Youkilis Talks Rehab, Memories of Pawtucket
After batting practice tonight, Kevin Youkilis joined me in the PawSox dugout in Durham to chat about his first rehab game with the PawSox. Youk also shared his memories from 2001 when he was managed by current PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler in Lowell, and what he remembers from his playing days at McCoy.
Youkilis is out of the PawSox lineup tonight – scheduled day off.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Youkilis, Dice-K, and Godzilla Take Over Durham
It’s hard to imagine another minor league game played across the country tonight that features as impressive Major League resumes as we’ll see this evening in Durham.
A sellout crowd is expected at Durham Bulls Athletic Park to watch Kevin Youkils, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Hideki Matsui. The trio has combined to play in 2,237 big league games over a span of 23 seasons. Together, Youk and Godzilla have 304 home runs and 1,312 runs batted in.
The three have totaled five Major League All-Star selections, four World Series championships, one World Series MVP, and even a Gold Glove.
This won’t be your typical Game 42 of the season.
PawSox Notebook:
- Jose Iglesias finished last night 2-for-5 and is now hitting a season’s best .267. Known for his glove and not his bat, Iglesias has recorded at least two hits in nine of his last 13 games where he’s hitting .420 (21-for-50).
- The PawSox longest hitting streak of the season has been snapped. Pedro Ciriaco finished 0-for-5 last night and saw his club-best streak end at 12 games.
- The Pawtucket bullpen has not allowed a run in four games (a stretch of 14 2/3 innings dating back five games). The last time it surrendered a run was a leadoff homer in the top of the seventh inning on May 12 at McCoy against Columbus.
- Speaking of the bullpen, Mark Melancon nailed down his fifth save in as many tries last night. The righty is yet to allow a run in 13 innings and now has 21 strikeouts to zero walks.
- PawSox batters have drawn 20 walks over the first two games in Durham. While Pawtucket is tied for taking the third-most walks in the International League, Durham is second in the league in offering “ball four.” Unrelated, the PawSox lead the circuit with 42 home runs in 41 games.
Should be a fun one tonight in Game 3 versus the Bulls. Dice-K (0-0, 4.50) makes his third rehab start with the PawSox and is opposed by righty Jim Paduch (1-1, 3.71). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 with our pre-game coverage beginning at 6:50.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Youkilis Joins PawSox
Judging by all the Red Sox gear I saw fans wearing around Durham Bulls Athletic Park last night, there’s no doubt we’ll hear some “Youuuuuk” calls this evening.
Red Sox All-Star Kevin Youkilis is scheduled to join the PawSox tonight in Durham where he will begin his minor league rehab assignment (back strain). Various reports suggest that Youk will serve as Pawtucket’s designated hitter and get three at-bats.
Word is that he will then play the field on Thursday (same night Dice-K is scheduled to start for the PawSox), and then a decision will be made whether he is ready to join the Red Sox in Philadelphia.
Youkilis rehabbed in two games with the PawSox last season as well as in 2009. He combined to play in 113 games with Pawtucket between 2003-05. Overall, he hit .256 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs. (pawsox.com)
PawSox Notebook:
- No doubt the biggest headline from last night’s 8-2 win in Durham was the home run from shortstop Jose Iglesias. Just his second-career long ball, Iglesias drilled a laser over the 34-foot tall “Blue Monster” in left field. The homer came in his 745th-career at bat (204 games). His previous home run came last year on August 26 at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and just like last night’s, it was a two-run shot.
- Hard to believe, but last night marked the first multi-RBI game of the season for Ryan Lavarnway. The power-hitting catcher smashed a two-run double in the top of the 9th to extend his current hit streak to five games. The Yale product has upped his average to .273 and connected on his first extra-base hit in eight games. Of his 30 hits this year, 24 have been singles.
- Che-Hsuan Lin is also riding a five-game hitting streak and has at least one hit in 9 of his last 10 games. The PawSox outfielder is tied for second on the club with 17 walks, and has struck out just 15 times in 110 at-bats.
