Red Sox Minor Lines: Bryan Mata shines in Double-A debut

Pawtucket L 0-4

Tzu-Wei Lin, 2B: 0-4, 2 K

Chris Owings, SS: 2-4, 1 K, 1 CS, 1 E

Sam Travis, LF: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K

Bryce Brentz, DH: 0-4, 2 K

Rusney Castillo, RF: 0-4, 1 K

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

Kyle Hart: 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K (88 pitches)

Heath Hembree: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (16 pitches)

Tyler Thornburg: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K (28 pitches)

Bobby Poyner: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (8 pitches)

This was a tough game for the PawSox offense, who just hasn’t been able to get a whole lot going consistently of late. There was some good news in this game with the bullpen, though. Hembree had a nice start to his rehab, and all signs are pointing towards him getting back to the majors in Detroit this weekend if all continues to go well. Thornburg also was fine, though it’s not clear what the plan for him is going to be.

Portland G1 W 7-1

Jarren Duran, CF: 1-4

C.J. Chatham, SS: 2-3, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 K

Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 0-4, 1 R, 2 K

Joey Curletta, 1B: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 3 K

Jhon Nunez, C: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI

Tate Matheny, LF: 2-3, 1 R

Bryan Mata: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K (86 pitches)

Portland G2 W 1-0

Jarren Duran, CF: 0-3, 2 K

Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 0-3, 2 K

Joey Curletta, 1B: 0-3, 3 K

Daniel McGrath: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K (66 pitches)

Dedgar Jimenez: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K (31 pitches)

This was a really nice doubleheader for the Sea Dogs, but the story was clearly with the first game. Mata has been among the best performers in the Red Sox system this year as he is reestablishing himself as the top pitching option among Red Sox prospects. Tuesday was his Double-A debut, and he certainly didn’t appear to be overmatched. Mata has already had quite a bit of helium this year, and expect that to grow if he continues to pitch like this at Double-A. Also of note: Chatham left the first game with an injury after falling. Certainly something to keep an eye on there.

Salem W 11-1 (F/7)

Jagger Rusconi, LF: 2-4, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

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

Ryan Fitzgerald, SS: 1-4, 1 3B, 1 R, 2 K

Keith Curcio, RF: 4-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Marcus Wilson, CF: 1-3, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Tanner Nishioka, 2B: 2-2, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 1 CS

Nick Sciortino, C: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 3 RBI, 2 K

Dylan Thompson: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K (95 pitches)

Salem didn’t even need a full game to put the smackdown on Fayetteville, with an all-around performance from their offense that included eight extra-base hits, 14 hits total and three walks. The offense also sort of overshadows a strong performance from Thompson, an Indy League signee who has been very up and down this year.

Greenville W 10-4

Cole Brannen, CF: 2-4, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 K

Tyler Esplin, RF: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Devlin Granberg, 1B: 2-4, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 K

Tyler Dearden, DH: 1-5, 3 K

Yoan Aybar: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (24 pitches)

All but one of Greenville’s hitters had at least one hit in this game, and everyone got on base over the course of the evening. There really wasn’t a big standout performance on the night, though, with Granberg probably standing out the most. It was also another missed game from Casas, who as far as I can tell still hasn’t been placed on the IL.

Lowell W 1-0

Gilberto Jimenez, CF: 2-4, 1 SB, 1 E

Nick Decker, RF: 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K

Antoni Flores, SS: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 R

Yusniel Padron-Artilles: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K (84 pitches)

Brendan Nail: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K (31 pitches)

Lowell is known for the talent in their lineup, but it was the pitching that stood out on Tuesday. That said, they did get some contribution from their big three in the lineup in this game, with Flores scoring the game’s only run in the second and Jimenez having Lowell’s only multi-hit game. On the mound, Padron-Artilles absolutely dominated and he now has a 1.50 ERA in four starts with the Spinners with 32 strikeouts and five walks in 24 innings. Nail, meanwhile, has 22 strikeouts and four walks in 11 ²⁄₃ innings with the Spinners this year.

GCL L 3-9

Danny Diaz, 1B: 1-4

Austin Rei, DH: 0-1, 3 BB, 1 R

Daniel Bakst, 2B: 2-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 E

Matthew Lugo, SS: 2-4, 1 RBI

Aaron Perry: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K

It was a tough loss for the GCL squad, but there were still some positives here. Lugo picked up his first professional multi-hit game, Rei got on base three times in his rehab and Perry was solid in his second start. The latter did have some command issues, but all in all his return from injury is going well.

DSL 1 L 3-7

Frank Astacio, 3B: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 K

DSL 2 G1 L 1-4

Bryan Gonzalez, DH: 0-3, 1 K

Noelberth Romero, 3B: 2-2, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI

DSL 2 G2 L 3-6

Luis Mota, 2B: 2-4, 1 R, 1 K, 1 E