June 2, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Cup of Coffee: Workman, Bogaerts shine in Portland
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Behind a solid start from Allen Webster, the PawSox defeated the Syracuse Chiefs (WAS), 5-3. Webster was shaky to begin the game, allowing a run in the first on a walk and a double, but he bared down to strike the final two batters out to escape further damage. A fourth-inning home run pushed the second run across for the Chiefs, but that was all they would get off Webster, as he went 6 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and three walks, while striking out six. His sinker seemed to be working, as he finished with a nine-to-one groundball-to-flyball ratio.
The PawSox offense was slow to start the game, but came through in the fifth, with Brock Holt hitting an RBI double, and Dan Butler knocking in a run with a ground out to tie the game. They took the lead in the sixth on a Justin Henry two-out single and added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth. Alex Wilson got the hold, allowing one run in 1 2/3 innings, while Pedro Beato notched his second save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Brandon Snyder's three hits led the offense, and Holt went 2 for 4 but also had an error in the field.
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Xander Bogaerts reached base four times, but it was not enough, as the Sea Dogs fell to the Altoona Curve (PIT), 2-1. Bogaerts doubled in the first inning, but the Sea Dogs were not able to advance him, leaving him in scoring position to end the inning. This was a theme for the whole game, with Bogaerts not advancing once in his four times on base. He was stranded at first three times after a single and two walks. The lone run for Portland came in the seventh when Michael Almanzar crushed a hanging breaking ball deep over the left field wall.
Brandon Workman kept Portland in the game, tossing eight innings of one-run ball to lower his ERA to 3.43. He allowed only three hits and two walks and added five strikeouts. Ian Cundall, our Northeast Scout, was in attendance, and he had Workman's fastball at 92-94 mph to start the game, and it faded to 90-92 towards the end of his outing. Miguel Celestino came out throwing 93-97 in the top of the ninth, but he allowed a solo home run that proved to be the difference in the game.
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Salem's late rally was not enough, as the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (TEX) escaped with a 5-3 victory. Salem starter William Cuevas pitched well through the first five innings, allowing only one run, but he ran into trouble in the sixth. He surrendered two singles and a double before being pulled, and then both inherited runners came around to score to give the Pelicans a four-run lead.
Matty Johnson hit a two-run double to help Salem score twice in the eighth, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple to end the inning. In the ninth, Deven Marrero doubled and scored on a Brandon Jacobs single, but it was not enough to dig out of the early hole. Marrero, Jacobs, Garin Cecchini and David Renfroe all had two hits, with Cecchini and Renfroe adding a walk.
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In a rare offensive outburst, the Drive slugged their way to a 9-3 win over the Asheville Tourists (COL). The news was not all good for the Drive, though, as Pat Light, who just came off the disabled list with a hamstring injury, lasted only three pitches before being pulled with an injury. Luis Diaz was able to save the bullpen, tossing 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball to pick up his first victory of the season.
Every member of the Drive reached base at least once, with newcomer Mario Martinez leading the way with four hits. As always, Mookie Betts got in on the action, going 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored, and Aneury Tavarez went 2 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, and a stolen base.
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The Red Sox opened the Dominican Summer League (DSL) on the right foot, with an 8-5 victory over the DSL Rays (TB). Dedgar Jimenez, a big left-hander who the Red Sox signed for $175,000 last July, tossed the first four innings, surrendering one run on five hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Edgar Garcia, who is now in his third year in the DSL, gave up four runs in his four innings of work, and the Red Sox were down 5-1 entering the seventh.
In the seventh, Luis Alejandro Basabe led off the inning with a walk, stole second, and scored on a Javier Guerra single. Still down two in the ninth, Franklin Guzman hit a two-out, two-run home run to tie the game and send it into extra innings. The Red Sox carried that momentum into the tenth, as Alejandro Basabe hit a sacrifice fly to give them the lead, and then his twin brother, Luis Alexander Basabe, followed with an RBI double.
The twins, who were signed out of Venezuela for identical $450,000 signing bonuses, each reached base three times, with Alejandro walking three times out of the number nine spot, while Alexander went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a walk as the leadoff hitter. Guerra went 3 for 6 with a double, and Guzman 2 for 4 with a home run.
Every member of the Drive reached base at least once, with newcomer Mario Martinez leading the way with four hits. As always, Mookie Betts got in on the action, going 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored, and Aneury Tavarez went 2 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, and a stolen base.
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The Red Sox opened the Dominican Summer League (DSL) on the right foot, with an 8-5 victory over the DSL Rays (TB). Dedgar Jimenez, a big left-hander who the Red Sox signed for $175,000 last July, tossed the first four innings, surrendering one run on five hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Edgar Garcia, who is now in his third year in the DSL, gave up four runs in his four innings of work, and the Red Sox were down 5-1 entering the seventh.
In the seventh, Luis Alejandro Basabe led off the inning with a walk, stole second, and scored on a Javier Guerra single. Still down two in the ninth, Franklin Guzman hit a two-out, two-run home run to tie the game and send it into extra innings. The Red Sox carried that momentum into the tenth, as Alejandro Basabe hit a sacrifice fly to give them the lead, and then his twin brother, Luis Alexander Basabe, followed with an RBI double.
The twins, who were signed out of Venezuela for identical $450,000 signing bonuses, each reached base three times, with Alejandro walking three times out of the number nine spot, while Alexander went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a walk as the leadoff hitter. Guerra went 3 for 6 with a double, and Guzman 2 for 4 with a home run.
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Player of the Day: This award could easily go to Bogaerts, who reached base four times and raised his numbers over his last nine games to .433/.561/.833. However, his teammate Brandon Workman outshone him on Saturday, tossing eight innings of one-run ball in his longest outing as a professional. After a dominant April, Workman fell back down to earth in May, posting a 4.82 ERA in 28 innings. His strikeout and walk numbers stayed strong in May, as his .400 BABIP was unreasonably high, though it was due to regress after it was only .210 in April. His numbers and scouting reports show that he is someone who could possibly help the big-league club as soon as next season.
Photo Credit: Brandon Workman by Kelly O'Connor
Jim Crowell is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.
Player of the Day: This award could easily go to Bogaerts, who reached base four times and raised his numbers over his last nine games to .433/.561/.833. However, his teammate Brandon Workman outshone him on Saturday, tossing eight innings of one-run ball in his longest outing as a professional. After a dominant April, Workman fell back down to earth in May, posting a 4.82 ERA in 28 innings. His strikeout and walk numbers stayed strong in May, as his .400 BABIP was unreasonably high, though it was due to regress after it was only .210 in April. His numbers and scouting reports show that he is someone who could possibly help the big-league club as soon as next season.
Photo Credit: Brandon Workman by Kelly O'Connor
Jim Crowell is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.