PawSox Notebook: Over the Hump

Ryan L. Fox

Welcome PawSox fans of all ages to WBOB’s PawSox Notebook. The last time the Pawtucket Red Sox were at the .500 mark was back on May 11 when they beat the Syracuse Chiefs 12-2 to go 16-16 (.500) at the time. Since then, they have spent nearly 2 months floating below it. But after this week, it seems that their fortunes have turned around and the team has climbed within a hair of that .500 mark that’s been eluding them this season.

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What’s Been Going On Lately
June 17 – June 23
The PawSox began the week down in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as they were finishing up their 3-game weekend series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
 
The PawSox first got on the board in the 5th inning thanks to a costly error by IronPigs 2B Alexi Amarista trying to get PawSox DH Adam Lind at first base, which allowed CF Rusney Castillo to score. However in the bottom of the 7th inning, the IronPigs were able to score 3 runs against rehabbing pitcher RHP Tyler Thornburg, including a 2-run home run by IronPigs RF Matt McBride, to go up 3-1. The PawSox rallied in the top of the 9th inning, getting an RBI single up C Dan Butler to make it 3-2. After loading up the bases, the PawSox were poised for a big inning. However IronPigs LHP Tom Windle came into the game and got the next three batters out to preserve a 3-2 victory for his team.
 
After a day off on Monday, the PawSox began a midweek series against the Buffalo Bisons at McCoy Stadium.
 
The PawSox and Bisons began the midweek series with a double-header on Tuesday.
 
In Game 1, the Bisons jumped all over on PawSox starter LHP Jalen Beeks. They scored 3 runs in the inning with all 3 runs comings off a 3-run home run by Bisons LF Steven Pearce. The Bisons scored another run in the top 3rd inning to make it 4-0 while starter LHP Ryan Borucki went the full 7-innings, limiting the PawSox to just 3 hits and no runs scored to help his team win by the final score of 4-0.
 
In Game 2, the roles were reversed. This time it was the PawSox who jumped out to an early lead in the bottom 1st inning thanks to an RBI single by DH Adam Lind to make it 1-0. Following that in bottom 2nd inning, the PawSox tacked on 2 more runs thanks to a 2 RBI single by CF Rusney Castillo to make it 3-0. Then in the bottom 4th inning, the PawSox scored 3 runs, with 2 runs coming off a homerun by SS Tzu-Wei Lin to push the lead to 6-0. The PawSox pitching combination of RHP Fernando Rodriguez Jr.-LHP Williams Jerez-RHP Ryan Brasier limited the Bisons batters to just 4 hits for the entire game as the PawSox won 6-0.
 
On Wednesday, the PawSox offensive display continued. The ball got rolling in the first inning with a solo home run by LF Aneury Tavarez to make it 1-0. The PawSox ended up getting 2 more RBIs by 3B Ivan De Jesus Jr. and C Oscar Hernandez to go up 3-0 early. An RBI single by 1B Adam Lind in the bottom 2nd and CF Rusney Castillo in the bottom 3rd innings pushed the lead to 5-0. After the bottom 4th inning, the PawSox scored 5 runs over the next 3 innings to go up by a whopping 10-0. PawSox starter LHP Josh Smith held the Bisons to just 1 hit and no runs over 6 innings of play. Then in the 7th inning, the PawSox decided to go with RHP Josh Smith for the remainder of the game as he held the Bisons scoreless up until the 9th inning. There, Bisons C Danny Jansen knocked out a 2-run home run to make it 10-2, avoiding the shut out. However that’s all they could muster up as the PawSox won on the final score of 10-2.
 
The final game of the series took place on Thursday as both teams opened up by scoring a run in the 1st inning to be at a 1-1 tie. Three innings later, the PawSox broke the tie thanks in part to a solo home run by 1B Mike Ohlman, his 8th on the year, to go up 2-1. The PawSox got two more runs the following inning thanks to RBIs by LF Sam Travis and 2B Ivan De Jesus Jr. to go up 4-1. Back from his stint in the bigs, PawSox starter RHP Justin Haley limited the Bisons to just 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2 batters in 5 innings of work. The PawSox bullpen did work as well, limiting the Bisons to just 2 hits over the course of 4 innings at the PawSox won the game 4-1.
 
