Red Sox Minor Lines: Rain rain go away

Pawtucket PPD

Portland PPD

Salem L 0-5

Santiago Espinal, SS: 1-4

Brett Netzer, 2B: 0-4, 1 K

Chris Madera, CF: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 SB

Trenton Kemp, RF: 1-3, 1 K

Bryan Mata: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 6 BB, 2 K (77 pitches)

Daniel Gonzalez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (13 pitches)

Salem was the only Red Sox minor-league squad that managed to get their game in on Sunday, and it did not go so well. Mata took the mound for his second start of the year and he didn’t quite show the command that made him so impressive as an 18-year-old in Low-A. It was a bit of an issue for him in his first start, too, though not nearly to the same extent. Still, through all 17 of his starts last season he walked more than two batters in just one outing. In 2018, he’s already done it twice. There’s clearly some adjustment here, but that’s not necessarily a surprise for a pitcher in High-A who doesn’t even turn 19 for another few weeks. Out of the bullpen, Gonzalez had yet another strong outing, this time in a short stint. I’m still fascinated by him and my intrigue is only growing.

Greenville PPD

Player of the Day: Errrrr....I guess if I have to give this out I’d give it to Chris Madera. The outfielder didn’t necessarily have a great game, but there wasn’t really much competition. That said, he did get on base twice and steal a base, and over his last five games he is 7-18 with a home run, 3 RBI, 4 runs scored and a couple stolen bases. The 25-year-old isn’t really a prospect, but it’s a solid run and this is a nice time to spotlight an organizational player like that.