jones pitched 1.2 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 2. Marcus McBeth pitched the final 1.1 frames and did not allow a run. He gave up a hit and 2 base on balls. Angel Chavez went 2 for 3 with a RBI.

Altoona edged Portland 9-8 in 10 innings. Kason Gabbard went 2.2 innings allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and 7 walks. He fanned 5. Chris Province threw 2.1 scoreless frames allowing 2 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Tommy Hottovy threw 1.2 scoreless frames giving up 1 hit. He struck out 2. Andrew Dobies went 1.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He fanned 1. Bryce Cox went 1.2 innings allowing the tying run in the bottom of the ninth and the winning run in the tenth. He allowed 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3. Iggy Suarez went 3 for 6 and scored 2 runs. Daniel Nava continued to swing a hot bat going 3 for 4 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.

Salem got by Myrtle Beach 7-4. Dave McKae threw 6 innings allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk. He fanned 4. Jason Rice threw 2 scoreless frames giving up a hit and 2 walks. He struck out 3. Kyle Fernandes pitched the ninth and allowed 3 runs on a hit. He struck out 2. Jon Hee went 2 for 5 with a RBI.

Greensboro downed Greenville 8-2. Caleb Clay went 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks. He had 2 strikeouts. Felix Ventura threw 2 innings giving up 4 runs on 5 hits. He struck out 2. Chad Povich pitched 2 innings allowing a run on 3 hits. He fanned 3. Ryan Lavarnway went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Lowell defeated Jamestown 5-1. Pedro Perez started and threw 5 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and a walk. He had a strikeout. Tom Ebert threw 2 innings giving up a run on 5 hits. He had a strikeout. Jeremiah Bayer threw 2 clean innings recording 3 strikeouts. Ryan Westmoreland went 2 for 4. Mike Almanzar went 2 for 5 and scored a run. Alex Hassan went 2 for 5 and scored a run. Wilfred Pichardo went 3 for 4 and scored a run.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Reds downed the Red Sox 4-3. Roman Mendez went 3.1 frames giving up 3 runs on 4 hits and a walk. He had 2 strikeouts. Michael Lennox went 1.2 innings allowing a run on 3 hits. Jordan Flasher tossed 2 scoreless innings giving up a hit and a walk. He had a strikeout. Swen Huijer pitched 2 clean frames recording 1 strikeout. Reymond Fuentes went 3 for 5 with a RBI. Jordan Sallis went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a RBI.

Player of the Night: Pedro Perez who tossed 5 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and a walk in the Spinner win

Exposito has 4 hits and 4 RBI in Sea Dog win

8/13 Cup of Coffee: After a long vacation it is good to be back with a big mug of java in front of me as we hit the home stretch of the season. Many thanks to Zach for being such an able replacement for this reporter during that time.
Last night, Charlotte downed Pawtucket 6-2. Adam Mills went 2 innings allowing 5 runs on 9 hits and a walk. Billy Traber tossed 4 innings giving up a run on 2 hits and a walk. He struck out 3. TJ Large pitched the final 2 innings and did not allow a run on a hit and a walk. The offense managed just 3 hits with Chris Carter going 2 for 3 with a run scored.

Portland hammered Altoona 13-4. Blake Maxwell pitched 4 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks. He had a strikeout. Ryne Miller went 3.1 innings and gave up a run on 3 hits. He struck out 4. Dustin Richardson retired 5 hitters in a row to end the game striking out 3 of them. Iggy Suarez went 2 for 6 and scored 2 runs. Jon Still went 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. Daniel Nava went 2 for 3 with a home run and 3 runs scored. He is now hitting .412 since his promotion. Luis Exposito went 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. He is hitting .448 since his call up. Yamaico Navarro went 2 for 5 with a home run and 4 RBI. Jason Place went 3 for 5 and scored a run.

Salem pounded Myrtle Beach 16-2. Kyle Weiland threw 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks. He fanned 5. Robert Coello pitched 3 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit. He had 5 strikeouts. Derrick Loop pitched a clean inning with a strikeout to end the contest. The Salem offense produced 20 hits in the one-sided game with Che-Hsuan Lin going 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Tim Federowicz went 3 for 6 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. Mike Jones went 4 for 5 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI. David Mailman went 3 for 6 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Aaron Reza went 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored and a RBI. Kris Negron went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs.

Lowell swept both games of their doubleheader against Jamestown. They took the first game 3-1. Yeiper Castillo threw 6 innings giving up a run on 3 hits and 2 walks. Dennis Neuman pitched a scoreless inning allowing 1 hit. He fanned 2. William Holmes went 3 for 3 with a run scored. Daniel Butler went 1 for 3 with a home run and 3 RBI. The Spinners took the second contest 1-0 behind the strong starting performance of Jose Alvarez threw a complete game going 7 scoreless innings giving up 4 hits and a walk. He had 6 strikeouts. Sean Killeen went 2 for 3.

Both Greenville and the Gulf Coast League Red Sox were idle last night.

Player of the Night: Luis Exposito who had 4 hits, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI in the Sea Dog win

Pitcher of the Week, August 3-9: Adam Mills

It's tough to have a better week than Adam Mills did, as the 24-year-old righthander dominated his lone start, got called up to Triple-A Pawtucket, and earned SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week honors for August 3-9. In 8.0 innings pitched on August 7 against Altoona, Mills allowed just 1 unearned run on 5 hits, walking nobody and striking out 8 to earn his tenth Eastern League win of the season. Mills, who was also named the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July, was an eighth-round draft choice by the Red Sox in 2007 out of UNC Charlotte. In 110.1 innings this season for Portland, Mills has gone 10-5 with a 4.24 ERA and 73 strikeouts.

Player of the Week, August 3-9: Jorge Jimenez

A combination of patience and power allowed Jorge Jimenez to dominate the polls and walk away with SoxProspects.com Player of the Week honors for August 3-9. The big Sea Dogs third baseman hit an impressive .455/.571/.864 in 28 plate appearances during the week, including 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 5 RBI, and 3 runs scored, walking 5 times while striking out on only 3 occasions. The 24-year-old Jimenez was also the SoxProspects.com Player of the Week for May 11-17 and the SoxProspects.com Player of the Month for April. Currently the twenty-fourth ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization by SoxProspects.com, Jimenez has hit .296/.374/.449 so far in 2009 with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 12 home runs and 67 RBI in 399 at-bats.

The Ladder- 8.12.09

Adam Mills

The Line: On a roll since June, in his last 61 innings pitched Mills has given up 49 hits and 12 earned runs while recording 43 strikeouts against just 10 walks. Mills has gone 7-0 since July 1, covering 43 innings with 35 hits against and 9 earned runs allowed. On July 31 against Harrisburg, Mills went 7 innings while giving up 5 hits and 3 earned runs against. Mills struck out 3 in the outing and did not allow a walk. He had his best performance of the season on August 6 against Altoona, firing 8 shutout innings and striking out 8 batters, only allowing 5 hits. Mills’ 10 wins on the season ranked him second in the Eastern League prior to his promotion to Pawtucket on August 8.

The View: Mills relies on his control of his arsenal to get batters out while having them reach or get jammed on balls they put into play. To start the season, his 88-90 MPH fastball was grabbing far too much of the plate, and batters were making a lot of solid contact against the pitch. As the season has gone on, he’s been able to work the corners more and consistently change speeds when he is ahead of batters to limit the solid contact against him, relying on his fielders to make the plays behind him. Mills can also run and sink his fastball to change the look of the pitch, and he also features a change-up to keep hitters off-balance, a late breaking slider, and an average knuckle-curveball. Mills has his best results when he is mixing these pitches in to keep batters guessing and get them out on their front foot. A starter for all of his tenure within the Red Sox system, Mills will start out in the rotation for the Pawtucket Red Sox as well, but his long-term future looks to be as an arm out of the bullpen. However, as long as Mills continues to have success in the role, the organization will continue to use him in that capacity. A tough competitor, Mills goes right after hitters with excellent command and control of his entire repertoire. Now at the highest level of the minors, he must continue to live in the lower part of the strike zone and keep hitters guessing. Mills cannot afford to live off any of his pitches, but as a whole they have been an effective combination for most of the season at Double A. Drafted in 2007, Mills has climbed to Triple-A in his second full season in the system and lends the Red Sox more depth, either as a starter or as a potential arm out of the bullpen.

Ryan Kalish

The Line: After struggling to an 8-for-60 start in Portland after being promoted from Salem in June, Kalish has turned things around and is now 31 for his last 93 with 5 home runs, 10 doubles, and an OPS of 1.008 during that stretch. He’s also scored 26 runs for the Sea Dogs during that time, mostly hitting out of the second slot in the lineup. He’s been especially hot in his last 10 games, going 14 for 37 with 3 home runs. On August 8 against Altoona, he went 2 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI. Kalish followed that up with a 4-for-4 performance against Bowie that included a solo homer and 4 runs scored. He’s currently fourth on the Sea Dogs in home runs and fourth in runs scored despite only playing 76 games with the team.

The View: Kalish has been hot since his tough month to start his Double-A career and has put the lingering doubts of the 2008 season (when he struggled with post-surgery pain in his hand) behind him. A strong player with a quick stroke, Kalish has been unleashing his swing in the last six weeks as he has squared up more balls. A line-drive hitter, he creates a lot of backspin on the ball and hits balls to all fields with authority. Kalish is able to wait long enough on the ball to serve tough pitches to the opposite field, while possessing the pitch recognition to jump out in front of balls and drive them into the right-centerfield gap. He initially saw a spike in his strikeouts upon being promoted to Portland, but as he has settled in these have normalized close to his rates in the low-minors. His control of the strike zone and approach have steadily improved as he has logged experience in the Red Sox system, and he has become an above-average hitter in terms of these traits. A key to his success has been his ability to stay back on his back leg while keeping his hands back, instead of jumping out at pitches and lunging on his front foot. His versatility in the field allows his name to be penciled into all three outfield spots, although he ultimately projects as a corner outfielder at the big league level. Kalish projects to have good range and an above-average arm at either the rightfield or leftfield positions in the future. The way a player adjusts is a good sign of the progress he is making, and Kalish has so far made the necessary adjustments to take the next steps in his development. The conclusion of his season will lend a good look at how close he is at making the next round of adjustments, when pitchers change their patterns against him in the Eastern League and beyond.

Trending Up

After a tough start with Salem, Kyle Weiland has been extremely strong for the Red Sox since June, going 2-4 with a 1.66 ERA in his last 10 starts. Weiland has limited batters to 43 hits in 54 1/3 innings and has fanned 42 hitters in that span. Using a heavy 2-seam fastball that sits 92-93 MPH, he is very effective when he keeps the ball down and stays on top of the pitch through his delivery, which creates some nice downward tilt. Weiland also features a high 70’s curveball with plus potential and a developing change-up. Much of his development centers on the sharpening of his secondary pitches as a starter and how well he’ll be able to mix them in to complement his plus fastball. A 2008 draft pick, Weiland started the season in High-A after spending last summer with the Lowell Spinners, where he posted a 1.50 ERA in 15 appearances and limited batters to a .168 batting average against…After a mid-season lull, Portland’s Jorge Jimenez has hit his stride once again and is 15 for his last 39 with 2 home runs and 8 runs driven in. Jimenez has struck out 6 times and walked 5 times in the stretch. The recently named SoxProspects.com Player of the Week has posted an OPS of .823 on the season and made strong strides with his approach at the plate in 2009…Derrik Gibson has once again been Lowell’s hottest hitter. After starting off the season on a tear and coming back down to Earth, Gibson is 17 for his last 47 with 8 runs scored, hitting mostly out of the second slot for the Spinners. The 19-year-old has been streaky on the season, but recently has been back to squaring the ball up to produce line drives and staying back on the ball much better than he did in July, when he hit .178 for the month.

