Red Sox Minor Lines: Michael Chavis homers twice for Worcester

Worcester W 10-6

Jarren Duran, CF: 1-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

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

Franchy Cordero, LF: 1-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 4 K

Michael Chavis, 1B: 3-4, 2 HR, 1 BB, 3 R, 2 RBI

Jeter Downs, SS: 4-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB, 1 E

Yairo Muñoz, 3B: 0-5, 1 K

Chris Hermann, C: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Jonathan Araúz, 2B: 2-5, 1 HR, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 K

Daniel Gossett (SP): 3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K (75 pitches)

Kevin McCarthy (H): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (30 pitches)

Phillips Valdez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (11 pitches)

Brandon Brennan: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (9 pitches)

There has been a lot of understandable focus on whether or not it is time to call up either (or both) Jarren Duran or Franchy Cordero. But it is kind of obfuscating the run that Chavis has been on, making a case of his own to be right back up in the majors. He was up more recently and would need someone to get hurt in front of him, but just generally he’s swinging like a guy who should be up in the bigs. He now has five homers over his last nine games. Downs has also been swinging a hot bat, turning things around after a bit of a slow start to his season.

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Greenville L 1-9

Christian Koss, SS: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 CS

Cameron Cannon, 2B: 0-4

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Brian Van Belle (SP): 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 6 K (69 pitches)

Jacob Wallace (L): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 2 K (28 pitches)

Overall this was not a good game for the Drive, but one of their best hitters was able to get it done yet again. We’ve talked a lot about Howlett this season, but he continues to stand out in this lineup, with the power in particular showing up of late. This is his third home run in as many games, and six of his seven home runs this season have come over the last 13 games. On a more negative note, Wallace continues to struggle mightily in his first season with the organization. Relievers can have their season turn on a dime, but so far the righty has an 8.66 ERA over 17 ²⁄₃ innings with 24 strikeouts and 13 walks to go with six hit batters and four homers. Clearly, command has been an issue.

Salem W 9-8 (F/11)

Nick Yorke, 2B: 3-6, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 2 K

Gilberto Jimenez, LF: 2-6, 1 R, 2 K

Matthew Lugo, SS: 2-4, 2 BB, 2 R, 1 SB

Jaxx Groshans, DH: 2-4, 2 BB, 1 R, 1 K

Stephen Scott, C: 2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Eduardo Lopez, RF: 0-3, 3 BB, 1 RBI, 1 K

Ceddanne Rafaela, CF: 1-5, 1 2B, 3 R, 2 K, 1 SB

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

Ryan Zeferjahn (SP): 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K (74 pitches)

The Salem offense hasn’t always been clicking on all cylinders this year, but we’re starting to see some guys in this lineup pick things up. Yorke was struggling mightily over the first four weeks or so of the season, but he’s been an on-base machine of late, to the point where he’s now leading off. Behind him, Jimenez is getting back on track after a little bit of a slump recently, and Lugo is still searching for some momentum. These are young and raw players so ups and downs are to be expected, but it’s nice when it actually comes to fruition.

Player of the Day: Michael Chavis

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