Sunday proved a let-down at the major league level. For those hoping for better from the minors, well, the teams won a few games, but the performances mostly left something to be desired.
Pawtucket Game 1 W 8-1 (In 7)
Jackie Bradley Jr.: 0-3, BB, K
Ryan Lavarnway: 1-2, 2 BB
Jose Iglesias: 1-4, 2B, K
Jeremy Hazelbaker: 2-3, 2B, BB, K
Pawtucket Game 2 L 0-2 (In 7)
Jeremy Hazelbaker: 1-3
Bryce Brentz: 0-2, BB, 2 K
Jose Iglesias: 0-3
Brock Holt: 0-2
Chris Hernandez: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Jeremy Hazelbaker, at least, keeps right on rolling, and Ryan Lavarnway is content to take walks while the minor leaguers won't throw him pitches to hit.
Portland W 8-7
Xander Bogaerts: 0-3, BB, 2 K
Travis Shaw: 0-3, BB
Michael Almanzar: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 K
Kolbrin Vitek: 1-4, 3B, K
Drake Britton: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Xander Bogaerts had been on a roll, but it's hard to be too disappointed with any game that sees him walking early on. Hitters get hot and hitters get cold, but having the ability to take pitches like he did in Salem is probably a better sign for future success than a coupl of singles would have been.
Salem W 1-0
Deven Marrero: 1-4, 2B, BB, 2 K, SB
Garin Cecchini: 0-2, 2 BB, SB, E
Brandon Jacobs: 1-3, BB, 2 K, SB
Keury De La Cruz: 1-3, 2B, BB, K, CS, A
David Renfroe: 0-3, BB, K, POCS
Henry Ramos: 1-3, BB
Salem has fully bought into the John Farrell mindset on the basepaths, clearly.
Greenville L 3-6
Jose Vinicio: 1-4, K, E
Brian Johnson: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Austin Maddox: 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Brian Johnson's game is simply...improbable. How does one allow seven baserunners in 2.2 innings and have the homer go for just the one run? As for Austin Maddox, well, these first four starts are the sort that make you wonder if he wouldn't have been better off sticking to catching.