Trending Down

Hunter Jones has had a rocky second half with the Paw Sox and has now allowed 12 earned runs in his last 15 innings to go along with 16 hits against. The left-handed reliever has been hit hard in his recent outings, including getting tagged with 5 earned runs in his last appearance against Charlotte. Jones has struggled with his fastball command and has been leaving the pitch over the middle of the plate during this rough patch…After a strong July that included 18 runs driven in and an OPS of .886, Lowell’s Chris McGuiness has hit a bit of a snag at the plate and is 8 for his last 43. The left-hand hitting first baseman has made his hits count, however, as he has driven in 15 runs during the span, which includes 6 mulitple-RBI games…Hunter Cervenka has struggled with his control in the GCL, issuing 20 free passes in 15 1/3 innings of work. The hard-throwing left-handed pitcher has had trouble finding his release point and controlling his fastball so far this season.

Jones helps Salem sweep double-header

Pawtucket scored single runs in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings and Michael Bowden and the bullpen were brilliant en route to a 4-0 victory over Charlotte. Bowden improved to 4-5 by allowing just 3 hits and 3 walks in 5.1 scoreless innings, striking out 4. Rocky Cherry went the next 1.2, allowing 3 hits and a walk. Javier Lopez struck out 2 in his 1.2 frames, and Jose Vaquedano punched out the only hitter he faced to end the game. Chris Duncan and Gil Velazquez carried the offense, as each man went 2 for 4 with a home run. Aaron Bates and Angel Chavez each went 2 for 4 as well, and Ivan Ochoa went 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.

It was a long night in Altoona for the Sea Dogs, as the Curve scored early and often and earned a 10-3 win. The brunt of the damage came against Ryne Lawson, who lasted just 3.0 innings but allowed 8 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks, striking out only 1 to fall to 3-10. Chad Rhoades wasn't much better in relief, as he allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk in his 2.0 innings, although he did strike out 3. Richie Lentz, Andrew Dobies, and Bryce Cox each tossed a scoreless frame to finish things up, but it was too little, too late for Portland by then. Luis Exposito had the best offensive showing for the Sea Dogs, going 3 for 4 with an RBI.

In the first of two for Salem on Tuesday, Seth Garrison and Armando Zerpa limited Myrtle Beach to just 5 hits as the Red Sox came away with the win, 3-2 in a seven-inning affair. Garrison went the first 4.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk, striking out 6. Zerpa (1-2) was nearly unhittable in his 3.0 frames, as he allowed only 1 to go along with a walk and 2 strikeouts to earn the win. Red Sox DH Chih-Hsien Chiang provided most of the offense, going 1 for 3 with a 2-run home run in the fifth. Tim Federowicz also went deep in 3 at-bats, hitting a solo shot in the fourth, while Jon Hee went 2 for 3. Mike Jones also had a nice day, going 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.

Better offense and better pitching contributed to Salem's 10-1 annihilation of Myrtle Beach in game two, which also went seven innings. This time it was Jose Capellan and Josh Papelbon who held the Pelicans to just 5 hits, with Capellan going the first 3.2 giving up 4 of said knocks while striking out 4. Papelbon went the final 3.1 and gave up just the 1 hit while striking out a batter to improve to 4-1. Doubles were wild for the Salem offense, as the Red Sox hit 5 total in the game. Mike Jones hit one of them, as he went 3 for 5 with an RBI and 3 runs scored. Tim Federowicz also hit one, and he also went 3 for 5 with an RBI. Che-Hsuan Lin went 2 for 3 with a double, 2 walks, 2 runs score and a steal, and David Mailman went 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI and 2 runs score. Luis Segovia actually drove in the most runs of any Red Sox hitter, going 2 for 4 with a double and 4 RBI.

What was a close game throughout became a heart-breaking loss for the Drive, as they allowed 4 runs in the bottom of the eighth and couldn't come back in the ninth, losing 5-2. Thus a brilliant start by Jeremy Kehrt was wasted, as Kehrt went 6.0 innings allowing only 1 run on 5 hits and a walk, striking out 2. Jason Blackey (0-1) ended up the loser in this one as he allowed 4 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 2.0 innings. Greenville ended up with only 3 hits in the game, but 2 belonged to Casey Kelly, who went 2 for 4 with a home run, his first of the year, and 2 runs scored.

Lowell's game against Jamestown was postponed due to rain.

In another tightly contested battle, the GCL Red Sox emerged victorious over the GCL Orioles, winning a close 3-2 decision in a game that went ten innings. Drake Britton started this one and went 2.0 scoreless innings, while Manny Rivera allowed only 2 unearned runs in his 4.0 frames. Cesare Angeloni went the next 3.0 scoreless innings to earn the win, and Justin Erasmus closed it out with a scoreless ninth. Juan Bonifacio went 2 for 4 with a triple for the Red Sox, and Maykol Sanchez went 2 for 4 as well. Felix Sanchez was 1 for 5 with a home run in the game.

Sound pitching and sufficient hitting propelled the DSL Red Sox to victory against the DSL Royals, 4-1. Francisco Taveras (3-2) continued his mound dominance with 5.0 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and 2 runs while striking out 6. Wilfi Santana went the rest of the way, allowing just the 1 run on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 4. Curtney Doran was the offensive leader for the Red Sox, going 2 for 4 with an RBI, a run scored and his twentieth steal of the season. Heiker Menses also had a good night, going 2 for 3 with a triple and a run scored.

Player of the Night: Mike Jones, who went a combined 4 for 7 with 2 doubles as Salem swept a double-header over Myrtle Beach.

Q&A with Eammon Portice

Eammon Portice signed a professional contract with the Red Sox in 2007 after being drafted in the eleventh round out of High Point University. After pitching in Lowell’s bullpen in 2007 and splitting 2008 between Greenville’s bullpen and rotation, Portice impressed during the Fall Instructional League, earning the opportunity to pitch in the Arizona Fall League as a replacement for Clay Buchholz. This season, Eammon has posted an impressive strike-out rate while generating ground balls at a good clip and limiting free passes as a mainstay of the Salem rotation. Recently, Eammon answered a couple questions from SoxProspects.com’s Aaron Schwam.

Aaron Schwam: What are your developmental goals for this season? Have you set them for yourself and/or have the Red Sox laid them out for you?
Eammon Portice: My developmental goals for this year are to be more consistent and improve my breaking ball. These goals were set by the Red Sox and myself at the beginning of the year.

AS: How you would describe your arsenal, and which pitch do you feel is your best?
EP: My primary pitch is a sinker. We ended up scrapping my curveball and going with a slider this year, which feels more natural and comfortable. I also throw a change-up and a split finger. My split finger is my out pitch – it’s more of a swing-and-miss pitch. However, I believe my best pitch is my fastball. If I place it in the right spot I should get the groundballs and results that I am looking for.

AS: How would you describe your approach on the mound?
EP: My approach is to get ahead of hitters with my fastball and get them swinging. Then, as the game goes on, I can use my secondary pitches to try and strike hitters out. I see myself primarily as a ground ball pitcher and that is what I try to get.

AS: You are 24 and pitching well in the Carolina league. Does it ever get frustrating waiting for a promotion?
EP: It does get frustrating in a way, but where is there to go? There are so many prospects in this organization that you just have to bide your time and just worry about yourself.

AS: Many scouting reports project you as likely to make the majors as a reliever. How do you feel about that and how do you feel about relieving in general?
EP: Relieving versus starting, it doesn’t really matter what I’m doing as long as I’m pitching. I've done both in pro ball so far, and if that’s how I can make it to the Majors, then it’s fine with me.

AS: Has any member of the organization made a positive impression on you and helped you get better?
EP: I think I have learned a lot from everyone I have run into since becoming a professional. One member of the organization or another has helped me with my mechanics, timing or a new grip on a pitch. Individually, I don’t think I could single one person out, but I definitely have received help along the way.

AS: Eammon is a unique name. Is there a story about how your parents decided on that name?
EP: It's an Irish name and it was a runner in the Olympics. (Ed.’s Note: Irish runner Eamonn Coghlan was a three-time Olympian and former World Champion.) My mom and dad saw the guy on TV and really liked his name and so when I was born they decided to give me the name with a different spelling.

AS: Who is Eammon Portice? What do you like to do off the field?
EP: I am an avid fisherman off the field. In spring training I think I fish more than I actually play baseball. I also like to play XBox and just hang out while off the field. At home, I’m big into hanging out with my fiancé, Christina, and the rest of my family. I've been told I’m not a very serious guy and am always looking for a laugh, so that’s about me in a nutshell.

Tenth-round pick Jacobs agrees to terms

According to Jim Callis of Baseball America, the Red Sox and 2009 tenth-round draft pick Brandon Jacobs have agreed to terms on a signing bonus worth a reported $750,000, a figure $600,000 higher than the slot recommendation of the MLB commissioner's office. A raw hitter at the plate, Jacobs possesses a powerful bat with big-time home run potential. As an outfielder, he has quick acceleration and his speed is above average, but he has a below-average arm. Jacobs had been committed to Auburn, where he was to play both football (as a running back) and baseball. As a senior at Parkview High School in Georgia, Jacobs hit .511 with seven home runs and 16 runs batted in.

Moanaroa collects 4 hits in GCL Sox loss

It was a light day of action for Sox affiliates, as Portland, Salem, and Lowell were idle on Monday. After blowing a 4-run lead in the eighth inning and subsequently re-tying the score in the ninth, Pawtucket went on to win a thriller over Charlotte, 6-5 in twelve innings. Chris Duncan, who went 1 for 6, led off the twelfth with a double and scored with 2 outs on a passed ball by Knights catcher Tyler Flowers. Aaron Bates, though, was the offensive star for the Red Sox, going 2 for 5 with a walk, a home run and 3 RBI. Mark Wagner also went 2 for 5, including a double and an RBI, and Chris Carter went 2 for 4 with 2 walks. Bubba Bell, who replaced the rehabbing Jeff Bailey in the bottom of the eighth, went 2 for 2 with a double and a triple, and Brian Anderson, making his first start against his former team, went 2 for 6. On the mound, it was another strong performance for stop-gap starter Randor Bierd, who went 5.1 scoreless innings yielding only 3 hits, striking out 5. Hunter Jones went the next 1.2 innings but ran into major trouble in the eighth. He ended up being charged with 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk. Marcus McBeth, Javier Lopez, and TJ Large went the next 5.0 scoreless innings to close it out, with Large (3-1) doing 2.1 innings of that work to earn the win.

Bowling Green scored early and late to take an 8-4 victory over Greenville. Fabian Williamson (8-4) was tagged with the loss, going 5.0 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk, striking out 4. Lance McClain was a bit more effective on this night, tossing 2.0 frame while allowing 1 run on 4 hits, striking out 2, but Chad Povich couldn't keep the Drive in the game as he allowed 3 runs on 4 hits in just 1.0 inning of work. Mitch Dening continued to swing a hot stick for Greenville, going 2 for 3 with a walk, a double, 2 RBI and a run scored. Pete Hissey had nearly an identical line, going 2 for 3 with a walk, a double, and a run scored. Both men also stole a base, as did Zach Gentile (1 for 4) and Ryan Lavarnway (1 for 3), with the latter collecting his first theft of the season.

The scoring came fast and heavy for both sides after a relatively dosile start in the Sunshine State, but the GCL Red Sox dropped an 11-6 decision to the GCL Twins. The Sox lineup scattered their 11 hits, although 4 of them did belong to Boss Moanaroa, who went 4 for 5 with a double and an RBI in the losing effort. Felix Sanchez went 2 for 5 with a triple and a run scored, while Ken Roque went 1 for 2 with a double, 2 walks, and 2 runs scored. Tyler Yockey and Roberto Ramos each only had 1 hit, but each man drove in 2 runs. On the mound, it was the rehabbing Paul Byrd who got the start as he tries to prepare for stretch-drive major league action. Byrd went the first 3.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, striking out 1. Richie Wasielewski came on in relief but provided little of it, allowing 6 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in just 2.1 innings. Kyle Stroup wasn't much better in his 2.2 innings, as he allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. Dustin Mercandante put an end to the madness with a perfect ninth, including 2 strikeouts, but it was too little, too late for the Red Sox in this one.

