Red Sox Minor Lines: A great day for Hector Velazquez

Pawtucket W 1-0

Rusney Castillo: 1-4, 1 K, 1 SB

Jhonny Peralta (DH): 1-4, 1 K

Pablo Sandoval (3B): 0-4, 2 K

Bryce Brentz: 0-4, 1 K

Steve Selsky: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 K

Aneury Tavarez: 1-3, 1 SB

Hector Velazquez: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K

Ben Taylor: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K

Thursday was a great night for Velazquez, who is a couple injuries away from making another major-league start. He’ll be back at some point, though, even if it’s not this year. We’ve seen it at the highest level, and it’s even more apparent at Triple-A. As long as his command is where it needs to be, he’s just not an easy pitcher to hit.

Portland W 8-7

Danny Mars: 1-5, 1 K

Brock Holt (DH): 0-4, 1 K

Rafael Devers (3B): 0-4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Michael Chavis (PH): 0-1

Teddy Stankiewicz: 5.2 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Trevor Kelley: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Jake Cosart: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K

Portland’s Thursday night was all about the bullpen. I haven’t really discussed Kelley this year, which is a mistake on my part. The righty has spent the whole year to this point in High-A Salem and has impressed scouts along the way. His first game at Double-A wasn’t exactly dominant, but if he can get back to where he was in Salem he could move surprisingly fast. Meanwhile, Cosart has still been showing flashes this year, although his control and overall performance has been inconsistent.

Salem W 8-3

Josh Ockimey: 2-5, 1 3B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Tate Matheny: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K

Shaun Anderson: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K

Anderson continues to be just...okay since his promotion to Salem. The second-year player has allowed at least two runs in seven of his eight starts and hasn’t struck out more than four batters in any start. He’s still been solid, of course, and hasn’t blown up in many starts this year, but a small step forward in the second half would be nice to see. Meanwhile, another home run for Matheny.

Greenville PPD

Lowell PPD

GCL Red Sox L 7-8

Mario Campana: 3-5, 1 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Cole Brannen: 2-4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

DSL Red Sox W 4-2

Willis Figueroa: 3-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI

Alexander Martinez: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 SB

Gregory Santos: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K

I haven’t had a chance to talk much about the DSL team this year, mostly because I’d be lying if I said I know much about the DSL roster. With that being said, Alexander Martinez has stood out as the team’s best performer and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t come stateside soon. Through 28 games in his second run through the DSL Martinez is hitting .389/.461/.484. He also has six stolen bases in his last seven games and ten for the season.