Pawtucket W 9-8
Ryan Roberts: 3-5, 2 2B, 3B, 2 K
Alex Hassan: 3-4, 2B, BB
Ryan Lavarnway: 3-4, BB
Bryce Brentz: 1-5, 2 K
Christian Vazquez: 0-5
Garin Cecchini: 0-4, BB, 4 K
Brandon Workman: 5 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Quite the divide between Boston's depth players and the actual prospects in Pawtucket. Cecchini can take a day like this on the chin without too much trouble, but we're better than a month into the season now and Christian Vazquez has still yet to start hitting. He doesn't have to, necessarily, given his glove, but his performances in recent years have produced at least some hope that he'll be able to contribute in the bottom of Boston's lineup. But a .265/.321/.353 line in Pawtucket promises no such thing.
Salem L 3-4
Simon Mercedes: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
Simon Mercedes is striking out better than a batter per inning, and walking fewer than three per nine. He also has a 4.26 ERA. The problem right now seems to be that, once he allows a baserunner, he has some serious trouble putting the brakes on. With the bases empty, Mercedes has allowed eight hits and four walks in recording 47 outs. With men on, he's allowed 14 hits and four wals in recording 29. That might mean he has difficulty pitching out of the stretch. It might mean he's got issues with nerves. Or it might just mean he's the victim of bad (random) timing over a small sample size.
Time will tell, but with the 22-year-old Mercedes still at least a couple years away from the majors, this problem of his is not terribly concerning in the face of the overall positive performance that shines through in games like this one.
Greenville L 3-10
Forrestt Allday: 0-4, 2 K
Wendell Rijo: 0-2, K
Manuel Margot: 1-3, HR
That's Manuel Margot's first homer in a bit. Hopefully this will help to jump-start a slow start to the month for the young outfielder. While he's slowed down after looking like a world-beater to start the year, he's still showing progress over 2013 in terms of power and contact.