Finally, in the Dominican Summer League, the DSL Red Sox took down the best of the DSL Brewers and Orioles, earning a 6-4 victory. Yunior Ortega got things started and allowed only 2 unearned runs on 4 hits in his 4.2 frames, walking 2 and striking out 6. William Cuevas (4-1) took over and earned the win by firing 4.1 innings of his own, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk, striking out 5. Luis Urena had a nice showing at the plate, going 2 for 4 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored, while Roberto Doran went 1 for 3 with 2 walks and a home run, his second of the year. Dreily Guerrero also went 1 for 3 with 2 walks, as the Red Sox collected an astounding 14 free passes on the night.

Player of the Night: Boss Moanaroa, who went 4 for 5 with a double in a losing cause.

Kalish perfect at plate in Portland win

On a night when the Pawtucket and DSL Red Sox were idle, Portland worked over Bowie and won 8-2. Ryan Kalish led the Sea Dogs charge, going 4 for 4 with a home run, a walk and 4 runs scored. Jorge Jimenez also had a good afternoon, going 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI and a run scored, while Daniel Nava went 2 for 4 with a double, a triple and 3 RBI. On the mound, it was Jarrod Plummer's 6.0 scoreless innings that set the tone. Plummer allowed only 1 walk and 1 hit, striking out 3 to improve to 8-6. Chris Province wasn't quite as effective, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in his 2.0 innings of work. Andrew Dobies closed things out with a perfect ninth.

Former Salem starter Bryan Price, now pitching in the Indians organization for Kinston, went 6.0 strong innings as Salem lost again, this time by a 6-3 score. Most of the damage was done to Stephen Fife (2-1), who gave up 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in 4.0 innings, striking out 3. Jason Rice went the next 2.o innings scoreless, allowing only 1 hit and 2 walks and striking out 5. Derrick Loop pitched the final 2.0 innings and allowed a run on a solo home run, striking out 4. Che-Hsuan Lin did have a nice night against Price, going 2 for 4 with a solo home run off the former Salem starter in the third. Mike Jones also went 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Jon Hee went 2 for 5 with an RBI of his own.

Despite a furious comeback attempt, Greenville came up just short and lost to Bowling Green 5-4. Mike Lee started for the Drive and did well, going 5.0 innings giving up only 1 run on 4 hits and a walk, striking out 5. Leandro Marin (1-2) wasn't quite so effective, as he allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits in just 0.2 innings to take the loss. Mitch Herold went the final 2.1 perfect innings to keep Greenville in the game, but it was not meant to be. The Drive lineup scattered its 10 hits, with the only concentration coming in the line of Shannon Wilkerson, who went 3 for 4 with a double, a triple and 2 runs scored. Ryan Lavarnway, Ty Weeden, Kade Keowen, Ryan Dent, and Oscar Tejeda each went 1 for 3, and the only Greenville starter not to record a hit was Casey Kelly, who was 0-5 as the Drive shortstop.

After trading 3-run sixth innings, Batavia hitters exploded to score 7 runs in the top of the eighth, toppling Lowell 10-3. Alex Wilson continued his first-year dominance to begin the festivities, throwing 3.0 more scoreless frames allowing only 1 walk and 1 hit, striking out 4 to lower his ERA to 0.38. Tom Ebert pitched scoreless fourth and fifth innings before running into trouble in the sixth, going 2.1 innings in all allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks, striking out 1. Michael Bugary went the next 1.1 and allowed 1 run of his own on 3 hits, but it was Wang-Yi Lin who got torched in the eighth, allowing 6 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks, allowing as many home runs (2) as outs recorded. Dennis Neuman pitched the final 1.2 innings and also allowed a run on 1 hit and 1 walk. The Spinners pounded out 12 hits in this one, led by the 3-for-5 performance of Derrick Gibson, including a double and a run scored. Drew Hedman, Alex Hassan, and Tom Di Benedetto each went 2 for 4.

Able to come through where the big league club could not, the GCL Red Sox scored 7 runs in the final 2 innings to walk off with the win against the GCL Rays, 8-7. Two Rays errors in the bottom of the ninth contributed to the win, including a missed catch that allowed the winning run to score. There were plenty of hits too, however, including 3 for Felix Sanchez in 5 at-bats, one of which drove in a run. Reymond Fuentes also collected 3 hits, his in 6 at-bats, including a double and an RBI of his own. Maykol Sanchez went 2 for 4, and Ken Roque went 2 for 5 with an RBI. On the mound, Pete Ruiz got the start and went 5.0 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk, striking out 4. Sven Huijer allowed 2 runs in his 2.0 innings of work, and he once again did not walk a batter. Justin Erasmus also allowed a run in his 2.0 innings, but he was on the mound when the offense woke up and earned the win to improve to 2-2.

Player of the Night: Ryan Kalish, who was a perfect 4 for 4, including a home run, a walk and 4 runs scored.

Cabrera, MIlls promoted

The revolving door in the Boston bullpen continues to turn, and this time it's Fernando Cabrera's turn. Cabrera, the Pawtucket closer who is 20 for 20 in save opportunities this season, has been called up to the major leagues. The 27-year-old righthander has put up a 1.69 ERA in 48.0 Triple-A innings, striking out 45 and walking 20 while limiting opposing hitters to a .202 average. He has spent parts of five seasons in the major leagues in his career for Cleveland and Baltimore, going 8-7 with a 5.02 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 168.2 innings. He will be taking the place of Enrique Gonzalez, who was designated for assignment just a day after being called up from Pawtucket and throwing 1.2 innings against the Yankees in New York.

Taking the Pawtucket roster spot vacated by Cabrera will be Adam Mills, who was promoted from Double-A Portland after the Sea Dogs game this afternoon, this according to Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald. Mills, an eighth-round draft choice by the Red Sox in 2007, had gone 10-5 with a 4.24 ERA in 20 Double-A starts. In 110.1 innings, Mills had struck out 73 and walked only 26. In two plus seasons in the Red Sox system, Mills has put up a 20-15 career record with a 3.97 ERA in 290.0 innings.

Sox affiliates split Futures at Fenway

An early lead and initially solid pitching by Charlie Zink were not enough to hold back the Tide(s), as Norfolk ultimately coasted to a 7-3 victory over Pawtucket in the second game of the Futures at Fenway double-header. Zink, who went 3.0 scoreless before running into trouble, ended up going 5.1 innings yielding 5 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, striking out 1 but taking the loss (5-12). TJ Large was the first Pawtucket reliever but he provided little relief, going 1.2 innings allowing 2 runs of his own on 3 hits and a walk. Rocky Cherry put a cherry on this one with 2.0 scoreless frames, striking out 2. Jeff Bailey was the production leader for the Red Sox, going 1 for 3 with a 2-run single in the third, while Chris Carter went 2 for 4.

Earlier in the day at Fenway Park, Portland and Bowie were involved in a hard-fought and even battle, one that was ultimately won by the home-town nine, 3-2. It all began with a solid start from Felix Doubront, who struck out the side in the first and ended up going 5.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 7 in all. Ryne Miller (1-1) was up next and ended up earning the win as he held Bowie scoreless in his 2.o innings of work. Dustin Richardson finished this one off with 2.0 scoreless innings of his own to earn the save. All the Sea Dogs offense was provided by nine hitter Jason Place, who went 1 for 3 with a 2-run home run, the only extra-base hit by a Sox prospect during either game at Fenway, and an RBI hit by pitch. Jon Still and Luis Exposito each went 2 for 4.

The pitching wasn't quite as solid down in Kinston, as Salem struggled to a 7-1 setback. Despite taking the loss to fall to 6-6, Eammon Portice put in a solid effort, going 5.0 innings allowing just 2 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks, striking out 5. Kyle Fernandes had a bit less luck, as he allowed 5 runs on 6 hits and a walk in just 1.0 inning. Robert Coello went the last 2.0 innings, recording 5 of his 6 outs on strikeouts. Tim Federowicz drove in the only Salem run and went 2 for 4. Aaron Reza and Kris Negron each went 1 for 3.

Greenville made sure that at least one Sox affiliate would have a good night at the dish, pounding out 11 hits and scoring 9 runs in a 9-2 drubbing of Bowling Green. Mitch Dening once again led the charge, going 2 for 4 with a triple, a home run, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Pete Hissey wasn't far behind, going 2 for 2 with a walk, a triple, an RBI, a stolen base and 3 runs scored. Oscar Tejeda also had a strong game, going 3 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI. It was the Caleb Clay and Will Latimer show on the mound, as the former went 5.1 allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk with 6 strikeouts, and the latter went 3.2 scoreless to earn the win (1-0).

It was an extra-innings heart breaker in Lowell Saturday night, as a 3-0 lead transmogrified into a 4-3 loss to Batavia in ten innings. Pedro Perez got the start, going the first 5.0 innings allowing just 1 run on 2 hits and a walk, striking out 2. Anatanaer Batista followed him to the bump and allowed the tying runs to score, only 1 of which was earned, on 4 hits in his 3.0 innings, although he did strikeout 7. Kyle Rutter (1-1) took the loss when he gave up the winning run in the tenth, going 2.0 innings in all allowing 4 hits and a walk. Hits were hard to come by for the Spinners, as Drew Dominguez and Sean Killeen each went 2 for 4 to pace the offense.

In a game that was tame in the early innings and wild at the end, the GCL Red Sox prevailed over the GCL Reds, 5-4, scoring 2 runs in the eighth and ninth. Ken Roque, whose bloop 2-run double in the ninth provided the margin of victory for the Red Sox, went 2 for 3 with a walk. Tyler Yockey went 2 for 4 with a run scored, while Bryan Peterson also went 2 for 4, including a double and an RBI. Roman Mendez went the first 1.1 innings and allowed a hit and a walk before being replaced by Randy Consuegra, who went the next 4.2 innings allowing only 2 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 4. Michael Lennox allowed 2 runs in his 2.0 innings but emerged with the win (2-0), and Dustin Mercandante tossed a perfect ninth to earn his third save.

In an equally wild one in the Dominican Summer League, the DSL Red Sox nearly came back from a 9-0 deficit afte 2.0 innings, but ended up falling 13-9 to the DSL Mets. Nestor Lestreto was roughed up in the first, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits while recording only 2 outs to fall to 6-2. Ronald Juan went 4.1 innings to keep the Red Sox in it, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and a walk. Eduardo Medina allowed a run in his inning of work, and Samuel Garcia allowed 3 runs while recording only 1 out in the seventh. Danny Dilon went the rest of the way, going 1.2 scoreless. Offensively, only two Red Sox players had impressive performances, including a 3-for-3 showing by Aly Gonzalez. Keury De La Cruz went 3 for 5 with a double and 3 RBI.

Player of the Night: Pedro Perez, who allowed only 3 baserunners in 5.0 innings for Lowell.

Dening collects 4 hits in losing cause

Pawtucket will look to start a winning streak heading into today's Futures at Fenway festivities, as the Red Sox downed Norfolk last night, 6-2. Leading the way was Kris Johnson, who pitched the first 6.0 innings allowing only 1 run on 4 hits and a walk, striking out 3. Jose Vaquedano walked the first 3 hitters he faced in the seventh before being lifted for Javier Lopez, who allowed 1 inherited runner to score to tie the game 2-2 but was otherwise effective, throwing 1.0 perfect inning with a strikeout. Lopez earned the win, his first of the year, when Pawtucket scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh and hung on to win behind the shut-down bullpen work of Fernando Cabrera, who went the final 2.0 innings allowing just 1 walk to earn his twentieth save. The aforementioned go-ahead run was produced off the bat of Brian Anderson, who went 1 for 4 with a solo home run. Jeff Natale later provided insurance for the Red Sox with his 3-run home run in the eighth, part of a 2-for-4, 2-run performance. Mark Wagner drove in the first 2 Pawtucket runs with a double in the first, going 1 for 3 in all.

