Worcester: L, 1-12 (BOX SCORE)
The Red Wings (Nationals AAA) had the WooSox’s number for the duration of the night, as only two Worceter batters recorded a hit (Matt Lloyd and Braiden Ward.) But it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Jack Anderson got shelled, allowing six runs off nine hits including two home runs, both in the first inning, and Seth Martinez had a rough bullpen outing. It was 12-1 after six innings, and truth be told, given that Worcester was taken for sixteen hits and seven walks, it could have been uglier than that.
Portland: W, 2-1 (BOX SCORE)
John Holobetz put in six shutout innings and kept the Fightin’ Phils (Phillies AA) honest as Portland now wins their second consecutive game by a combined score of 3-1. Before I spend a paragraph on the reason you all clicked (picture below) I want to say that I kind of like John Holobetz, who some may know as the return in the Quinn Priester trade, and I think there’s a chance the 24-year-old could be an MLB level multi-innings guy within the next 12 months. His fastball touches 96 but averages around 93 so nothing too spectacular there, but it has good movement and gathers a lot of swings and misses at the top of the zone. And now, for the reason for these two runs amidst a mostly stagnant offense…
The Sea Dogs’ offense was almost entirely off the back of Franklin Arias and his two solo shots to boost his total to 10; he’s on pace to hit 30. I mean, what else is there to say? Arias has consistently had an OPS over 1.000 the entire season. He has the power the Red Sox so obviously lack this season. And yet, we don’t know yet if he can hit MLB pitching, and I think it should stay that way for at least another year. I do think Arias’ time in Double-A is over and a call up to Triple-A is overdue and I also think with Trevor Story being, well… not good, there’s no way, if you’re Craig Breslow, you look at the 2027 and beyond iteration of the roster and not figure Mayer and Arias as your infield, and that’s without even picturing where Mikey Romero goes organizationally. But, with Arias being 20, there’s no real reason to rush it and risk messing up a bonafide middle infield power hitter.
Greenville: PPD, Make Up 5/24
Today’s one-game day in Frederick, MD (Orioles High-A) remains untouched as Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader was outright cancelled following a nasty storm and Greenville will play yesterday’s game two in a double-header tomorrow starting at noon.
Salem, Game 1: W, 3-1 (F/7) (BOX SCORE)
Jay Allmer has had a tough season. He’s been touched up in Portland and Greenville and has been sent down to Low-A to re-tool, and honestly, probably to regroup. He seemed to have it figured out against the Howlers (Guardians A) as he struck out three and navigated the ship in relief on choppy offensive waters. Last year’s 16th round pick, Jason Gilman, had a really good start, allowing two hits and one run, and couldn’t get the last out for the decision win. Avinson Pinto, the shortstop who turns 19 next week, gave the team a lot to celebrate with a clutch seventh-inning long ball to put them up for good.
Salem: : L, 1-2 (F/8) (BOX SCORE)
Jose Bello pitched into the sixth and looked great, giving up three hits and just one run, but ultimately ran into some trouble in the sixth of this abbreviated contest. The game went to extras at 1-1 as just two guys in the Salem offense had knocks (Kleyver Salazar and Stanley Tucker each had two.) Nicolas De La Cruz struck out five in his two innings but, ultimately, walks did him in and he got walked off looking for the final out that would have sent the game to the ninth.
Have a skippy Saturday.
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