After the Bisons, the PawSox then welcomed the Syracuse Chiefs to McCoy to begin a 3-game weekend series.
 
The first game of the series took place on Friday night. The PawSox got the early 1-0 lead in the bottom 2nd inning thanks in part to a sacrifice fly by RF Cole Sturgeon. However the Chiefs tied the with a solo home run by LF Yadiel Hernandez in the top 3rd inning and then took the lead in the top 4th inning thanks to RBIs by 1B Jose Marmolejos and RF Moises Sierra to go up 3-1. The PawSox answered back in the bottom 4th inning with 2 runs of their own thanks to RBIs by C Dan Butler and 2B Mike Miller as the game entered a 3-3 tie. The PawSox regained the lead in the bottom 6th inning thanks in part to a 2 RBI single by SS Tzu-Wei Lin as the score was 5-3. The Chiefs inched closer in the top 8th inning with an RBI double by C Raudy Read to make it 5-4. They then got a man on first to start the top 9th inning as they were poised for a late inning rally. However a fly out and then a double-play sealed their fate as the PawSox won the first game of the series, 5-4.
 
The two teams then meet up on a cold and balmy Saturday evening. The Chiefs first got on the board thanks to a 2-run home run by SS Adrian Sanchez to get the early 2-0 lead. Later on in the inning, a costly error by PawSox 1B Mike Ohlman allowed another Chiefs run to cross the plate to make it 3-0. The next inning, the PawSox commit another error. This time it was 3B Mike Olt as he bobbled the ball in his hand as that allowed Chiefs LF Yadiel Hernandez to score from third to make it 4-0.
 
The PawSox were able to cut into the lead thanks to solo home runs by 3B Mike Olt in the 2nd inning and 2B Ivan De Jesus Jr. in the 3rd inning to make it 4-2. Then in the bottom 4th inning, the PawSox were able to load up the bases. However they could only manage just one run with the golden opportunity to make it 4-3. Two innings later, the Chiefs got a solo home run by Hernandez to push the lead to 5-3.
 
The PawSox tried to rally and comeback for the rest of the game. However they ended up stranding a man in scoring position in the bottom 7th inning and left the bases loaded in the bottom 8th. They had one last chance to tie the game in the bottom 9th inning but with a man on second, CF Aneury Tavarez struck out to end the game as the Chiefs held on to win by the final score of 5-3.
 
Where They Stand
As of right now, the PawSox are in 3rd place in the International League North with a record of 36-37 (.493). They are 6.5 games back the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, who are sitting at 43-31 (.581). They are sporting a 20-18 record at home while 17-20 on the road and have gone 5-5 in their last 10 games.
 
 In the Wild Card Standings, the PawSox are 4.0 games behind the Indianapolis Indians, who have a 39-32 (.552) record.
 
Just the Stats Jack
The following statistics are from players currently playing on the PawSox Triple-A squad as of 4/21. This excludes players who were called up, traded, currently on the disabled list, or currently on the temporary inactive list.
 
At the Plate
(*=min. 100 at-bats)
- 1B/3B Mike Olt leads the team in home runs (9), walks drawn (40), strikeouts (62), on-base percentage (OBP) (.390)*, slugging (SLG) (.471), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (.861)*
- OF Rusney Castillo leads the team in games played (68), at-bats (280), runs scored (35), hits (89), extra base hits (23), RBIs (36), total bases (120) batting average (.318)*, total bases (75), and RBIs (24). He is also tied with teammate OF Aneury Tavarez for team lead in stolen bases (7)
 
Start You Pitchers
(*= min. 45.0 IP)
- SP William Cuevas leads all starters in wins (5), innings pitched (80.0), and walks allowed (23). He is tied with teammate SP Chandler Shepherd in leading all starters in game starts (14), hit batsmen (4), and no decisions (5). Both Cuevas and Shepherd are tied with teammate SP Josh D. Smith in leading all starters in game appearances (14)
- Smith leads all starters in ERA (2.51)*. He is tied with teammate SP Jalen Beeks in leading all starters in opposing batting average (.206).
- Beeks leads all starters in strikeouts (94), WHIP (1.03), and strikeouts per 9 innings (12.4)
- SP Justin Haley leads all starters in losses (6)
 