Portland will also be looking to extend a winning streak today at Fenway Park, as the Sea Dogs rode sensational mound work to a 1-0 shutout of Bowie. Blake Maxwell started and earned the win (4-7), throwing the first 6.0 innings allowing 4 hits and a walk to go along with 1 strikeout. Chad Rhoades went the next 1.2 frames allowing just 2 hits, and Andrew Dobies and Bryce Cox each threw 0.2 hitless innings to close it out, with Cox striking out both batters he faced to earn his ninth save. The Sea Dogs offense managed just 2 hits in the game, with the RBI knock coming off the bat of Jon Still, who went 1 for 3. Luis Exposito also went 1 for 3, while Ryan Kalish managed to steal 2 bases and score the game's only run after walking in the sixth.

Red Sox pitching wasn't quite so stellar down in Kinston, as Salem got drubbed to the tune of 9-1. Dave McKae was the primary punching bag in this one, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits and a walk in 5.1 innings, although he did strike out 5. Armando Zerpa could not stop the scoring, allowing a run in his 1.2 innings, and Jose Capellan fared even worse, surrendering 3 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in just 0.2 innings. Josh Papelbon recorded the final out without incident. At the dish, the best night belonged to Jon Hee, who was 2 for 3 with a walk and Salem's only RBI. Chih-Hsien Chiang went 2 for 4 in the game, and Kris Negron went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.

Despite carrying a 12-4 lead into the eighth inning at home, Greenville pitching surrendered 3 runs in the eighth, 5 in the ninth, and 2 in the eleventh en route to a 14-12 loss to Lexington. Brock Huntzinger got the start and went the first 6.0 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Jason Blackey breezed through the seventh but ran into some misfortune in the eighth, allowing 3 unearned runs on 2 hits and a walk. He did strike out 4 in his 2.0 innings. Chad Povich entered the ninth with a 5-run lead but couldn't hold it, as he was charged with all 5 runs on 2 hits, 2 walks and a hit batsman without recording an out, leaving the game with a 3-run lead and the bases loaded. Felix Ventura allowed all 3 inherited runners to score to tie the game, then allowed the game-winning runs in the eleventh, going 3.0 innings in all allowing 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3 to take the loss (2-5). Five Drive hitters had multi-hit games, led by Mitch Dening's 4-for-7 effort, including 3 doubles, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored. Will Middlebrooks continued his hot hitting by going 3 for 5 with a double, an RBI, a walk and a run scored. Shannon Wilkerson and Ryan Dent each had 2 hits, a walk and 2 runs scored, both in 6 plate appearances, while Casey Kelly went 2 for 7 with an RBI. Pete Hissey and Oscar Tejeda each went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI as well.

Another great start by Kason Gabbard, another win for Lowell, this time of the 5-2 variety over Batavia. Gabbard went 6.0 scoreless innings to pick up his second win, allowing 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5. Cesar Cabral went the rest of the way, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on just 1 hit, a 2-run home run by Muck Dogs third baseman Niko Vasquez, while striking out 4. Ronald Bermudez was one of the offensive stars for the Spinners, going 2 for 4 with a home run, a steal, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Alex Hassan, who simply cannot do wrong at the plate these days, went 4 for 4 with an RBI to raise his average to .448. Wilfred Pichardo went 2 for 4 with a run scored.

The GCL Red Sox were not scheduled to play last night.

The DSL Red Sox allowed the DSL Astros to break a 1-1 tie with a run in the ninth and went on to lose by a 2-1 score, with both Astros runs ending up being unearned. Raynel Vellette started and lasted 5.0 innings, allowing just the 1 unearned run on 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 3. Luis Bastardo pitched 2.2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts to preserve the tie, but Wilfi Santana (3-5) allowed an unearned run in the ninth on 1 hit to take the loss. Pedro Chourio was the lone bright spot at the plate for the Red Sox, going 3 for 4.

Player of the Night: Mitch Dening, who went 4 for 7 with 3 doubles, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored in a losing effort.

Tazawa called up to Boston, Smoltz designated for assignment

After just 2 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket following his promotion from Double-A Portland, WEEI's Rob Bradford is reporting that 23-year-old Junichi Tazawa has been called up to Boston. To make room on the active roster for Tazawa, Boston.com is reporting that John Smoltz has been designated for assignment after putting up a 2-5 record and an 8.32 ERA in 8 starts for Boston. Tazawa, who was signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent following the 2008 season, had gone 0-2 with a 2.38 ERA in his 2 starts for Pawtucket, striking out 6 and walking only 1 in 11.1 innings while limiting opposing batters to a .184 average. In his 18 starts for Portland earlier this season, the Japanese righthander had gone 9-5 with a 2.57 ERA, racking up 88 strikeouts against only 26 walks in 98.0 Double-A innings to earn himself an Eastern League All-Star nod and selection to the Futures Game.

For John Smoltz, this marks an abrupt end to his Red Sox career. A veteran of 21 major league seasons, Smoltz now owns a career record of 212-152 with a 3.32 ERA in 3435.0 innings. He has also amassed 3044 strikeouts and 154 saves.

In other news, the Red Sox have signed and activated veteran infielder Chris Woodward after claiming him off waivers from Seattle. The 33-year-old Woodward, who has played every position except for pitcher and catcher in his career, was hitting .239/.288/.254 with no home runs and 5 RBI in 67 at-bats for the Mariners this year. In his ten-year major league career between Toronto, New York (Mets), Atlanta, and Seattle, Woodward has compiled a .243/.298/.371 line with 33 home runs and 191 RBI in 1665 at-bats. He will be taking the roster spot of Billy Traber, who has been designated for assignment after throwing 3.2 innings in last night's loss to New York.

Q&A with Chris Carter

Now in his second full season with the Red Sox, Chris Carter still finds himself in Triple-A, a level he first reached (and first hit well in) in 2006. The Sox acquired Carter late in the 2007 season in a three-way trade, giving up Wily Mo Peña, and have kept the left-handed hitter in Pawtucket as insurance for most of the time since. It has been no secret that the key for Carter to finally make the jump to the Majors is improving his defense, and Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com was recently able to catch up with Carter after one of his daily, pre-game defensive workouts at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket.

Chris Hatfield: At the beginning of this year, you got a chance to stay up with Boston for a little bit. You earned that spot out of Spring Training. (CC: Thank you.) What was it like to earn that spot, at least coming out of Spring Training?
Chris Carter: Absolutely incredible. It was one of those things where I had an outside chance, and I always believed but I wasn’t sure if I was going to make the team. Then when I made it, it was the greatest feeling – it was a huge feeling of accomplishment, like that’s what I always wanted. It felt good because it wasn’t just that I was trying to make that team for that year, I was trying to make that team for a long time, so it really felt amazing.

CH: While you were up there, you may not have gotten as much time as you might’ve hoped before you came back down. How has being up (in the Majors) changed your perspective on being back in Triple-A when it comes to what you need to work on, or knowing what it takes to get back?
CC: I think one thing was seeing these guys play every day – it gave me confidence. They’re not superhuman. They’re great, but they’re not superhuman. And there’s really not a huge difference from Triple-A to the Big Leagues. It’s a different game in that guys are just more well-rounded, I was really impressed with that. As for me, I’ve got to work on everything. There’s not one aspect that I feel like I can’t work on. But I do know it’s going to ultimately happen for me. It’s gonna happen – I have the ability, but that ability needs to meet opportunity, and that’s what I’m hoping for.

CH: We hear a lot about you coming in to do extra work on the defensive side of things. Can you talk a little bit about that? When you come in for that extra work, what’re you working on, both first base and the outfield? One more than the other?
CC: Well, today, it was just throwing. It’s tough – today I threw so much that, my arm isn’t sore, but my abs are sore from snapping down, using my whole body. Yesterday I was taking ground balls. Playing for the Red Sox, you’ve got to be great at everything, and that’s one thing I’m working on – not having a flaw, not being below-average at any spot.

CH: Do you have a preference between first and the outfield?
CC: I really like right field, I really like left field, but whatever gives me the opportunity to play the game, that’s fine with me, that’ll be my favorite spot.

CH: Now, you’ve been heating up in July, your batting average is currently up over .300. (Carter grins and nods) And you clearly know what I mean too. What’s clicking for you right now, have you made some adjustments?
CC: I’m getting pitched to a little different, in a lot of respects, and I’ve got to be on top of my game every time. I’ve got to be fine-tuned. I’m not going to get away with having a day when I’m a little off with my technique. I’ve got to be really precise. Just accepting that, accepting that maybe the best thing I can do here is get a base hit to left-center instead of trying to hit a home run every time, that’s really helped. Just staying through the ball, going to left field, brought up my average. (That approach) brought up my walks, helped me see more pitches, and it’s really helped me work the counts, where the month before, I had the mentality of being aggressive, of “get your ball and hit it out, hit it so far you’ll never see it again.” Like yesterday, I was in a fastball count, the guy had trouble throwing strikes, and I thought “for sure, he’s gonna throw a fastball.” Fastball count, and he’s just thrown seven balls in a row. He throws a changeup low and away. But you know what? It’s making me a better hitter. My technique right now is better than it was last year, even though my numbers aren’t as good. It’s going to pay off somehow, somewhere.

CH: You played in the Venezuelan Winter League a few years ago. What was that like as far as being different from playing here in the U.S., and how’d that even come about?
CC: I played with Enrique Gonzalez with the Diamondbacks, and he knew a guy, the GM from the Guaira Tiburones, and he told the GM, “Hey, you’ve got to look at this guy.” He scouted me and offered me a deal, and I said “Sure, I’ll go.” Then I found out I was going to the Arizona Fall League, and I called him up, and I said, “Hey you guys, I just got traded to the Red Sox and they want me to go to the Fall League. I’m sorry, I’m not going to be in Venezuela.” But they wouldn’t let me get out of my contract, they wanted me that bad. So I ended up going, but not too happy about it, because I wanted to be in the Fall League. But it ended up being a great thing for me. It’s very close to Big League baseball, and there’s such passion and intensity for the game, and I got good confidence from that. It was a great situation for me, and it worked out for the best.

CH: Now, you and Jed (Lowrie) are both Stanford guys. Obviously, that’s a great academic school. Which one of you guys is smarter out on the baseball field?
CC: You know what, I don’t know. I wouldn’t put it past Jed if he is. I’m always trying to be a student of the game. You know what, Jed’s amazing. He plays a difficult position, shortstop, and you’ve got to be not only a great talent out there with great ability, but you’ve got to be smart, and he is. I don’t know one way or the other, but I’d say Jed’s incredibly smart when it comes to baseball.

CH: Off the field, who’s smarter between you and Jed? Who’s more book-smart between the two of you?
CC: I don’t know. I know when it comes to cribbage, he’s got me. He’s beat me and taken some money off me. I don’t know if that really encompasses all the intellectual ability off the field, but he’s got me.

CH: There are a few other famous, if we’re going to call it that, Chris Carters. There’s another one in the minor leagues right now, you’ve got the former wideout for the Vikings, even the guy who created X-Files. (CC: Yeah, yeah!) I read an interview with Javier Lopez that he gets (baseball) cards to sign of the other Javy Lopez. Have you had anything like that happen?
CC: I’ve gotten some cards of the other Chris Carter … (CH: the Oakland guy?) The Oakland guy. Guys tell me I’m their favorite player, they’ve been following me my whole career, and then I open up the envelope and it’s a picture of Chris Carter, the 6’ 5” African-American, 20 years old.

CH: Do you sign them and send them back?
CC: No. No. Actually one of the players, Sean Danielson, wrote a letter back, and they said they made a mistake. (laughs)

BONUS QUESTION
(Chris H. had meant to ask this question during his interview, but somehow forgot. Luckily, friend of SoxProspects.com David Laurila was at that game and was planning to return the next day, so he picked up the slack. Thanks for the favor David!)

DL: You’ve recently started using Hulk Hogan’s old theme music, “Real American”, as your at-bat music. What’s the deal there?
CC: It makes me feel good. I loved the Hulk growing up, and I think it’s an amazing song. I mean, it’s not amazing as far as being up tempo or a feel-good song, but I thought it would be a great one to come up to the plate with. I hit a home run the first game I played with it, so I’m keeping it. It was the start of Carter-mania.

