If you even care… and it’s fine if you don’t.
The world sucks. This ownership group sucks. I remember yesterday when I was happy, or at least happier. If you’re going to be reading these articles to hate watch James Tibbs and Jose Bello, just know I’ll be right there with you writing it. But it’s definitely not their fault they were part of the most consequential trade the organization made in what should have been a decade but instead was in five years, and I truly do hope they perform well. Heaven knows they’re going to need to. Let’s get into it, I guess…
Worcester: L, 1-4 (BOX SCORE)
Worcester’s light-hitting ways continued on Sunday afternoon behind four scoreless frames by Cooper Criswell, but it’s hard for the bullpen to compete with an offense that managed just two knocks, one of which was a home run by Seby Zavala. Even on Password’s worst night so far in Triple-A, he still drew a walk. But with this slumping plate presence by the WooSox most of this series in Lehigh Valley (Phillies AAA) he didn’t score.
Portland: L, 1-3 (BOX SCORE)
Did someone say no run support? Portland scored two runs or less for the seventh time in two weeks (though, to be fair, about half of those were in 7-inning contests.) Noah Song fanned three in two innings again, and, call me crazy, I really think it might be plausible that the 29-year-old makes his MLB debut this year. Zach Ehrhard, the Oklahoma State outfielder who had a six-game hitting streak come to an end on Saturday, was back at it on Sunday in Somerset (Yankees AA), logging one of two of the Sea Dogs’ extra=base hit.
Greenville: W, 8-4 (BOX SCORE)
Been waiting all year to lead off a Greenville box score like this…. woooooah Nelly! Nelly Taylor put this game out of reach for the Renegades (Yankes High-A) in the eighth inning with his fifth home run in High-A, and also was plated in a bases-clearing double by catcher Brooks Brannon with no outs and the bags juiced. Franklin Arias reaches base yet again, with a slipping OPS still above a very formidable .800, and Miguel Bleis is looking Portland-ready… maybe just in time for Mr. Tibbs to arrive in Greenville?
Salem: L, 4-5 (BOX SCORE)
The bottom third of the lineup went 6-for-11 albeit with just one RBI in Delmarva (Orioles A) but, ultimately, Salem manager Liam Carroll did his best Alex Cora impression and pulled his hot pitcher far, far, far, too early. Austin Ehrlicher had a no-hitter going through five with seven strikeouts under his belt but, at just 68 pitches, Carroll opted to put Joe Vogatsky up, who would allow six hits and three runs in five outs. Sometimes, it’s the way the cookie crumbles.
Since I’m off tomorrow, I am writing this edition of Minor Lines in memory of my dog, Cassie, who has been my rock since I was in high school. She’s gotten quite lethargic and shaky lately on top of being both deaf and blind, so the difficult decision was made to put her over the rainbow bridge at the age of 14 tomorrow afternoon. I simply do not know what I’m going to do without her. If all dogs go to heaven, I hope Cassie can eat all the ice cube her heart desires. To all, have a happy Monday!
