Worcester: Canceled, Rain
The finale against the Red Wings (Nationals AAA) ended up as the second game canceled this series due to inclement weather. This was a blessing in disguise for both clubs’ pitching staff as they used a combined thirteen pitchers on Saturday in Brayan Bello’s first AAA start, so an extra day of rest isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Portland: W, 9-3 (BOX SCORE)
With Brannon and Arias both out of the lineup, Sunday afternoon still managed to look like batting practice for the Sea Dogs in the finale against the Fightin Phils (Phillies
AA). They got 3 home runs and 7 total runs in the 5th inning and had 18 total knocks on the night. This offensive power included Stanley Tucker, newly promoted from Salem, introducing himself with 2 RBIs; he’d also reach base on a walk. Johanfran Garcia, meanwhile hit his eleventh homer of the season as he continues to rake.
John Holobetz backed the offense up with six strong scoreless innings, striking six out. Holobetz, the “player to be named later” in the Quinn Priester deal, remains an intriguing prospect, if not for his run prevention, for his ability to avoid barrels and keep his pitch count down, helping him go later in games later than his counterparts. The 4.70 ERA is concerning, but he could be worth a look to see if that low fastball also escapes being hit hard against batters with Major League experience in Triple-A. The team as a whole struggles with run prevention, so Holobetz now slides into second in the rotation in ERA (behind Wehunt) as well as in strikeouts (behind Mullins, who definitely is ready for an extended look.)
Greenville: L, 2-12 (BOX SCORE)
Marcus Phillips walked seven in another short and inopportune showing for the Drive against the Dash (White Sox High-A) and the relief staff made things worse by getting taken for twelve runs. The entire staff got hit around, walked ten (including Phillips’ seven) and allowed three home runs. Even if the pitching staff performed well, though, the Drive managed just four hits on the afternoon and took until sixth to put one run on the board, so that’s a tough hole to overcome on any day.
Salem: L, 5-9 (BOX SCORE)
This was a plausable win for the RidgeYaks if they either recorded more than 1 hit after the second inning or if they didn’t allow three consecutive multi-run innings, but both things were working in Fayetteville’s (Astros A) favor Sunday afternoon. Their only batter with multiple hits happened to be their nine-hole hitter. Salem is handed their eighth consecutive loss.
Have a motivational Monday.