Mills pitches Portland past Altoona

Pawtucket took a 3-1 lead in to the seventh inning, but it was old friend David Pauley who got the last laugh as Norfolk came back to win, 5-3. Randor Bierd started for the Red Sox and left with the lead, going 5.0 innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits and 1 walk, striking out 4. TJ Large entered the game in the sixth and went 1.1 innings total, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 1 but taking the loss to fall to 2-1. Hunter Jones went the next 1.2 innings without yielding a run before Marcus McBeth allowed a run on 2 hits and walk in the ninth. Jeff Bailey went 3 for 4 with a double and a run, and Chris Carter continued his hot hitting by swatting home run number 14 on the season, a 2-run shot in the fifth and his only hit in 3 at-bats. Chris Duncan, serving as the Pawtucket DH, went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Portland too jumped out to an early lead, scoring 4 times in the second and riding a gem by Adam Mills to an 8-1 victory over Altoona. Mills went the first 8.0 innings allowing only 1 unearned run on 5 hits, walking nobody and striking out 8 to earn his tenth win of the season. Ryne Miller closed things out with a scoreless ninth, striking out 2. Ryan Kalish was one of many Sea Dogs to have a good night at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a home run, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Catcher Juan Apodaca continued his hot hitting as well, going 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI. Luis Exposito, who was the DH for Portland, also went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Ryan Khoury rounded out the multi-hit club, going 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored.

Salem also received a solid performance from its starter, but the offense could not back it up as the Red Sox lost to Kinston, 2-0. It was Kyle Weiland who turned in said performance, going 6.0 innings allowing just 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 5 but took the loss to fall to 3-9. Jason Rice pitched a scoreless seventh with 2 strikeouts before Robert Coello allowed a single run in the eighth on a home run by Adam Davis. Salem managed only 3 hits in the game, all singles, 1 each in 3 at-bats for Che-Hsuan Lin, David Mailman, and Kris Negron. Lin also walked and stole his twentieth base of the year.

It was a wild one in Greenville, but the Drive did not come out on top, losing to Lexington 10-5. Stolmy Pimentel got the starting nod and went 5.0 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, 2 of which were home runs, and a walk, striking out 4. Lance McClain (2-2) went the next 2.0 innings and also allowed 3 runs to take the loss. Leandro Marin allowed 4 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks without recording an out before Mitch Herold ended the madness with 2 scoreless innings to finish things. Kade Keowen was responsible for 2 of Greenville's 9 hits, going 2 for 4 with an RBI double, while Casey Kelly collected 2 of his own in 4 trips to the plate. Oscar Tejeda went 1 for 3 with a solo home run, his third of the year, and Zach Gentile went 1 for 3 as well with a walk and a run scored thrown in.

The game in Hudson Valley was a much calmer affair, and one in which Lowell prevailed, 2-1. Jose Alvarez (5-3) started for the Spinners and got the win, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings allowing only 4 hits and 1 walk, striking out 5. His ERA now stands at 1.74. Charle Rosario allowed the only Hudson Valley run, but did manage to hold the lead in his 2.0 innings. Dennis Neuman threw a hitless ninth with a strikeout to earn his fourth save. Ryan Westmoreland kept his hot bat going, gathering 2 hits and a walk in 4 plate appearances. Derrick Gibson also had 2 hits, going 2 for 4 with a run scored and his twentieth steal of 2009, while Drew Hedman drove in both Lowell runs with his double in the sixth.

The GCL Red Sox gave up a 1-run lead in the ninth and lost it in the eleventh, dropping a 4-3 decision to the GCL Orioles. Drake Britton led off the game with a scoreless inning, striking out the side but also allowing 2 hits and a walk. Manny Rivera went the next 4.0 innings and allowed only 1 earned run on 2 hits and 2 walks, striking out 4. Next up was Kyle Stroup, who also allowed 1 run in his 2.0 innings of work on 2 hits and a walk. He was followed by Justin Erasmus (1-2), who allowed both the game-tying and game-winning runs to take the loss. He went 3.1 innings in all, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. Dustin Mercandante got the final 2 outs. The Red Sox managed only 4 hits in the game, equaling their error total, with no hitter collecting more than 1.

A great start by Juan Rodriguez and excellent relief work from Luis Diaz were all the DSL Red Sox needed to down the DSL Cubs, 4-2. Rodriguez went the first 5.0 innings and allowed both Cubs runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 9. Diaz was even better, throwing 4.0 scoreless innings yielding only 1 hit, striking out 4. Javier Gutierrez led the way on offense, going 2 for 2 with a double, a home run, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Dreily Guerrero also had 2 hits, going 2 for 4 with an RBI and a steal. Heiker Menses drove in the final Red Sox run, going 1 for 2.

Player of the Night: Adam Mills, who allowed only 1 unearned run on 5 hits, walking nobody and striking out 8 in 8.0 innings to earn his tenth win of the season.

Reddick called up again as Baldelli hits DL

As it turns out, Josh Reddick's return to the minor leagues will be short lived. According to Tony Massarotti of Boston.com, Reddick is on his way to New York to join the Red Sox for tonight's game against the Yankees; he will be taking the roster spot of outfielder Rocco Baldelli, who will be placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a foot injury. Reddick, who was just reassigned to Triple-A Pawtucket yesterday when Billy Traber was called up, had hit .313/.353/.688 with 3 doubles and a home run in 16 at-bats for Boston. While a player must normally remain in the minor leagues for at least ten days after being sent down, an exception is made if that player is replacing an injured player at the same position. In the minor leagues this year for Double-A Portland, Reddick had been hitting .277/.352/.520 with 13 home runs in 256 at-bats at the time of his first call-up. He had yet to have an at-bat for Pawtucket.

Taveras carries perfect game into the fifth in losing effort

The Pawtucket offense finally made some noise, but it was not enough to overcome the rocky start of Michael Bowden as the Red Sox fell to Norfolk by a score of 8-7. The aforementioned Bowden lasted only 3.0 innings, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, although he did strike out 4. Jose Vaquedano, though, was on the mound when 2 of the runs charged to Bowden were scored, as he went just 0.1 innings allowing a hit and 2 walks and throwing a wild pitch to boot. Rocky Cherry (3-1) bailed him out of the fourth, but could not bail himself out in the fifth or sixth as he allowed a run in each inning, only 1 of which was earned, on 4 hits and 2 walks in 3.2 innings total to take the loss. Javier Lopez and Fernando Cabrera each tossed scoreless innings to finish the game. Chris Carter went 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 RBI, a walk and a run scored, while Brian Anderson went 2 for 5 with a home run, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Mark Wagner also had 2 hits, including a double, in 5 at-bats.

Brilliant pitching and a balanced attack led the Sea Dogs to a 9-0 shutout of Altoona. Ryne Lawson scattered 5 hits and 2 walks over his 6.0 innings, striking out 4 to improve to 3-9 on the year. Dustin Richardson had some control issues in his 2.0 innings, walking 3, but emerged unscathed. Chris Province breezed through a perfect ninth, striking out 1 to close things out. It was the three, four, and five hitters in the Portland batting order that did most of the damage offensively, as Jorge Jimenez, Jon Still, and Juan Apodaca each went 2 for 5. Jimenez drove in 2 with a triple in the eighth, and Still drove him in with a single immediately thereafter. Ryan Khoury also had a nice night, going 1 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

Salem's game against Myrtle Beach was postponed due to rain.

Fabian Williamson allowed a run in the first, but that was all the scoring Lexington would do as Greenville coasted to a 3-1 victory. Williamson improved to 8-3 for the Drive by pitching 5.0 innings allowing just the 1 run on 4 hits and 3 walks. Jeremy Kehrt went the rest of the way, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk. Despite the stellar mound work, though, Greenville pitchers did not record a strikeout in the game. The offensive leader for the Drive was Ryan Dent, who went 2 for 3 with a double and 2 RBI. Shannon Wilkerson went 1 for 3 with a double and 2 runs scored, raising his South Atlantic League average to .455 in the process, and Casey Kelly and Oscar Tejeda each went 1 for 3 as well. Ty Weeden, hitting cleanup and playing first base, went 2 for 4.

With the score tied 3-3 going into the top of the ninth, Lowell scored 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks to take down Hudson Valley 6-3. One of those RBI singles belonged to Ryan Westmoreland, who went 3 for 4 with a walk in the game. Alex Hassan also went 3 for 4 with a walk, and Wilfred Pichardo went 2 for 5 out of the leadoff spot. Chris McGuiness went 1 for 5, but that hit was a double that produced the first 2 Spinners runs in the third. Yeiper Castillo pitched well out of the gate for Lowell, allowing only 2 runs on 3 hits through 6.0 innings, striking out 7 without walking a batter. Michael Bugary (1-0) did not allow a hit in his 2.0 innings of work to earn the win, although he was charged with an unearned run. He walked 2 and struck out 1. Wang-Yi Lin pitched a perfect ninth with a strikeout to earn his first save.

Things didn't go so well for the GCL Red Sox, as they dropped a 9-4 decision to the GCL Twins. Tyler Wilson did not give up a run in his 2.0 inning start, but Richie Wasielewski (0-2) got touched for 4 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks while recording just 2 outs in the third to take the loss. Cesare Angeloni allowed 2 runs of his own on 3 hits and 2 walks in 2.1 innings, striking out 2, while Sven Huijer allowed 3 unearned runs on 4 hits in his 3.0 innings of work. He struck out 1 and did not walk a batter, keeping his walk-less innings streak alive. Reymond Fuentes had a nice night out of the leadoff spot, going 2 for 4 with an RBI, a run scored, and 2 steals, giving him 8 total now on the season. Boss Moanaroa also went 2 for 4 in the game.

The DSL Red Sox tripled their hit total from Tuesday night, but this time came away empty-handed in a 6-1 loss to the DSL Giants, wasting a brilliant start by Francisco Taveras. Taveras threw 5.0 scoreless innings to start the game, allowing only 1 hit while striking out 6, having his perfect game broken up with 2 outs in the fifth. Danny Dilon (2-2) entered the game in the sixth and gave up 3 runs, only 2 of them earned, on 3 hits and a walk in 2.0 innings total to take the loss. Ernesto Reyes pitched a scoreless eighth but gave up 3 earned runs in the ninth, going 2.0 innings total allowing 2 hits and 4 walks. He struck out 2. Curtney Doran had the best offensive showing for the Red Sox on the night, going 2 for 3 with a double and a triple and scoring the team's only run. Lewis Urena, who went 1 for 4, was the one to knock him in.

Player of the Night: Francisco Taveras, who carried a perfect game into the fifth and ended up going 5.0 innings, allowing just 1 hit while striking out 6 in a losing effort.

Sox sign Paul Byrd to minor league deal

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports is reporting that the Red Sox have signed starter Paul Byrd to a minor league contract. Byrd, who has not yet thrown a pitch this year, is expected to be ready to pitch in the majors around September 1. The Red Sox originally acquired the 38-year-old righthander for Mickey Hall in August, 2008. Byrd made 8 starts for Boston down the stretch, going 4-2 with a 4.78 ERA. He then retired following the conclusion of the 2008 playoffs, but has reportedly been staying in shape. A veteran of thirteen major league seasons playing for seven different franchises, Byrd owns a career record of 108-93 with a 4.38 ERA.

Sox agree to terms with eleventh-round pick Thompson

According to Jim Callis of Baseball America, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with eleventh-round choice Jason Thompson on a signing bonus worth $300,000. Thompson, a shortstop out of Germantown High School in Tennessee, had committed to Louisville. During his senior season, the switch-hitting Thompson hit .414 with 5 home runs and 26 RBI. He was Baseball America's top-rated high school position player in the state of Tennessee and was also selected to participate in the Aflac All-American Classic. An athletic infielder with above-average speed, a reliable glove, and excellent arm strength, Thompson hits to all fields with gap power and could develop more power down the line.

