Worcester: W, 5-2 (BOX SCORE)
Kyle Harrison’s biggest issue in Triple-A has been his efficiency, as he often requires 20-25 pitches to make it through an inning, even a clean one. This time in Durham (Rays AAA), the lefty got through three innings without much incident in 38 pitches. That’s better! I’m running out of times saying “this might have been his last start in Worcester” before it looks like a boy who cried wolf scenario, but with September 1 looming and Alex Cora recently having to run an opener, it looks like this shorter
appearance was for a reason.
From the looks of things, outside of Sandlin’s inning of work, the pitching held things down. The pace was mostly controlled by Worcester’s early lead via Nick Sogard hitting a leadoff home run. With that long ball, Sogard extended his on-base streak to 22 games, but he also got two other knocks and a walk on the night. CENTER FIELDER Kristian Campbell also followed with two hits of his own, and Seby Zavala cushioned the lead with a ninth-inning solo shot.
Portland: W, 6-2 (BOX SCORE)
John Holobetz has looked solid in the rotation for Portland. This start in Hartford, CT against the Yard Goats (Rockies AA) was no different, as he allowed just three hits and two walks on six innings of work while striking out six. He then handed it off to Reidis Sena to get the nine-out save. The intention was probably to have Sena in for two innings, but Portland added another insurance run in the eighth and so he kept rolling. Portland’s leadoff hitter, Abhram Liendo, like Sogard, also got three hits on the night, which is exactly what you want from a leadoff hitter.
Greenville: L, 2-5 (BOX SCORE)
Usually, when your lineup strands ten guys, you stand a pretty good chance of losing that game. When the starter gives up two home runs in just over two innings of work, your chances of losing that game compound, even if the bullpen does settle things down. The Drive did indeed lose against Bowling Green (Rays High-A) who clinched a post-season appearance with that win. Leadoff guys doing leadoff guys things was again in effect as Franklin Arias, who’s had a streaky season to say the least, got on base four times, two of which were walks he worked. Greenville failed to capitalize on this by getting even one extra-base hit.
Salem: L, 4-9 (BOX SCORE)
Brady Tygart was hit around in his short start, getting tagged for six runs from Kannapolis (White Sox A). Salem had ten hits on the night but stranded eleven, even with enjoying a first-inning home run from Yoelin Cespedes and three hits from Nathanael Yuten, both of whom seem like candidates to start next season in Greenville if not get called up after this series. Tuesday’s loss really comes down to a lack of plating runs when it matters.
Have a great Wednesday!
