Plus, Portland pitches a combined no-hitter.
Nothing will make you feel better than seeing the top two affiliates scoring 22 runs between them until you realize none of these guys are on Boston’s roster right now. I’m here to again highlight the bat of Nathan Hickey and observe that Nick Sogard can play clean defense at any position needed. Let’s get right into it.
Worcester: W, 12-10 (BOX SCORE)
Even with a bullpen day fronted by (ahem, I gotta do this for one second) RAFAEL DEVERS ACQUISITION PIECE JORDAN HICKS having a horrific 2⁄3 inning start and the Bisons (Blue Jays AAA) getting ten runs, the WooSox managed a win in the series finale. This was thanks in large part to Password Garcia ripping not one, but two long balls including one to put the WooSox up 11-4; it would prove to be just enough to hold amidst faulty relief.
Credit is also due to the men who got on base prior to Password’s homers on a 5-RBI day; Nick Sogard and Kristian Campbell each had multiple hits of their own and the three combined for 15 total bases. Lastly, Nathan Hickey, not normally a speed asset, scored two on a triple to open up the scoring. If Nick Sogard would provide stability defensively for a Major League roster and Kristian Campbell needs to find his bat again down in Triple-A, I really would like to again make the case for Hickey to provide a platoon catcher and first base option that gives the Red Sox some power back.
Portland: W, 10-0 (BOX SCORE)
You read it right! That is a combined no-hitter by the Sea Dogs pitching staff, started by David Sandlin as he struck out nine RubberDucks (Guardians AA). You may remember Sandlin, 24, as the guy acquired for John Schreiber after Schreiber’s best season in the Majors. The no-hitter was finished off despite Sandlin, Chris Troye, and Jon Brand letting six walks pass. And Portland was very good at the plate – Max Ferguson had three hits, the team drew seven walks on twelve hits, and Luis Ravelo hit his first home run in Double-A. After Portland’s rough month offensively, a ten-run win is much appreciated.
Greenville: L, 4-6 (F/10) (BOX SCORE)
Greenville is probably glad to see this week against Greensboro (Pirates High-A) come to a close, as Peyton Tolle pitched yet another masterful six-inning appearance and appears primed for a promotion, but they lost 6-4 despite heading into extras tied at 2. The Drive enjoyed just one extra-base hit on the day, and that was from the second batter of the game, Miguel Bleis, who’d score on a Johanfran Garcia line drive.
Salem: L, 3-6 (BOX SCORE)
Speaking of limited extra-base hits, two of the three Salem got against Fredericksburg (Nationals A) came off the bat of leadoff man Justin Gonzales, who’s been on a bit of a hot streak this week, getting his third multi-hit game. This one in particular, he had the not-often-seen combo of a double and a triple, scoring on both occasions, one from an Enddy Azocar home run. The team drew just two walks all game and had just four at-bats with runners in scoring position, scoring on none of them.
Have a happy Monday!