Red Sox Minor Lines: Travis Lakins is taking to his new role

Pawtucket L 3-5

Ivan De Jesus, 2B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Rusney Castillo, DH: 1-4, 1 K, 1 CS

Sam Travis, LF: 2-4, 2 K

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

Chandler Shepherd: 2.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (73 pitches)

Robby Scott: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (17 pitches)

It was a rough one for Sheperd on Saturday, one of his first rough ones in quite some time. This is the first time the righty didn’t make it through at least five since May 23, and the first time he allowed at least four runs in that same span. It seems he was hurt by his defense in this game, but I would bet that wasn’t the only issue. One bad start doesn’t mean much, of course. It’ll be how he recovers that really matters.

Portland L 4-8 (F/10)

Jeremy Rivea, SS: 0-5

Chad De La Guerra, 2B: 2-4, 1 3B, 1 BB, 1 RBI, 1 K

Josh Ockimey, DH: 0-4, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 K

Jordan Betts, 3B: 1-3, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 RBI

Teddy Stankiewicz: 5 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (86 pitches)

Travis Lakins: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 (8 pitches)

Another day, another strong showing out of the bullpen by Lakins. He’s now made eight relief appearances since making the transition to his new role, and he has yet to allow an earned run. He also has at least one strikeout in each of his outings. If this keeps up he’ll be getting a chance at Triple-A at some point this summer.

Salem W 7-6

Santiago Espinal, 3B: 2-5, 1 K, 1 R

Brett Netzer, 2B: 1-5, 1 2B, 2 K

C.J. Chatham, SS: 2-5, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 E

Bobby Dalbec, DH: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K

Chris Madera, CF: 3-3, 1 2B, 2 BB, 2 R

Trenton Kemp, RF: 2-3, 1 2B, 2 BB, 3 RBI

Daniel Gonzalez: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K (99 pitches)

We haven’t talked a ton about Chatham of late, but he’s still a relatively important piece in this organization. He hit a bit of a snag recently before this game, but after this multi-hit performance he has his batting average up to .297 with a .344 OBP. The power isn’t there, but he’s getting on base and is playing in the field at least a little bit. This is someone we theorized they’d rush along this year, and he’s holding up relatively well.

Greenville L 3-4 (F/10)

Lorenzo Cedrola, CF: 1-5, 1 SB

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

Pedro Castellanos, 1B: 2-4, 1 R

Tanner Nishioka, 3B: 2-4, 1 R, 1 K, 1 CS

Isaias Lucena, C: 3-3, 2 RBI

Jhonathan Diaz: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 K (84 pitches)

It’s quietly been a very good season for Diaz this year, who has had the misfortune of spending most of the year in a rotation with Kutter Crawford and Denyi Reyes, two of the best performing pitchers in the entire farm system this season. Diaz has a 3.84 ERA over 13 starts with Greenville this year, striking out 73 batters in 72 ²⁄₃ innings with just 20 walks.

Lowell L 2-8

Jarren Duran, 2B: 1-4

Cole Brannen, CF: 0-2, 1 BB, 2 K

Kole Cottam, C: 0-4, 3 K

Tyler Esplin, LF: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K

Ramfis Berroa, DH: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Brannen had gotten off to a nice little start with the Spinners, but he’s hitting a big of a wall of late and still isn’t hitting for any power. He still has a solid .350 OBP, but he’s yet to hit an extra-base hit. The hope was that Brannen would force his way to Greenville at some point before the end of the year, but that may not end up being the case.

GCL W 3-1

Juan Carlos Abreu, LF: 1-4, 1 3B, 1 R, 1 K

Freiberg Marin, SS: 2-2, 1 R, 1 SB, 1 CS

Rayniel Adames: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K

A day after making his professional debut, Triston Casas is out of the lineup on Saturday. That’s because he was busy hitting dingers during batting practice at Fenway. He should rejoin the GCL next week.

DSL 1 L 3-4

Gilberto Jimenez, CF: 2-4, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 CS

Ceddanne Rafaela, SS: 1-1, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI

Brandon Rincones, 1-1, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 SB

DSL 2 W 6-2

Angel Gonzalez, LF: 3-5, 1 3B, 3 R, 2 K, 1 CS

Nelfy Abreu, CF: 0-3, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Danny Diaz, 3B: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 3 RBI

Kleiber Rodriguez, 1B: 2-4, 2 RBI

Diaz has shown big power to start his professional career and generally things have been encouraging. He hasn’t, however, shown much in the way of on-base skills. This game was a nice step in the right direction.

Player of the Day: There was no real standout here, though there were a few really impressive days. Chris Madera was close, but Ceddanne Rafaela gets the nod here. The infielder is not a high-profile player, but he’s impressing in 2018. After reaching base all three times on Saturday including a home run, he’s up to a .793 OPS to start his professional career. He’s at least worth monitoring moving forward.