PawSox Notebook: Home is Where the Heart Is

Ryan L. Fox

Welcome PawSox fans of all ages to WBOB’s PawSox notebook. There’s nothing like home sweet home. This past week, the Pawtucket Red Sox played a season high 9 games at home. This also included a 2-game double-header on May 26 and the home stand will continue through Memorial Day week. So now it was the perfect time to check out the local baseball team. But if you couldn’t make it to any of the games, yours truly has got you covered.

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What’s Been Going On Lately
May 19-May 26
The PawSox continued their weekend series against the Rochester Red Wings up in Rochester, New York.

After getting shut out in the first game of the series, the PawSox took to the field for the second game on Saturday night on May 20. The Red Wings got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 4th inning thanks in part to a 2 RBI triple by Red Wings 2B Taylor Featherston to make it 2-0. A Mike Olt solo home run in the top of the 5th inning made it 2-1 but the PawSox could not add another run as they ended up dropping the second game on the final score of 2-1.
 
Things didn’t get any better the following Sunday. Although the PawSox were able to get 6 hits for the game, half of those hits came off the bat of 2B Ivan De Jesus Jr. as the team went scoreless in a 3-0 loss to the Red Wings.
 
After the series against the Red Wings, the PawSox traveled back to McCoy for their biggest home stand of the season. Up first was a 4-game series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
 
In the first game on Monday, May 21, the RailRiders jumped out to an early lead in the top of the 1st inning as they pounded starting pitcher Jaleen Beeks for 3 runs, including a home run by 1B Greg Bird. However the PawSox ended up getting 2 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning thanks to a Mike Olt home run and a RBI double by CF Cole Sturgeon. The RailRiders tacked on another run in the top of the 3rd thanks to a solo home run by LF Clint Fraizer to make it 4-2. However over the course of the game, the PawSox peppered in runs including the tying run in the bottom of the 7th and then the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 8th as they ended up winning 5-4.
 
The following Tuesday night game, there was an offensive explosion between the two teams. The RailRiders sprung out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning as both 1B Adam Lind and 2B Ray Navarro each contributed with home runs. The PawSox the countered the RailRiders’ offensive outburst first with a 3-run bottom 2nd inning as well as 2 runs in the bottom of the 3rd and 4th innings to make it 7-5. The RailRiders added a little drama in the top of the 9th inning as SS Tyler Wade hit an RBI single to left to make it 7-6 with 2 outs remaining. However the PawSox were able to escape with the victory as LF Clint Fraizer grounded out to the pitcher.
 
However the next game the following Wednesday night, there were no late inning drama. There was still offensive fireworks but it was mostly the RailRiders doing the damage. After going up 1-0 early in the game, the RailRiders chased away PawSox SP Chandler Shepherd by hammering him for 3 runs in the top of the 4th inning. They added home runs by RF Ryan McBroom in the top of the 8th inning and 1B Greg Bird to crush the PawSox on the final score of 7-1. The lone PawSox run came in the bottom of the 5th thanks in part to an RBI single by RF Aneury Tavarez.
 
The two teams then met on May 22 for a late morning/midday game for the series finale. The RailRiders were able to jump to a 3-0 lead by the 6th inning. The PawSox were able to get an RBI single by 3B Jordan Betts to make it 3-1 but that’s as far as both offenses got for the remainder of the game as the two teams ended up splitting the series.
 
Then on the Friday of Memorial day weekend, the PawSox welcome in the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs for a 5-game series, including a double-header on Saturday.
 
During the first game of the series, the PawSox jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st thanks in part to a 3-run home run by 1B Sam Travis, his 3rd home run of the year. However the Iron Pigs were able to score a whopping 4 runs in the top of the 3rd inning including a 2-run blast to center by C Logan Moore. The PawSox were able to answer back as CF Rusney Castillo hit an RBI double to make it 4-4. Then in the top of the 5th inning, the Iron Pigs pulled away with a solo home run by 1B Joey Meneses and an RBI single by Moor to make it 6-4. The PawSox had no answer and ended up dropping the series opener on the final score of 6-4.
 
Then on Saturday, it was a time of festivities as the PawSox organization inducted two more members into the team’s Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees were PawSox and Boston Red Sox CF Mike Lynn and longtime team executive Mike Tamburro.
 
During the celebration, the Iron Pigs and PawSox ended up playing a doubleheader. The first game of the doubleheader was the regular scheduled game for that day. The Iron Pigs used the long ball to do the most damage as they hit 4 home runs that game, including 2 off the bat of RF Dylan Cozens. They jumped out to an early 4-0 after the first inning as the PawSox tried to keep the pace. The home team got a run in the bottom of the 3rd and 5th inning to close the gap to 4-2. However the Iron Pigs pulled ahead with a 2-run 6th inning while the PawSox could only respond with a 1-run bottom of the 6th. Former PawSox reliever and current Iron Pigs closer Pedro Beato ended up closing the door on the PawSox as they dropped Game 1 of the doubleheader 6-3.
 
Game 2 of the doubleheader was actually a makeup game between both teams back on April 26 as it was originally postponed due to snow. Again the Iron Pigs jumped out to an early 4-0 after 3 innings thanks to the home runs by C Nick Rickles and CF Collin Cowgill. The PawSox again closed the gap in the bottom of the 4th inning with a two-run home run by 3B Ivan De Jesus Jr. to make it 4-2. But then in the top of the 7th inning, PawSox RHP Bobby Poyner gave up a 2 RBI double to 3B Mitch Walding to make it 6-2. The PawSox could not muster any late inning magic as they dropped the second game of the double header via the score 6-2.
 
