Red Sox Minor Lines: Nick Yorke keeps raking

Worcester L 1-9

Yairo Muñoz, SS: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 E

Delino DeShields, LF: 0-4, 3 K

Josh Ockimey, 1B: 1-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Connor Wong, C: 3-4, 1 K, 1 SB

Jeter Downs, 2B: 0-4, 2 K

Kyle Hart (SP; L): 3.1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K (60 pitches)

Zack Kelly: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (31 pitches)

Ryan Brasier: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 0 K (12 pitches)

Jose Adames: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K (31 pitches)

Álex Claudio: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K (34 pitches)

The big-league team wasn’t the only one getting beat around by a Yankees team on Wednesday, with Worcester also losing to New York’s Triple-A affiliate. The pitching just was terrible in this one, and that includes Brasier. The righty is supposed to pitch tomorrow to get a back-to-back under his belt (though rain is expected, so that could be iffy) before he gets up to the majors. It’s been a rough rehab stint for Brasier, who has a 24.55 ERA (not a typo) and has allowed runs in three of his four appearances. More positively, it was a nice day for Wong and Muñoz started a new hit streak.

Portland L 2-5

Pedro Castellanos, RF: 0-3

Tyreque Reed, LF: 0-1

Triston Casas, 1B: 1-3, 1 BB

Ronaldo Hernández, C: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Hudson Potts, 3B: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 2 K, 1 E

Devlin Granberg, LF/RF: 0-3, 1 K

Jeisson Rosario, CF: 1-4, 1 RBI, 2 K, 1 E

Cameron Cannon, 2B: 0-3, 1 K, 1 E

Frank German (SP; L): 4 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 4 K (67 pitches)

Joan Martinez: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K (16 pitches)

Hernández came into this season looking like a steal for the Red Sox in an offseason deal with the Rays, but he struggled for the first couple months of the season. But since July, he has really turned things around. He had a monster month of July, and while he’s taken a step back in August in terms of OBP, the power has still been present, with his ISO this month up over .200. As a bat-first catcher he needs to find a way to get on base more, but the power will play. As for German, his command just hasn’t been consistent enough this season. This time it was the long ball as he allowed two homers on the day. He should be converted to relief by the time next season begins.

Greenville G1 W 8-1

Christian Koss, SS: 1-3, 1 BB 1 R

Nick Sogard, 2B: 2-4, 1 HR, 1 R, 4 RBI, 1 CS

Tyler Dearden, LF: 1-4, 2 K

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 0-3, 1 BB

Joe Davis, DH: 1-4, 1 K

Stephen Scott, 1B: 1-4, 2 R, 3 K

Elih Marrero, C: 2-2, 3 RBI, 1 CS

Jay Groome (SP; W): 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K (81 pitches)

Greenville G2 W 1-0

Christian Koss, SS: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 K

Stephen Scott, 1B: 1-3, 1 RBI

Brandon Howlett, 3B: 1-3, 1 2B

Jose Espada (SP): 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 K (54 pitches)

Brendan Cellucci: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (18 pitches)

Brendan Nail (W): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K (27 pitches)

It was all about the pitching in this doubleheader sweep for the Drive, and really it was all about Jay Groome. In a season filled with breakouts, it’s hard to stand out too much for just having a solid year, and that’s what Groome has had. That is certainly not meant as an insult, as merely staying healthy was the bar for him. And while there has been some inconsistency early in the year, the results have been good, especially of late. Going back to the start of July he’s got 39 strikeouts and seven walks over 29 ²⁄₃ innings of work. We said this after his last start as well, but he really should get a taste of Double-A at some point before this season is out.

Salem L 4-8

Nick Yorke, 2B: 3-4, 1 3B, 3 R

Gilberto Jimenez, CF: 2-4, 2 3B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Matthew Lugo, SS: 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 K

Ceddanne Rafaela, LF: 1-4, 1 CS

Nick Decker, RF: 2-4, 1 RBI

Nicholas Northcut, 1B: 0-4, 1 K

Antoni Flores, 3B: 0-4, 1 K

Jorge Rodriguez (SP): 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K (76 pitches)

Although this was a loss for Salem, it actually seems like a positive for the system given the performance of those top two hitters. Yorke continues to just be scorching hot, to the point where a promotion seems less crazy by the day. He’s now up to an .891 OPS on the season, and that is after posting a mark of .484 through May. Jimenez, meanwhile, hasn’t been on the same level as Yorke, but he’s still been plenty impressive. His two triples here show off the athleticism (as well, perhaps, as shaky low-minors defense) and he’s up to a .750 OPS on the year.

DSL Red L 4-9

Miguel Bleis, CF: 0-4, 2 K

Enderso Lira, C: 0-4, 1 K, 1 E

Luis Ravelo, SS: 2-4, 1 R, 1 E

Jose Ramirez (SP): 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

DSL Blue W 5-4

Juan Chacon, CF: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K

Lyonell James, 3B: 2-3, 1 3B, 1 BB, 3 R, 1 RBI

Ronny Ramirez, LF: 2-4, 2 2B

Yordanny Monegro (SP): 3 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K

The Blue squad was the one to actually grab the win in this game, and James continues to have a big season, with his OPS climbing to .850. And if you’re wondering how a pitcher allows two runs while walking no one and not allowing a hit, you do it with three balks. At least that’s how Monegro did it. On the other side, Ravelo is getting hot. Seen more as a defensive shortstop, he’s been swinging a hot bat of late. He has multiple hits in three of his last four games, and he’s hitting .364 in August. Ramirez, meanwhile, has a 0.41 ERA on the season.

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Player of the Day: Lyonell James

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