Outta Da Pen
(*= min. 14 appearances)
- RHP Kyle Martin leads the bullpen in wins (3), walks allowed (20), and innings pitched (38.2). He is also tied with teammate RHP Ty Buttrey for bullpen lead in hit batsmen (2)
- Buttrey leads the bullpen in strikeouts (51) and strikeouts per 9 innings (14.3). He is also tied with teammates LHP Bobby Poyner, LHP Robby Scott, and LHP Williams Jerez for bullpen lead in holds (4)
- Poyner leads the bullpen in opposing batting average (.164)*. He is also tied with teammate RHP Ryan Brasier for bullpen lead in WHIP (0.94)
- Braiser leads the bullpen in losses (4), ERA (1.54), game appearances (28), games finished (26) and saves (10)
 
Player Movement
The following team transaction took place from June 10 to June 23
 
June 10, 2018
- Sent RHP Teddy Stankiewicz to Portland (AA)
- Received LHP Jalen Beeks from Boston (MLB)
 
June 12, 2018
- Sent INF Jordan Betts to Portland (AA)
- Received 1B/OF Sam Travis from Boston (MLB)
 
June 19, 2018
- Sent RHP Robby Scott to Boston (MLB)
 
June 21, 2018
- Received SP Justin Haley from Boston (MLB) after he was optioned on June 19
 
June 23, 2018
- Sent SS/Util. Tzu-Wei Lin to Boston (MLB)
                                                                                          
Rehab Watch
Currently With Pawtucket
As of right now, there is one Boston Red Sox players rehabbing down in Pawtucket at this moment.
 
Boston Red Sox RHP Tyler Thornburg is still continuing his rehab assignment with the PawSox
 
His most recent game was back on June 21 at home against the Buffalo Bisons. In that game, he came in to pitch the 6th inning after SP Justin Haley’s night was done. He faced 4 batters, giving up 0 hits, 0 walks, hit one batter, but didn’t allow a run and induced 2 fly outs and one ground out.
 
Up to now, Thornburg has appeared in 13 games, including 1 start, over the course of his rehab stints with the PawSox. He has pitched in a total of 10.2 innings where he has allowed 10 hits, 6 runs (5 were earned), hit 1 batter, walked 6 more, and struck out 11 others. He also currently has an ERA of 4.22, a WHIP of 1.32, has held batters to a .227 batting average, has a K/9 of 9.7, and 4 holds to his name.
 
Previously Rehab Stints with Pawtucket
- SP Drew Pomeranz (April 8 - April 10)
- SS Xander Bogaerts (April 24 - April 27)
- RHP Tyler Thornburg (April 30 - May 7) (May 16 – May 24)
- INF/OF Brock Holt (May 7 - May 8)
- 2B Dustin Pedroia (May 14 – May 25)
- RHP Hector Velazquez (May 21 – May 24)
- RHP Austin Maddox (May 18 – May 30) (June 2 – June 5)
 
Upcoming Games
The PawSox will finish their weekend series against the Syracuse Chiefs with a Sunday matinee game at 1:35 p.m.
 
After which, they will have a 7-game road trip through the great Mid-Atlantic from June 25 to June 24.
 
From June 25 to June 28, the PawSox will head to Buffalo, New York, for 4-game midweek series against the Buffalo Bisons. The last time that these two teams played in Buffalo was back on April 27-29 as the PawSox won 2 out of the 3 games in that series. Currently, the PawSox lead the season series 7-5, including going 2-1 in Buffalo.
 
After that series, the PawSox will travel down to Moosic, Pennsylvania for 3-game weekend series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders from June 29 to July 1. The last time these two teams down in Moosic was back on May 3-4. It was a quick two-game series as the two teams ended up splitting. Currently, the PawSox lead the seasons series 5-3, including going 1-1 in Moosic.

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