Where They Stand
As of right now, the PawSox have fallen into last place the International League North with a record of 19-27 (.413). They are 8.5 games back behind the divisional leading Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, who are sitting at 28-19 (.596). They are sporting an 11-13 record at home while 8-14 on the road and have gone 2-8 in their last 10 games.
 
 In the Wild Card Standings, the PawSox are 8.0 games behind the Norfolk Tides, who currently have a record of 27-19 (.543).
 
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. 65 at-bats)
- 1B/3B Mike Olt leads the team in extra base hits (XBH) (16), runs scored (23), home runs (6), walks drawn (28), on-base percentage (OBP) (.393)*, slugging (SLG) (.487), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) (.880)*
- OF Rusney Castillo leads the team in games played (43), at-bats (179), hits (47), batting average (.296), total bases (66), strikeouts (30), and batting average (.306)*. He is tied with teammate OF Aneury Tavarez for team lead in RBIs (19) and stolen bases (5)
- Tavarez leads the team in strikeouts (41)

Start You Pitchers
(*= min. 30.0 IP)
- SP Justin Haley leads all starters in losses (6) and walks allowed (16). He is tied with teammates SP Jalen Beeks in leading all starters in appearances (9) and games started (9). Haley is also tied with teammate SP William Cuevas in leading all starters in hit batsmen (3)
- Beeks leads all starters in ERA (2.74)*, innings pitched (49.1), strikeouts (71), strikeouts per 9 innings (13.4)*, opposing batting average (.203)*, and WHIP (1.03)*. He is tied with teammate SP Chandler Shepherd in leading all starters in wins (2)
- Cuevas leads all starters in no-decisions (5)

Outta Da Pen
(*= min. 10 appearances)
- RHP Kyle Martin leads the bullpen in wins (3) and walks allowed (14)
- RHP Ryan Brasier leads the bullpen in losses (4), game appearances (17), games finished (15), and saves (4)
- LHP Robby Scott leads the bullpen in in ERA (1.62)*, WHIP (0.84)*, and opposing batting average (.177)
- RHP Brandon Workman leads the bullpen in innings pitched (25.0) and holds (4)
- RHP Ty Buttrey leads the bullpen in hit batsmen (2), strikeouts (34), and strikeouts per 9 innings (15.3)
 
Player Movement
The following team transaction took place from May 19 to May 26
 
May 21, 2018
- Received RHP Hector Velazquez from Boston (MLB) to begin 30-day MLB injury rehab assignment for lower back strain
 
May 24, 2018
- Sent RHP Hector Velazquez to Boston (MLB) after completion of MLB injury rehab assignment
 
May 25, 2018
- Sent 2B Dustin Pedroia to Boston (MLB) after completion of MLB injury rehab assignment
- Sent RHP Tyler Thornburg to Boston (MLB) after completion of MLB injury rehab assignment but will remain on the Red Sox disabled list
 
May 26, 2018
- Sent LHP Josh Smith to Portland (AA)
- Received RHP Bobby Poyner from Boston (MLB) after he was optioned to Pawtucket back on May 24
 
Rehab Watch
Currently With Pawtucket
As of right now, there is only one Boston Red Sox player on the current PawSox roster for a rehab assignment.
 
- Red Sox RHP Austin Maddox is still currently on a rehab assignment with the PawSox. Maddox joined the team back on May 18 for a rehab assignment for Boston as he was recovering from a right shoulder strain injury. In 3 appearances with the PawSox, Maddox has pitched in 3.2 innings of work and has accumulated a record of 1-0 with an ERA of 4.91, a WHIP of 2.45, and opposing batters are hitting .267 against him. He has also given up 3 hits, 2 runs (all earned), walking 4 batters, and striking out 5 more on  91 pitches with 51 being for strikes.
 
- Earlier in the week, the PawSox received RHP Hector Velazquez from Boston on a quick rehab assignment. Hector suffered a lower back strain back earlier in May and was placed on the disabled list back on May 14. He reported to Pawtucket on May 21 before appearing in one rehab game against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders that same day. He ended up pitching in just 1 inning, facing 3 batters while striking out 1 and not allowing a hit or a run. Then on May 24, he was called back up to Boston.
 
- Also previously with the PawSox was 2B Dustin Pedroia as he was rehabbing from offseason cartilage restoration surgery in his left knee. He appeared in 5 games with the PawSox, going 1-for-14 with 3 walks drawn. He was called back up into Boston on May 25.
 
- RHP Tyler Thornburg was also with the PawSox from May 14 to May 26 in his second rehab stint with the team before then being recalled back to Boston.
 
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)
 
Upcoming Games
The PawSox will be continuing their Memorial Day weekend series against the Lehigh Valley at McCoy with a Sunday day game on May 27 at 1:35 p.m. EST and then a 1:35 p.m. EST the following Monday on Memorial Day (May 28).
 
After which, the PawSox will be spending the last few days of May as well as the first few days of June on the road.
 
From May 29 to May 31, the team will be down in Norfolk, Virginia, to take on the Norfolk Tides for the first meeting of the season between the two teams. Last year, the PawSox went 2-1 against the Tides in Norfolk.
 
Then the team will travel to Durham, North Carolina, for the first meeting of the season with the Durham Bulls from June 1 to June 3. Last year, the PawSox ended up going 1-2 against the Bulls down in Durham.

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