Traber to Boston to help beleaguered bullpen

After last night's thirteen-inning affair against Tampa Bay, the Red Sox have recalled lefthander Billy Traber from Triple-A. This will be the first major league stint for the 29-year-old Traber this season but the fifth of his career, as he had previously pitched for the Indians, Nationals, and Yankees. In 32 appearances this season for Pawtucket, including 4 starts, Traber has gone 7-5 with a 3.32 ERA, striking out 22 in 59.2 innings. Primarily a ground-ball pitcher, Traber owns a 1.35 ground-out-to-air-out ratio this season. In parts of seven minor league seasons, Traber has gone 53-41 with a 3.57 ERA, striking out 528 in 718.0 innings. He owns a 12-14 record with a 5.54 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 211.1 major league innings.

To make room for Traber in Boston, Josh Reddick has been optioned to Pawtucket. Reddick had been summoned from Portland on July 31 to fill the void left by the departed Justin Masterson and hit .313/.353/.688 with 3 doubles and a home run in 16 at-bats for Boston. Currently the second-ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com, Reddick had been hitting .277/.352/.520 with 13 home runs in 256 at-bats for Portland at the time of his call-up.

SoxProspects.com Podcast - August 5, 2009

In the latest SoxProspects.com Podcast, the panel discusses Futures at Fenway and takes an in-depth look up and down the Sox system. Hope you enjoy!

The Links

Full Link

iTunes Link

The Ladder- 8.5.09

Will Middlebrooks

The Line: Covering the month of July, Middlebrooks posted a line of .337/.391/.558, good for an OPS of .949 in the month. He cracked 13 extra-base hits during the stretch, including 5 home runs, while driving in an impressive 26 runs in 27 games played. Over the last 10 games, Middlebrooks has been white hot, hitting .459 with 3 home runs, 10 runs batted in, and 9 runs scored. On July 28 against Lakewood, he clubbed 2 home runs and drove in 4 runs in a 2-for-4 performance. Middlebrooks followed that up with back-to-back 3-hit games against Augusta on July 30-31 to close out the month on a strong note. Since June, he’s seen his OPS steadily climb to.768 after a tough 16-for-90 start to the 2009 season. Middlebrooks has currently hit in 15 of his last 16 games heading into action on August 5.

The View: Middlebrooks got off to an extremely tough start after coming back late in April from a torn hamstring injury suffered early in Spring Training. During the rocky start, he failed to make much contact at all and piled up a lot of strikeouts in the process. Since June, Middlebrooks has been a different hitter at the plate and has been ramping back into the late-season form he flashed at Lowell in 2008. With quick wrists and strong hands, he generates plus bat speed, and the ball jumps off his bat with the classic crack when he squares it up. Struggling as an extreme pull hitter to start his career, Middlebrooks started going to the right side of the field with greater frequency, and that is when things turned for him in 2008. After showing sporadic power last season, Middlebrooks has begun to flash his power potential in 2009, and the extra-base hits have begun to pile up for him; he’s even been driving the ball out of the ballpark on occasion. Possessing a compact and fluid stroke at the plate, the root cause of his struggles stems from his below-average pitch recognition and struggles with off-speed pitches. Once locked in at the plate, Middlebrooks can turn around just about anyone’s fastball, but has a difficult time with off-speed pitches, especially ones that sweep across the strike zone. Still striking out at a frequent clip, the next step in his development is to cut down on the strikeouts, and his success at upper levels in the Red Sox system will be tied into how well he can improve on this need in his game. A hard worker and dedicated player, Middlebrooks has made strides during his early career within the organization and the results have been showing since June. While he still has a lot of work to do with his strike-zone judgment and count management, his patience at the plate has been much improved thus far in 2009, and we’ve seen the type of hitter he can become on a more consistent basis this season.

Seth Garrison

The Line: Over his last 57 2/3 innings of work, Garrison has been shutting down the opposition and turned his season around in the process. He’s given up 8 earned runs during the stretch while limiting batters to 41 hits with 38 strikeouts and only 8 walks. Going deep into games, Garrison has gone 6 innings or more in 7 of his last 10 appearances and has only given up more than 1 earned one in 1 of those appearances. On July 24 against Potomac, he fired 6 innings while giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits to pick up the win. Garrison struck out 6 batters and only issued 1 free pass on the night. He followed that up on July 31 with his finest outing of the season, going 7 innings without allowing an earned run while striking out 7 hitters and allowing only 2 hits. Garrison was named SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month for July after going 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA with 30 strikeouts, 5 walks, and an opponents’ batting average against of .218.

The View: The big right-handed pitcher served as Lowell’s closer in 2008 after signing with the organization and reporting to short-season baseball. Coming off of Tommy John surgery in 2007, Garrison was held to 1-2 inning outings in his initial transition to professional baseball. After being assigned to High-A Salem following Spring Training this year, Garrison found himself in the starting rotation, and the initial results were not all that great. Since settling in, however, Garrison has found his groove on the mound and has been using his 88-91 MPH fastball to his advantage. Standing 6’5’’ tall, he creates a lot of downward motion on the ball through the leverage he creates with his frame. His fastball can be very heavy, cutting down through the zone, and can top out around 93 MPH when he reaches back for some extra zip. Garrison also features close to a 12/6 curveball that he has been steadily featuring more and more as he gets further removed from his surgery. The pitch can flash some hard break and straighten up hitters when he gets on top it. His curveball is about an average offering right now, but with continued sharpening can be a consistent out-pitch for him. In his role as a starter, the development of his third pitch, a change-up, is crucial to keeping hitters off-balance and allows him to show another look to hitters, since he isn’t going to constantly throw his fastball by them. The development of his change-up will determine whether he stays in the rotation down the line or if he will ultimately move into a bullpen role. Right now, Garrison’s most likely path projects as a reliever when he reaches higher levels of the Red Sox system, but he’ll continue on the starter’s path for now, and the results since June have shown the progress his repertoire has been making in that role. A bit of a surprise addition to the ranks of the starting pitchers the Red Sox organization, Garrison has been showing that he can handle the assignment and is another entry on the list of depth at the pitching position in the system.

Trending Up

Right-handed pitcher Stephen Fife has gotten off to a strong start after his promotion to High-A Salem and has handled the transition well. In his first 22 2/3 innings, Fife has given up 21 hits while striking out 21 batters and only issuing 2 free passes in the stretch. With four pitches in his arsenal, which already includes a plus curveball, Fife has been focusing on sharpening his change-up and developing the offering into another strikeout pitch for him. When Fife is on, he gets ahead of hitters with his 88-91 MPH sinking fastball and turns to his secondary offerings to finish them off when they are down in the count. Given the movement on his fastball, batters routinely pound the pitch into the dirt, as Fife excels at keeping the ball out of the middle of the plate to limit the hard contact against him…Portland outfielder Ryan Kalish struggled with his initial transition to Double-A, but has recently been back on the ball and keeping himself more controlled at the plate. Kalish is 15 for his last 40 and has struck out only 6 times in that stretch while walking 5 times. His excellent control of the strike zone allows him to keep his weight back and unleash his quick swing when he gets his pitch. Kalish finished off July hitting .304 with an OPS of .863 and hit 4 home runs while driving in 19 runs for the Sea Dogs in the month…When the dust settled from this year’s trade deadline, Portland’s Josh Reddick found himself promoted to Boston to fill in because of injury and had an excellent weekend in his first taste of big league baseball. Reddick belted 2 doubles in his first career start August 1 and followed that up with his first career home run on August 2, adding a run scoring single as well.

Trending Down

Portland first baseman Lars Anderson’s struggles at the plate continue. Anderson is currently 5 for 41 and hasn’t homered in his last 27 games. For much of the year, he’s looked over-matched and generally out of whack with his timing at the plate. After making a splash in his initial appearance in Double-A towards the end of the 2008 season, Anderson has had a much tougher time in 2009 and has some adjustments to make in his offensive game. Still only 21 years of age and possessing excellent skills at the plate, Anderson continues to be a bright fixture in the organization’s future, but has been learning how to deal with adversity for the first time in his professional career…Salem outfielder David Mailman has hit a bit of a roadblock since his promotion to High-A after the all-star break. After posting an OPS of .824 for Greenville, Mailman has gotten off to a 19-for-115 start and has only 4 extra-base hits. He’s been striking out at a greater frequency and has been having a tough time squaring balls up in his initial exposure to a more advanced level…Salem catcher Tim Federowicz is 2 for his last 26 and has had a rough go of things in High-A after putting up a strong performance in the first half of the season for Greenville. Now being challenged more consistently, Federowicz hasn’t been able to square a lot of balls up and create the hard contact he was producing earlier in the year. Although he has only struck out 3 times during the stretch, he has only walked 3 times as well in 82 at-bats since his promotion.

Kelly and Greenville walk off with a win

After four consecutive defeats to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pawtucket scored 2 runs in the bottom of the eighth on RBI singles by Angel Chavez and Mark Wagner to earn a 6-4 victory. Chavez ended up going 3 for 4 in the game with 2 runs scored, while Wagner, who pinch hit for the rehabbing Jeff Bailey in the seventh, was 1 for 1 with a walk. Bubba Bell, who scored the eventual winning run, went 2 for 3, and Chris Carter went 1 for 3 with a 2-run home run. Charlie Zink, in his first start since July 26, went the first 5.2 innings giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 4 walks, striking out 4. Hunter Jones went the next 2.0 innings allowing 1 unearned run on a hit and a walk. TJ Large relieved Jones with 2 outs in the top of the eighth and recorded the final out, but not before he allowed an inherited runner to score to tie the game. He allowed 1 hit and relinquished 1 walk, but earned the win to improve to 2-0. Fernando Cabrera slammed the door with a perfect ninth, striking out 2 to earn save number 19 on the season.

In a game that saw 18 runs scored on 23 hits combined, Portland dropped a 12-6 decision to Altoona. Jared Plummer was charged with most of the damage for the Sea Dogs, going just 3.1 innings and allowing 8 runs on 10 hits and a walk, striking out 2. Chad Rhoades pitched 1.2 scoreless innings after him, allowing a hit and 2 walks and striking out 3, but the scoring started again against Richie Lentz, who was charged with 3 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in 0.2 innings. Andrew Dobies fired 2.1 scoreless frames to give Portland a chance, but Brian Cox gave up a solo home run in his inning of work to put the game out of reach. Jorge Jimenez and Juan Apodaca each went 3 for 4, including a solo home run for Jimenez in the seventh, his twelfth of the year. And although Ryan Kalish and Iggy Suarez only went 1 for 4 in the game, each man's only hit was a home run: a solo shot for Kalish, and a 3-run bomb for Suarez.

Despite jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a Mike Jones RBI single in the first inning, Salem could muster little else offensively and dropped a 4-1 decision to Myrtle Beach. Seth Garrison (7-9) got the starting nod but took the loss, going 5.2 innings giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits. He struck out 3 and did not walk a batter. Kyle Fernandes went the next 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 3. Jason Rice finished things out with a scoreless inning of his own, including a strikeout. David Mailman and Tim Federowicz both had multiple-hit games for the Red Sox, going 3 for 4 and 2 for 4 respectively.

Single Lexington runs in the eighth and ninth innings turned a 1-run Greenville lead into a 1-run deficit, but the Drive tied things in the bottom of the ninth and scored again in the bottom of the tenth to take a 4-3 win. Ryan Lavarnway went 1 for 3 with a walk in the game, but that hit was his fifteenth home run of the season and tied the game in the ninth. Casey Kelly's third double of the game was of the walk-off variety, scoring Pete Hissey (1 for 4) from second. The Greenville shortstop went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and a run scored. Mike Lee started this one and tossed 6.0 frames giving up only 1 run on 5 hits, walking no one and striking out 4. Up next was Felix Ventura, who was charged with a blown save after giving up a run on 2 hits and a walk in his 1.2 innings. Chad Povich (2-0), who would have been on the hook for the loss were it not for the Drive comeback, got the win instead after going the final 2.1 innings giving up just the 1 unearned run on a hit and a walk, striking out 3.

