Red Sox Minor Lines: Kyle Kendrick throws seven shutout innings

Pawtucket W 10-1

Deven Marrero: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI

Brock Holt: 1-3, 1 R, 1 RBI

Rusney Castillo: 0-3, 2 BB, 1 R

Steve Selsky: 0-4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI

Sam Travis: 2-4, 2 R, 1 K

Blake Swihart: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 4 RBI, 1 K

Bryce Brentz: 0-4

Kyle Kendrick: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K

Robbie Ross: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Kyle Martin: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Lots of encouraging performances in this blowout for Pawtucket. Brock Holt started his rehab. Deven Marrero had a big game, perhaps motivated by the addition of Chase d’Arnaud to the organization. Sam Travis and Blake Swihart had strong performances at the plate after recent clumps. Kyle Kendrick had an outstanding start after a disappointing start to the season. I’m not sure this is enough to get him back to his pre-regular season standing, but it’s a step in the right direction. Ross wasn’t great, but Martin continues to be on a very good run in the bullpen. For one day, at least, the Red Sox have to be happy about their depth.

Portland L 7-10

Aneury Tavarez: 1-3, 2 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

Danny Mars: 1-3, 1 3B, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 E

Rafael Devers: 0-5, 2 K

Nick Longhi: 1-5, 1 K

Ty Buttrey: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Austin Maddox: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K

It’s been a weird stretch for the Seadogs, as rain has kept them off the field for the better part of a week. That kind of run can make small slumps appear worse, which is what’s happening in the case of Rafael Devers. One way of looking at things is that he has gone three straight games without reaching base and has five strikeouts in that span. That’s obviously not great, but it’s also only four games. Another way of looking at it is that he hasn’t reached base since April 22, which seems a lot worse. He’s in a little slump, but the lack of games makes it seem a lot more troubling than it is.

Salem W 6-2

Tate Matheny: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Josh Tobias: 3-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 K

Josh Ockimey: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Michael Chavis: 1-2, 2 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI

Austin Rei: 0-2, 2 HBP, 1 CS

Kyri Washington: 0-4, 2 K

Travis Lakins: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K

How many more starts with Lakins get at High-A before being promoted up to Portland? He’s not got a 3.08 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 8 walks in 26 ¹⁄₃ innings of work. This is his second year at the level, and after a disappointing full-season debut he’s been impressive just about every time out in 2017. He’ll be among the first promotions. Tobias could be an early promotion, too, hitting .325/.398/.482 to start the year.

Greenville L 2-3 (F/10)

Santiago Espinal: 0-5, 1 SB

Tyler Hill: 0-5, 1 K, 1 PO

Bobby Dalbec: 0-4, 2 K

Nick Lovullo: 0-3, 1 HBP, 2 K

Yoan Aybar: 0-3, 3 K

Lorenzo Cedrola: 2-4, 1 R, 2 SB

Shaun Anderson: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Dalbec, like Devers above him, has gone three straight games without a hit with five strikeouts in that span. Unlike Devers, this one is a little more concerning. For one thing, the strikeout issues that threatened to plague him last year haven’t gone away after an offseason to focus solely on hitting. After yesterday’s two strikeout day he is carrying a 36 percent strikeout rate. The power generally cancels that out, but Dalbec is now six games removed from his last extra base hit. It is, of course, far too early to write him off, but he has to do something about the Ks.