Minor Lines 5/22: Richard Fitts begins rehab at Portland

And Franklin Arias stays scorching hot on the season with a four-hit day, as the Sox’ affiliates sweep.

Portland Sea Dogs 6, Reading Fightin Phils 3 (BOX)

Richard Fitts was redirected to Double-A on Thursday to make his first rehab start, as Worcester was rained out. Fitts threw three shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out two, while throwing 31 of 38 pitches for strikes. He left with a 2-0 lead, thanks to a pair of RBI singles from first baseman Blaze Jordan. Dalton Rogers relieved Fitts, allowing three runs over 3 2/3 innings.

With the Sea Dogs trailing Reading (PHI) 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Phils pitcher Wil Crowe imploded, walking four (two who would come around to score), and balking in a run. An Allan Castro sacrifice fly made it 6-3, to cap the scoring on the day. In addition to Jordan, Marvin Alcantara and Caden Rose each had multi-hit days.

The Sea Dogs are now 22-17 and David Sandlin (1-1, 5.23) gets the ball at 6:05 ET Friday.

Greenville Drive 4, Bowling Green Hot Rods 3 (BOX)

Franklin Arias led off the game with a triple, the start of a monster day for him, before scoring on a sacrifice fly. Arias went 4-for-5, increasing his average to .350 in 19 games at High-A. Over 38 games between two levels, the 19-year-old Arias is now slashing .348/.405/.456 with 2 home runs, 26 RBI, 23 runs scored, and 5 stolen bases, with just an 11.6 K%.

Noah Dean got the start for the Drive, and outside of allowing a two-run homer in the second, had a strong outing. He allowed just two hits over five innings, striking out four, to get his first win of the season.

With the Hot Rods (TB) handing out flyers for this one, they led 2-1 before the Drive put up a three-spot in the fourth inning. Brooks Brannon, Justin Riemer, and Andy Lugo all drove in runs, and that was all they needed in a 4-3 win. Michael Sansone threw three innings in relief, and Isaac Stebens picked up his second save.

The Drive improved to 19-23 and will start Payton Tolle (1-2, 4.56) at 7:35 ET Friday.

Salem Red Sox 10, Delmerva Shorebirds 3 (BOX)

A close game against the Shorebirds (BAL) turned into a runaway late, as Salem put up six runs in the eighth inning. Third baseman Freili Encarnacion and left fielder Natanael Yuten each had singles in the big rally, part of their respective three-hit days for Salem, with Yuten driving in three runs. Fraymi De Leon also had two hits, with two RBI and two runs on the day.

Austin Ehrlicher went the first three innings, without allowing an earned run, before Griffin Kilander threw five excellent innings, allowing one run and striking out six for the win (2-2).

Salem (18-23) completed the sweep throughout the Red Sox affiliates on Thursday. On Friday, they’ll send Steven Brooks (2-1, 5.01) to the hill at 6:35 ET.

Durham Bulls at Worcester Red Sox – postponed

The Bulls and Woo Sox will play a doubleheader on Friday, beginning at 4:05. Cooper Criswell (2-1, 1.99) will start game one, with the second game TBD. In the meantime, the team threw a birthday party for Roman Anthony’s 21^st. I’m going to guess he would’ve preferred to celebrate with a Boston promotion instead, but this will have to do for now.