Lowell busted out the bats in Hudson Valley to the tune of 15 hits, obliterating the Renegades 10-1. Wilfred Pichardo went 3 for 5 with a walk, an RBI, 2 steals and 2 runs scored, and Derrick Gibson also had a 3-hit night, going 3 for 6 with a steal and a run scored of his own. Alex Hassan continued his hot hitting by going 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored, while Daniel Butler went 2 for 4. Chris McGuiness and Joantoni Garcia each went 1 for 5 with a 3-run home run in the game. On the mound, Alex Wilson was once again unhittable, allowing only 1 walk in 3 otherwise perfect innings with 1 strikeout. His ERA now sits at 0.43 on the season. Tom Ebert (2-0) earned the win by pitching the next 2.0 innings scoreless, striking out 4 while giving up only 1 hit and 1 walk. Anatanaer Batista did allow a run in his 3.0 innings of work, but gave up only 2 hits while striking out 3. Dennis Neuman finished things up with a scoreless inning of work.

As their parent clubs duked it out less than 100 miles away, the cellar-dwelling GCL Rays upended the GCL Red Sox, 5-3. Pete Ruiz started and took the loss, giving up 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk in 5.0 innings. Hunter Cervenka allowed a run on 2 hits and 2 walks in his 2 innings of work, striking out 2 as well, and Jordan Flasher got the final 3 outs in scoreless fashion. Ken Roque went 2 for 3 with a stolen base, a double and a home run, while Bryan Peterson went 1 for 3 with a walk and a triple.

In an eerily coincidental third meeting between the Red Sox and Rays organizations on Tuesday, the DSL Red Sox took down the DSL Rays 6-5 despite only registering 2 hits in the game. One of those hits was a bases-clearing triple in the fifth off the bat of Heiker Menses in an inning in which the first four Red Sox hitters reached base via a walk or hit by pitch. Menses then scored on a wild pitch, and would later score the game-winning run in the seventh on a wild pitch as well after walking, advancing to second on a walk by Lewis Urena, and stealing third base, giving him 21 steals on the season. The other Red Sox hit belonged to Javier Gutierrez, who singled in the sixth. Yunior Ortega went the first 4.0 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5. William Cuevas went the next 4.1 allowing 3 runs on 8 hits, earning the win in the process to improve to 3-1 on the year. Wilfi Santana got the final 2 outs to record his third save.

Player of the Night: Casey Kelly, who went 3 for 5 with 3 doubles, including a walk-off hit to propel Greenville to victory.

Player of the Week, July 28-August 2: Will Middlebrooks

In 7 games last week, Greenville's Will Middlebrooks batted .429/.448/.750 with 2 home runs and 3 doubles, scoring 5 runs while batting in 6, for which he was recognized by the voters as SoxProspects.com Player of the Week of July 28-August 2. He did the majority of his damage over a four day period, going 2/4 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI against Lakewood (Phillies) and 6/9 with a double and 3 runs scored to open the series at Augusta (Giants) July 30-31. On the season, Middlebrooks his hitting .261/.339/.418 with 7 home runs, 19 doubles, 1 triple and 44 RBI in 268 at-bats over 75 games with The Drive in 2009. He is currently the twenty-fifth ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Pitcher of the Week, July 28-August 2: Brock Huntzinger

Greenville's Brock Huntzinger worked 10 innings pitched last week, allowing a single unearned run on 6 hits while striking out 14 and walking none en route to a 2-0 record in two starts and SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week for July 27-August 2. Huntzinger worked 5 innings each July 28 against Lakewood (Phillies) allowing 4 hits while striking out 8 and August 2 at Augusta (Giants) allowing 2 hits and striking out 6. He was also named South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week for the same period. In 19 starts with The Drive in 2009, Huntzinger owns a 7-8 record with a 4.17 ERA, allowing 44 earned runs on 96 hits over 95 innings pitched, holding opposing batters to a .257 average and striking out 79 and walking 24. He is currently the twenty-ninth ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Strong start by Fife leads to Salem win

It was a light night for Sox affiliates, as Portland and Greenville were not scheduled to play. At McCoy Stadium, all the action came in the third inning, but Pawtucket once again found itself on the wrong end of a close game, falling 2-1 to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Brian Anderson accounted for the Red Sox lone run with a solo home run, going 1 for 4, and Aaron Bates did continue his hot streak by going 2 for 3 with a walk, raising his Triple-A batting average to .218 in the process. The start and the loss went to Enrique Gonzalez (7-10), who allowed both Yankees runs on 4 hits and 5 walks in 6.1 innings, striking out 3. Javier Lopez and Marcus McBeth combined to hold Scranton scoreless the rest of the way, but the Pawtucket offense was once again unable to crack the armor of Yankees relievers Edwar Ramirez and Johnathan Albaladejo as the duo produced 2.2 hitless innings to finish up the game.

Salem scored early and often and easily took down Myrtle Beach by an 8-4 score, taking advantage of a solid start by Stephen Fife (2-0), who went the first 5.0 innings giving up only 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks. He struck out 4, and his ERA now sits at 1.99. Armando Zerpa and Derrick Loop each went 2.0 innings to finish things up, with Zerpa giving up 2 runs (1 earned) and Loop giving up just an unearned run. Both men allowed 4 hits and struck out 2 in their outings. Jon Hee, starting at third base for Salem and batting second, went 2 for 3 with a home run, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored to pace the Salem attack. Mike Jones went 1 for 4 with a 2-run double, while Chih-Hsien Chiang went 2 for 4 with an RBI triple. Kris Negron also had a nice night, going 1 for 2 with an RBI, 2 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases, giving him 21 total on the year.

The GCL Red Sox had their game against the GCL Reds suspended due to rain with the Red Sox leading 1-0 in the second inning. The game will be completed on Saturday, August 8.

Turning finally to the Dominican Summer League, a great outing by Nestor Lestreto and a balanced offensive attack led the DSL Red Sox to victory over the DSL Dodgers, 7-1. Lestreto (6-1) went the first 5.0 innings giving up just 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 2 to earn the win. Luis Bastardo finished off the game with 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk and striking out 1. Pedro Chourio went 2 for 5 with a home run, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored, while Alfredo Soto went 1 for 3 with a bomb of his own and 3 RBI. Juan Ugas doubled twice in 5 trips to the plate, and Keury De La Cruz also went 2 for 5.

Player of the Night: Stephen Fife, who went 5.0 innings giving up only 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks, striking out 4 to lower his ERA to 1.99.

Player of the Month, July: Ryan Westmoreland

In a month that saw his name increasingly crop up in trade rumors for the biggest names on the market as the deadline approached, Lowell's Ryan Westmoreland demonstrated why he was worthy of all the attention by posting a .303/.395/.571 line with 6 home runs, 6 doubles and one triple in his first full month of pro ball, and earned SoxProspects.com Player of the Month honors for July. He also scored 22 runs while batting in 18 and stole 8 bases. On the season Westmoreland is batting .288/.391/.486 with 6 home runs, 7 doubles, 2 triples and 25 RBI. He has also stolen 13 bases without once being caught. Westmoreland was also voted as SoxProspects.com Player of the Week for July 20-26. A fifth round pick in 2008, he is currently the sixth ranked prospect in the organization by SoxProspects.com.

Pitcher of the Month, July: Seth Garrison

Salem's Seth Garrison's month got off to a bit of a bumpy start, allowing 4 earned runs on 9 hits over 7 innings at Lynchburg (Pirates) July 1 but salvaged a win and rebounded to allow only 2 more runs over the remaining 31 innings he pitched the rest of the way to finish the month with a 4-1 record, a 1.42 ERA and SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month honors for July. In 6 starts Garrison allowed 6 earned runs on 29 hits over 38 innings pitched, striking out 30 while walking only 5 and held opposing batters to a .218 average. He was also named SoxProspects.com and Carolina League Pitcher of the Week of July 6-12, in which he did not allow an earned run in two starts over 12 innings pitched, allowing 8 hits, striking out 12 and walking none. For the season Garrison owns a 7-8 record in 20 games (19 starts) with a 3.51 ERA over 105 innings pitched, allowing 41 earned runs on 101 hits for a .254 average, striking out 71 and walking 31. He was a twenty-third round pick in 2008 and spent last season with short season class-A Lowell.

Huntzinger drives Greenville to victory

In an improvement over Saturday's results, Sox affiliates earned a split of the four games that were played. Starting with International League action, Junichi Tazawa (0-2) was almost as good in his second Triple-A start as he was in his first, but the Pawtucket offense was once again dormant en route to a 3-0 loss to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, completing the series sweep for the Yankees. Tazawa tossed 90 pitches through 5.1 and gave up 4 hits and a walk, striking out 3, leaving the game having not yet allowed a run but with 2 runners in scoring position. Rocky Cherry replaced him and closed out the sixth, but not before allowing both inherited runners to score on a 2-run single up the middle by top Yankees prospect Austin Jackson. Cherry ended up going 1.1 innings giving up 2 hits and a walk in all, allowing a run of his own in the seventh before being replaced by Fernando Cabrera. Cabrera went the final 1.1 innings scoreless, allowing 2 hits and a walk while striking out 1. Aaron Bates and Dusty Brown each went 2 for 4 for the PawSox to pace the offense, which mustered only 6 singles in the game against Yankees starter Josh Towers and relievers Damaso Marte and Jonathan Albaladejo.

Despite out-hitting Harrisburg 8-7, Portland scored only 2 unearned runs and lost by a score of 6-2. Blake Maxwell got the start and lasted 5.0 innings, giving up 3 runs (only 1 earned) on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 3 but taking the loss to fall to 3-7 on the year. Ryne Miller got battered a bit in his 2.1 innings, giving up 2 runs on a walk and 2 hits, including a 2-run home run by Harrisburg DH Marvin Lowrance. Tommy Hottovy closed out the game, pitching the final 0.2 innings but also allowing a run on 2 hits and a walk. Ryan Kalish and John Otness each had a single and a double in the losing effort.

The series finale between Salem former Red Sox affiliate Wilmington was postponed due to rain. No make-up date has been announced.

Greenville scored 4 runs in the fifth and hung on for the win behind the stellar pitching of Brock Huntzinger, defeating Augusta 4-2. Five Drive hitters had multiple-hit games, led by Ryan Lavarnway, who went 2 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI. Ryan Dent also had an impressive game, going 2 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored, while Shannon Wilkerson once again went 2 for 4 with a run scored in his second game for Greenville since his call-up from Lowell. Pete Hissey also went 2 for 4, and Mitch Dening went 2 for 5 with an RBI. On the bump, Huntzinger (7-8) was nearly flawless in 5.0 shutout innings, allowing only 2 hits while striking out 6 to earn the win. Mitch Herold was a bit less effective, going the next 2.0 allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, although he did strike out 3. Jason Blackey tossed the final 2.0 innings without giving up a run, striking out 3 of his own to earn the save.

The Spinners enjoyed stellar pitching performances from the rehabbing Kason Gabbard and reliever Cesar Cabral and scored 2 runs in each of the first 3 innings to down Vermont 6-1. Gabbard went the first 5.0 scoreless innings yielding 4 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5 to earn the win and even his record at 1-1. Cabral allowed just 1 unearned run in his 4.0 innings of work, allowing 4 hits and walking no one while striking out 3. Derrick Gibson was the hitting star for Lowell, going 4 for 5 with a double and 2 RBI, while the newly-signed Alex Hassan went 2 for 4 in his second professional contest. Chris McGuiness managed only 1 hit in 5 at-bats, but that hit was a 2-run single in the second, and he also chipped in an RBI ground out in the first.

Neither the GCL Red Sox nor the DSL Red Sox were scheduled to play on Sunday.

Player of the Night: Brock Huntzinger, who tossed 5.0 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits while striking out 6 to earn a win for Greenville.

Exposito promoted to Portland

Salem catcher Luis Exposito is on his way to Double-A after being promoted to Portland this afternoon. Exposito, 22, was hitting .274/.332/.427 for the High-A Salem Red Sox before receiving word of the promotion. A solid defender behind the plate, he's considered to be the top catching prospect in the system (ranked at #15 overall), right alongside Boston's other highly-regarded backstops, Tim Federowicz (#18), Mark Wagner (#19), and Ryan Lavarnway (#21). The promotion will clear room for Exposito and Federowicz to see more playing time, as they were previously platooning in Salem.

