Red Sox Minor Lines: Bobby Dalbec hits two dingers

Pawtucket L 1-5

Gorkys Hernández, CF: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K

Chris Owings, SS: 1-4

Bryce Brentz, DH: 1-3

Rusney Castillo, RF: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 R

Josh Ockimey, 1B: 0-3, 1 K

Erasmo Ramírez: 6 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K (98 pitches)

Travis Lakins: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (16 pitches)

It was a tough day for the Pawtucket offense on Monday, as they managed just three hits, a double and a walk to score just the single run. The pitching, meanwhile, wasn’t all that impressive either. Ramírez has been sticking around all year in the bullpen, and one has to wonder if he’s a candidate to take over that fifth rotation spot now that Eovaldi is not going to come back to fill it. Ramírez would not be a very exciting option, of course, but he had an opt-out at the end of June and stuck around. Perhaps he knew something we did not. Or, perhaps more likely, I’m reading into something that’s not there.

Portland W 7-1

Jarren Duran, CF: 2-4, 1 R, 2 K, 2 SB

C.J. Chatham, SS: 2-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 K

Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 2-4, 2 HR, 1 BB, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1 K

Joey Curletta, 1B: 1-3, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Jhon Nunez, C: 2-4

Tanner Houck: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (97 pitches)

There were two big standouts in this game that we could potentially see later in the year if things continue to go well. Dalbec has been showing off the power all year, and after a bit of a slump in that department he has hit three homers over his last two games. Between this year and last year the third baseman has 366 at bats in Portland, and he’s probably nearing a promotion to Pawtucket. I’d guess that’ll come after next week’s Double-A All-Star Game. Once he gets to Triple-A, things can start to move very quickly. Houck, meanwhile, has been speculated to take Eovaldi’s rotation spot as well. That would make very little sense to me and he does not appear to be ready for that kind of role. I don’t see him in the majors this year, but I also didn’t see Eovaldi moving to the bullpen. So what do I know, ya know?

Salem W 9-3

Jagger Rusconi, 2B: 1-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 K

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

Ryan Fitzgerald, SS/1B: 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Keith Curcio, CF: 2-4

Marcus Wilson, LF: 2-4, 1 RBI, 2 K

Samuel Miranda, C: 2-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K

Nick Lovullo, 3B: 2-4, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Jhonathan Diaz: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K (96 pitches)

Zach Schellenger: 0.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 0 K (30 pitches)

It was a big day for bit players on the Salem roster, as the bigger names — Castellanos, Fitzgerald and Wilson — took a bit of a step back. Instead, it was three non-prospects going deep and Diaz tossing a phenomenal game. The lefty has not had a good year, and even after this great outing he has a 5.50 ERA. There’s not much else to say here. Good game, but not really much to look forward to.

Greenville L 0-6

Tyler Esplin, RF: 2-4, 1 K

Devlin Granberg, 1B: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 K

Brandon Howlett, DH: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 K

Tyler Dearden, LF: 0-4, 4 K

A tough day for the Greenville offense, who did get another extra base hit from Howlett, who also got on base a couple times. It was obviously a terrible start to the year to last year’s breakout, but he has turned it on in a big way since then. He’s up to a .748 OPS on the year. The other note from this game: It’s a third straight absence from Triston Casas. Still no updates on that front.

Lowell W 7-1

Joe Davis, 1B: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI

Nicholas Northcut, 3B: 0-4

Nick Decker, CF: 2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB

Antoni Flores, SS: 1-3, 1 BB

Bryan Lucas: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K (72 pitches)

It was quite the day for Davis, who was the team’s 19th round pick out of Houston in this year’s draft. He broke the 0-0 tie with a big three-run home run and eventually knocking in two more with a double. It was also interesting to see Decker play center field. He has been mostly in the corners this season for Lowell, and that is presumably the plan going forward given Gilberto Jimenez’ presence. Decker was a center fielder in high school, though few if any people see that as a realistic option moving forward. On the mound, Lucas has been phenomenal in his first three starts. After this one, he has a 0.63 ERA over 14 ¹⁄₃ innings with 15 strikeouts and six walks.

GCL L 4-7

Danny Diaz, 3B: 1-4, 2 R, 1 K

Trey Ball, DH: 0-3, 2 RBI, 2 K

Matthew Lugo, SS: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 K

I’ve got nothing on this one.

DSL 1 W 11-5

Brainer Bonaci, 3B: 2-4, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 1 K

Eduardo Lopez, CF: 0-4, 1 BB

Eduardo Vaughan, RF: 2-3, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 SB

Erick Flores, C: 2-2, 2 BB, 3 R, 1 RBI

DSL 2 L 2-8

Angeudis Santos, SS: 2-5, 1 K

Bryan Gonzalez, DH: 0-3, 1 RBI, 1 K

I also have nothing here besides to say that today is July 2. This means we will start to learn the guys to pay attention for next year’s DSL squads.