Red Sox Minor Lines: Jalen Beeks does it again

Pawtucket W 4-3

Tzu-Wei Lin, SS: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Cole Sturgeon, RF: 1-3, 2 BB

Rusney Castillo, CF: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI

Sam Travis, LF: 0-4, 3 K

Mike Olt, 3B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 E

Mike Miller, 2B: 2-4, 1 R, 1 CS

Jalen Beeks: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K (97 pitches)

Williams Jerez: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 2 K (30 pitches)

Another day, another great performance from Beeks down in Pawtucket. There was obviously plenty of reason to be excited about the young lefty heading into the season, but he’s clearly exceeded the expectations of even those of us who were highest on him this spring. Now ten starts into his season, he’s pitched to a 2.56 ERA over 56 ¹⁄₃ innings with 80 strikeouts (!) and just 14 walks. On offense, Lin was the standout performer and he’s really just biding his time for whenever the big-league team needs another body.

Portland W 12-9 (F/10)

Jeremy Rivera, SS: 3-6, 1 2B, 3 R, 4 RBI, 1 K

Deiner Lopez, 3B: 2-4, 1 R

Chad De La Guerra, DH: 1-5, 1 BB, 3 K

Josh Ockimey, 1B: 1-3, 1 BB, 3 RBI, 2 K

Tate Matheny, CF: 2-6, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 K

Jhon Nunez, C: 3-5, 2 R

Danny Mars, RF: 2-3, 1 BB, 3 R

Dedgar Jimenez: 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K (83 pitches)

Travis Lakins: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K (18 pitches)

The offense was clearly the story for this game with big days up and down the lineup highlighted by Rivera’s strong performance. The most interesting nugget to me, however, is Lakins coming out of the bullpen. It’s unclear whether or not this is a permanent change or just out of necessity, but all of his starts prior to this have been very short. His talent is intriguing as a starter, but if they don’t think he can hold up in this role he could thrive in short stints in relief.

Salem G1 W 2-0

Santiago Espinal, SS: 1-3

Brett Netzer, 2B: 0-3, 1 K

C.J. Chatham, DH: 1-3, 1 R, 1 K

Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI

Tyler Hill, RF: 0-1, 1 BB

Darwinzon Hernandez: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (32 pitches)

Daniel Gonzalez: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (45 pitches)

Salem G2 W 10-8

Tyler Hill, RF: 2-4, 1 R

Jordan Wren, LF: 1-2, 1 BB, 3 R, 1 E

Roldani Baldwin, DH: 3-3, 1 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI

C.J. Chatham, SS: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 2-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 5 RBI, 1 SB

Tanner Houck: 3.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K (79 pitches)

That first game was the resumption of a suspended game, which is why Hernandez only tossed three innings. It obviously wasn’t a full outing, but it was encouraging all the same. There weren’t any strikeouts, but command has been his biggest issue and he didn’t walk anyone. That’s progress! The second game was all about the offense, as Baldwin stayed hot at the plate and Dalbec went deep without striking out. Unfortunately, that one also featured another disappointing outing from Houck, who does not seem to be responding well early on to his delivery changes.

Greenville L 2-9

Lorenzo Cedrola, CF: 2-5

Victor Acosta, RF: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

Jhonathan Diaz: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 8 K (89 pitches)

Things don’t seem to be turning around very quickly at all for the Drive, and it’s probably going to be like this all year. With each passing day Acosta seems to be the most intriguing position player on this roster, which certainly says more about the roster than it does Acosta. That being said, he’s been making good contact a lot of late.

Player of the Day: It’s gotta be Beeks, who has probably been the Player of the Season two months into the year. The lefty has pitched well enough that many are calling for him to jump Steven Wright, Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez on the depth chart. I’m still not sure how likely that is, but it’s getting really hard to argue against it. He’ll get his shot soon enough, and if Drew Pomeranz doesn’t totally turn it around quickly it could be sooner rather than later.