MINOR LINES 5/5/24: BOBBY DALBEC, QUAD-A EXTRAORDINARY

For the first time in a week, the Red Sox went yard — and they left the ballpark twice! After some days recently where the bats have left them liable, Sunday was Bat Day in Worcester and Greenville, too, featuring some likely names hitting for power as the affiliates ran the table. Portland and Salem got bailed out by their pitching. But altogether, the five pitching staffs –including Boston’s – allowed just seven runs. We’ll take it!

Worcester: W, 11-1 (BOX SCORE)

In the series finale against the IronPigs (Phillies Triple-A), the WooSox got to the pitching staff early and often. Bob Dalbec, certified Triple-A stud, opened the scoring up with a mammoth shot, because of course he did, and following that, the WooSox didn’t slow down. Chase Meidroth had a shot of his own the following inning, and Niko Kavadas started the IronPigs’ bullpen on a sour note as he made the game 6-1.

Meanwhile, although Richard Fitts didn’t make it out of the fourth inning, the pitching staff as a whole, including new acquisition Bailey Horn from the Cubs organization, gave up just three hits and two walks while producing twelve strikeouts. Pair that with a two-hole-three-hole combo of Enmanuel Valdez and Romy Gonzalez combining to go 7-for-9, and you have a blowout win the WooSox direly needed.

Portland: W, 2-1 (BOX SCORE)

Even though Isaac Coffey’s fantastic six-inning game against the Fightin’ Phils didn’t earn him a win, it was a driving force in a game in which the Sea Dogs’ bats were quiet until the seventh inning. All it took was a Blaze Jordan leadoff walk and then another home run from Matt Lugo, his seventh of the young season. Can Lugo get some looks in Triple-A? He still is carrying an OPS of well over 1, and has fielding versatility. Let’s strike while the iron is hot!

Greenville: W, 9-2 (BOX SCORE)

It’s not too often that the Drive score runs like this, and they still got outhit despite winning by seven runs, so let’s rejoice for solid defensive play by Greenville and Juan Daniel Encarnacion’s ability to get out of innings againstTourists (Astros High-A) out without significant damage done. I will take eight strikeouts in less than five innings... even with the seven hits allowed!) Luis Ravelo’s three-run shot put the Drive ahead 4-2, increasing their WPE by 36%, and they never looked back.

Side note: it’s nice to see MiLB using the Malmo Oat Milkers alter-ego for willing minor-league teams, as they did with Asheville on Sunday. As a vegan (only the second time in almost two years writing here I’ve written that, so shhh with your stereotypes!) it’s cool to see brands like Oatly getting higher visibility.

Salem: W, 3-1 (BOX SCORE)

Five hits, twelve strikeouts, Blake Wehunt thriving on the mound, and Marvin Alcantara coming a home run shy from a cycle. Luckily for the bats, which totaled just six hits (half from Alcantara, another two from Miguel Bleis) the pitching was on top of everything and that was enough for Salem to beat the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Cubs A). That’s a good Sunday in my book!

Happy Monday!

2024-05-06T15:33:40Z dg43tfdfdgfd