Sox affiliates go winless to start August

Despite having eight chances to pick up a win, the Red Sox minor league affiliates went winless on Saturday as the calendar flipped to August. Pawtucket took a pair of losses, dropping both ends of a doubleheader to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 8-2 and 4-0. Chris Carter reached three times in the opener, going 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Brian Anderson went 1-for-4 with his first home run as a PawSox. Kris Johnson (3-12) lasted just 2.2 innings, giving up 6 runs on 8 hits and 1 walk, striking out 2. Jose Vaquedano allowed 2 more runs in 2.1 innings of relief, before Javier Lopez closed things out with a scoreless inning.

In the back end of the double-dip, Aaron Bates went 2-for-3 to bring his average up to .200, but the PawSox were held scoreless by recent Yankee acquisition Jason Hirsh, who allowed just 5 hits in 5.0 innings and struck out 7 before giving way to Edwar Ramirez for the final 2.0 innings. The bullpen handled pitching duties, despite the expected activation of Charlie Zink for the start. Randor Bierd (1-1) started and took the loss, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and two walks, striking out 4. T.J. Large followed with 2.1 innings, giving up 4 hits and a walk en route to allowing a run, while striking out one. Hunter Jones threw a hitless, scoreless inning to close, allowing a walk and recording 1 strikeout.

The Sea Dogs dropped a close 4-2 contest in Harrisburg. Juan Apodaca continued his recent hot streak, hitting a solo shot for his third home run of the year on a 1-for-4 night. Jorge Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a double. Felix Doubront went 4.0 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while whiffing 5. Chad Rhoades followed with a scoreless inning in which he allowed two hits and recorded all three outs by way of the K, while Dustin Richardson made use of his defense for all six outs in his 2.0 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit. Andrew Dobies ended things by allowing a run on a double, wild pitch, and a sac fly in his lone inning of work.

In Wilmington, the Salem Sox fell 8-3. After a pretty strong first four innings, Eammon Portice (6-5) got hit hard in the fifth, giving up 5 hits and getting charged with 5 runs in recording just one out. For his outing, he went 4.1 innings, giving up 6 runs on 8 hits, although he had no walks and struck out 6. Jose Capellan and Josh Papelbon followed out of the bullpen, each giving up 1 run. At the plate, Zach Borowiak led the way for Salem by going 1-for-2 with 2 walks, scoring once. Kris Negron went 1-for-4 with a triple, scoring twice. Che-Hsuan Lin, back in center field for the first time since Tuesday, went 1-for-5 with a double.

Greenville faced a similar fate in Augusta, losing 7-3. In his Greenville debut, former Augusta State star Shannon Wilkerson went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in familiar surroundings. Kade Keowen also was 2-for-4 with a run, while Jeremy Hazelbaker and Casey Kelly both went 0-for-3 with a pair of walks each. Stolmy Pimentel (9-6) was one of two Sox pitchers to go 5.0 innings on the night, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and a walk, notching 3 K’s. Lance McClain was the victim of poor defense, as he allowed just 1 earned run and 4 unearned runs thanks to a passed ball and two errors in his 1.1 innings of work. Leandro Marin pitched the final 1.2, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 2.

Up north in Vermont, the Spinners dropped their game, 8-3. Derrick Gibson and Michael Almanzar each had a pair of hits, the former tallying a double. Chris McGuinness hit his fourth home run of the year, driving in a pair of runs and scoring twice in a 1-for-4 night. Alex Hassan made his professional debut in right field, going 1-for-4 with an RBI. Jose Alvarez (4-3) joined Pimentel in going 5.0 innings, but gave up 4 runs on 8 hits and a walk to take the loss. Richie Lentz, who had been cruising recently as his rehab nears its end, hit a bit of a speed bump. After striking out two hitters, he allowed a walk, a double, and induced a groundout to finish his first inning, then allowed a triple, single and hit-by-pitch before leaving the game. He was eventually charged with 3 runs. Michael Bugary gave up a run of his own in his one inning in relief, then Charlie Rosario pitched a 1-2-3 eighth to finish.

In the Gulf Coast League, the Red Sox took the closest loss of the night for the affiliates, losing to the Orioles, 4-3. Tyler Yockey broke out of an 0-for-14 slump by going 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. Playing third base for the second day in a row, Carson Blair went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Aaron Reza continued his rehab from a broken wrist, going 1-for-3 with a triple but making an error at short. Randy Consuegra (3-3) had his second short outing in three starts, lasting just an inning. He gave up three unearned runs, but did allow 3 hits and 3 walks and let loose a wild pitch in his lone frame. Chaz Angeloni gave up an unearned run in his 3.0 innings of relief, allowing just 3 hits and striking out 1. Swen Huijer and Justin Erasmus each threw 2.0 scoreless frames. Huijer was perfect, striking out 3, while Erasmus also faced the minimum, allowing a walk but inducing a double play.

The DSL Red Sox were the only affiliate to play at home on Saturday, but dropped a 10-4 contest to the Braves. Lewis Urena went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple, scoring a run. Keury De La Cruz drove in a pair of runs on his third home run of the year. Starter Raynel Vellette allowed just an unearned run on 3 hits in 4.0 innings, striking out 1. Ronaldo Juan (4-2) took the loss, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks in his lone inning of work, and was followed by Ernesto Reyes and Samuel Garcia, who each gave up 3 runs on 6 hits in 2.0 innings of work and striking out 1. Reyes also allowed a pair of walks, while Garcia allowed one.

Player of the Night: Swen Huijer, who threw 2.0 perfect innings, striking out 3. He has not allowed a walk in his 29.0 professional innings, dating back to last year.

McBeth optioned, Kottaras to DL to make room for trade additions

With the addition of Victor Martinez and Casey Kotchman to the active roster today, the Red Sox have returned Marcus McBeth to Pawtucket and have placed George Kottaras on the disabled list in a pair of corresponding moves. Josh Reddick, called up with McBeth yesterday, is in the starting line up for Boston tonight playing right field.

Shannon Wilkerson promoted to Greenville

Outfielder Shannon Wilkerson, the Red Sox' 8th-round selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft, has been promoted to Greenville. In 31 games with the Lowell Spinners, Wilkerson hit .264/.308/.424, including a team-high 5 triples. Wilkerson was also second on the Spinners with 10 doubles, and had drawn raves for his defense in the outfield, mostly in right.

Wilkerson was named the Division II Player of the Year by the NCBWA and ABCA this spring after his junior season at Augusta (Ga.) State. The speedy Wilkerson led the Peach Belt Conference with a .441 batting average, .891 slugging percentage, 82 runs scored, 101 hits, 24 home runs, and 7 triples this year, and he was also named to the Rawlings/ABCA National Gold Glove team after going errorless in 146 chances.

Wilkerson will take the roster spot vacated by pitcher Nick Hagadone, who was traded to Cleveland on Friday as part of the trade that brought catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez to Boston. His spot in Lowell will be filled by the recently-signed Alex Hassan, who will likely fill Wilkerson's role as a starting outfielder.

Spinners top Vermont in 12 innings

Five of the seven Red Sox affiliates found themselves in close contests on Friday, with one run providing the margin of victory or defeat. Pawtucket was able to pull out a 4-3 victory over Buffalo in its tight contest, thanks in no small part to Mark Wagner, who hit his first two Triple-A home runs and drove in 3 in the victory. Brian Anderson had a pair of hits in 4 at-bats, including a double, scoring once and driving in one, while Jeff Natale had three walks in four plate appearances, scoring once. Billy Traber (7-5) got the job done with six strong innings, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks, striking out one. Rocky Cherry got credit for 2.0 innings of relief in facing 5 batters, inducing a double play from the first batter he faced and retiring the next four. Fernando Cabrera, in his first appearance since coming off the Temporarily Inactive List, picked up the save despite allowing 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 1.

Portland had an easier time with Harrisburg, taking a 5-3 win with every hitter reaching base. Ryan Kalish played center field with Josh Reddick up in Boston, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, scoring 1 run and driving in another. Jorge Jimenez had Portland’s lone home run, going 2-for-5 with 3 RBI and a run scored. Yamaico Navarro, Jon Still, and Reid Engel also had two hits apiece, with Navarro and Still each tallying a double. Adam Mills (9-5) picked up the win by allowing just 5 hits and no walks over 7.0 innings, although 3 runs scored thanks to two Harrisburg home runs. He struck out 3. Groundball machines Chris Province and Bryce Cox each pitched a scoreless inning in relief, strangely inducing just one worm-burner between them.

Salem dropped a 3-2 decision as they continued their series with former Sox affiliate Wilmington. Dave McKae was strong making a last-minute spot start in place of Bryan Price, who was traded Friday afternoon, allowing just 5 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned, over 5.0 innings, striking out 4. Kyle Fernandes (4-2) took the loss after allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk in his 2.0 innings of work, striking out 2. Jason Rice tossed a scoreless inning, striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Jon Hee led the Salem Sox at the plate, going 3-for-4. Daniel Nava and Zach Borowiak had a pair of hits each, with Borowiak scoring once. Che-Hsuan Lin returned to the starting lineup as the DH after coming off the bench in the last two contests due to a minor injury, going 0-for-4 with a walk and scoring 1 run.

The largest winning margin came courtesy of the Greenville Drive, who beat another former Sox affiliate, Augusta, 10-4. Will Middlebrooks continued his hot streak, going 3-for-5 with a double and scoring twice. Jeremy Hazelbaker, Zach Gentile, Mitch Dening, Pete Hissey, and Michael Thomas each had a pair of hits. Hazelbaker had a triple, Dening a double, and Hissey one of each among their safeties. Jered Stanley had the lone home run, his first since rejoining the Drive. Fabian Williamson (7-3) went the first 5.0, holding the Green Jackets scoreless in scattering 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out four. Jeremy Kehrt earned the save by pitching the final 4.0 innings, allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, on 8 hits and a HBP, striking out 2.

Lowell needed 12 innings to topple Vermont, 3-2, with Christian Vazquez driving in Drew Hedman with the winning run on a single to center. Wilfred Pichardo allowed the Spinners to even get to extras by blasting his first his first professional home run in the top of the 8th, a two-run blast that tied the game 2-2. Pichardo was 2-for-6, adding a double as well. Ryan Westmoreland and Ronald Bermudez each had a pair of hits in the effort. Yeiper Castillo got the start, allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, in 5.0 innings of work, giving up 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 8. Will Latimer (2.0 inn.), Kyle Rutter (1.2 inn), and Dennis Neuman (1.1 inn.) each allowed 1 hit in keeping the Lake Monsters scoreless before giving way to Anatanaer Batista (3-0), who got the win by tossing the final 2.0 innings, allowing 1 hit and 2 walks and striking out 4.

The GCL Sox were the only affiliate that played at home on Friday, but they dropped a 2-1 decision to their cross-town rivals, the Twins. Manny Rivera had a stellar performance on the rubber, going allowing just 2 hits and striking out 7 over 5.0 innings. Kyle Stroup allowed 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 2 in his 2.0 scoreless innings. The loss went to Dustin Mercadante (0-1), who gave up 2 runs, 1 earned, on 2 hits in throwing the final 2.0 innings. Eddie Lora drove in the lone Sox run on his third home run of the year, his only hit of the game. Felix Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a double, and Ken Roque went 2-for-3 with a walk in the loss.

Down in the Dominican, the DSL Sox lost to the Marlins, 1-0. Juan Rodriguez started the game with 5.0 no-hit innings, allowing just a walk and a HBP while striking out 7. Luis Diaz (0-2) got the tough-luck loss, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing just an unearned run on 3 hits and a walk with 3 strikeouts. At the plate, Dreily Guerrero had the Sox’s lone extra-base hit, going 1-for-3 with a double. Keury De La Cruz and Curtney Doran both reached twice, each going 1-for-3 with a walk.

Player of the Night: