Leading us to again ask: if not now, when?
Watching this Red Sox offense and this bullpen has made me want to take up another hobby. As watching minor league box scores counts as a hobby, it at least pleases me to see Roman Anthony hit another home run before that happiness was replaced with anger with the Red Sox not giving good pitching performances any run support, while the bullpen blowing saves on a nightly basis. Let’s get into the minor league action.
Worcester: L, 6-11 (BOX SCORE)
I have a bit of extra time to elaborate on a concern about the Major League roster configuration today since — spoiler alert — Greenville and Salem were both rained out.
Yes, thirty seconds into this game in Scranton (Yankees AAA) Roman Anthony had a home run, and since no one left the yard yet again for the Red Sox, it’s going to lead to more questions about when the outfielder will get called up. To which I say: it’s about time because this is not a Major League lineup. Roman Anthony now has eight home runs and an OPS approaching 1.000 in Worcester.
To elaborate further: Bobby Dalbec has a higher OPS this season than Trevor Story. Rob Refsnyder has a higher slugging percentage than Story. If the ultimate destiny for Ceddanne Rafaela is a glove with not much bat to speak of, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing him play more shortstop to get Roman Anthony in the lineup. End of story, though, I want the end of Story on the Boston Red Sox.
There’s still more: Vaughn Grissom had yet another multi-hit day, one day removed from having his eight-game hitting streak broken. And for those who clocked Pat Murphy putting on Rafael Devers in a pivotal spot Monday afternoon because he only had Connor Wong behind him for protection, know this: Nathan Hickey has as many home runs as Anthony this season (albeit with a much lower slash line and a strikeout rate nearing 30%) adding up to a respectable .240/.317/.425. The 25-year-old has played first the lion’s share of Worcester’s recent games, but can also catch.
Oh, by the way, while I’m praising Roman Anthony, Vaughn Grissom, and Nathan Hickey and marveling at how much better this lineup seems to hit situationally than guys on the Major League roster, here’s a fact: the Worcester pitching staff gave up seventeen hits on the night and lost by five runs even with the team having an awesome night at the plate.
Portland: L, 2-4 (BOX SCORE)
Mikey Romero showing some PATIENCE at the plate with four walks. For the record, the Sea Dogs didn’t walk an Altoona (Pirates AA) batter all night. Not that tonight was replete baserunners in general on either side, since both teams totaled just eight hits. Besides Romero’s sombrero of bases on balls, the only other walk issued on the night was Blaze Jordan. Jordan was too busy driving in Portlands’ two runs on the night with his sixth home run of the season. I think I’m at 2023 Rafaela levels of “get this kid up”; he was now drafted five years ago and has had some nagging injuries but has some periods when he just rakes. With Password now taking some at-bats in Triple-A, this Jordan situation becomes a bit easier to navigate with perhaps one more roster move.
Blake Wehunt pitched well enough to win probably 90% of games he’ll play as a professional, giving up three runs on four hits and striking out nine Curve batters (do we say he curved some swings?) but the three runs were too much for the bats to overcome tonight.
Greenville and Salem: Both PPD, Make Up Today
Busy day for me and for the Drive and Red Sox later today (I’m writing this on Tuesday night, so typing today when meaning tomorrow is like I’m waving at future me through a time warp), as Greenville’s home double-header against Jersey City (did this team rebrand recently?) begins at 4:00 and Salem crosses the South Carolina-North Carolina border and faces the Mudcats starting at 5:00.
Have a happy Wednesday!