- Reliever Mark Melancon made his 12th appearance of the season last night and once again proved that he can more than handle International League batters. The hard-throwing righty has now tossed 12 scoreless innings while striking out 20 batters and not walking a man or allowing a run.
The PawSox and Bulls tangle tonight at 7:05 with our pre-game coverage starting at 6:50. Righty Doug Mathis (2-2, 5.01), coming off six scoreless innings against Columbus, will be opposed by right-hander Lance Pendleton (1-1, 4.15).
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
PawSox on TV This Afternoon
Germano, the PawSox Opening Day starter, has been the most steady arm in the PawSox rotation so far this year. He’s 3-0, 2.12 ERA at home this year in three starts. (Kelly O’Connor)
Break out the makeup and hair products, today at 12:05 the PawSox are on television.
It’s actually the second time the club has been on TV this year, with a road game in Toledo aired on NESN during the team’s previous road trip. That said, today marks the first game broadcast exclusively in Rhode Island in conjunction with Ocean State Networks.
Today’s game can be found on Cox Cable channel 5 and in HD on channel 1005. WJAR / NBC 10 and Cox Communications joined forces earlier this month to launch Ocean State Networks – exclusively available to Cox customers.
I’ll be doing the game on TV with former PawSox and Red Sox reliever, Ken Ryan. Meanwhile, Steve will hold down the radio broadcast with guest broadcaster Steve McDonald (play-by-play voice for the University of Rhode Island, and all-around great guy).
The PawSox have won five games in a row and have a chance to end this eight-game homestand with a 7-1 record with a win today against Columbus.
Justin Germano starts for the PawSox and will be opposed by Eric Berger. First pitch is set for 12:05, we hit the air on the TV side at high-noon.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
PawSox Players Wish a Happy Mother’s Day
A minor league baseball season doesn’t slow down for much – including Mother’s Day. Although most of the PawSox players won’t be able to spend today with their moms, a number of them wanted to express their love and gratitude for all that their moms have done for them over the years.
I know I wouldn’t have this blog, this job, or much of anything else if it wasn’t for my mom’s hard work, sacrifice, and dedication all these years. A special thanks to my mom and all the others for all your amazing work.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Clayton Mortensen on His Time in Boston
Clayton Mortensen couldn’t have pitched much better for the Red Sox over his three appearances. The right-hander allowed just one run over 9 1/3 innings while striking out 12. He never walked a batter and on two separate occasions worked three scoreless innings.
The Red Sox mark Clayton’s fourth parent club: Oakland, St. Louis, and Colorado are the others. Few minor leaguers are able to make it to the big leagues with one team – Mortensen has now done it with all four.
“My case is pretty rare, I guess you can say,” Mortensen told me in the PawSox dugout. “I do take pride in the fact that I’ve gotten up with all four teams. I feel like each year I’ve gone out and competed.”
The Gonzaga product has now appeared in 27 major league games over four years, but never before had he pitched at Fenway Park.
“I wasn’t as star-struck as I thought I was going to be. I just thought it was a really cool atmosphere,” he told me.
“Being in the bullpen, you soak it in for a few innings. You have that huge addreneline rush that hits you once you get in the game. Then, after that, you don’t really notice anything else going on.”
Mortensen proved he can get it done at the major league level, but for now is back here in Pawtucket and adds to an already solid bullpen.
Tonight Daisuke Matsuzaka makes his second rehab start of the homestand for the PawSox. First pitch from McCoy is set for 6:05, we hit the air at 5:50 with the pre-game show.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Mortensen made his Red Sox debut on May 2 vs. Oakland and tossed three scoreless innings while striking out six and allowing just one hit. (Kelly O’Connor)
Inside Daniel Nava’s Surge
Just about two weeks ago, PawSox outfielder Daniel Nava was batting .188 in the International League. Through April 28, the switch-hitter was just 1-for-30 on the road. Unlike Will Middlebrooks, Nava got off to anything but a hot start.
However, since April 23, Nava has been on fire and has raised his average from .188 to .316 over the course of 14 games. Here are his numbers over that stretch:
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Nava went undrafted out of Santa Clara University and was playing independent league baseball in California when the Red Sox signed him. (Kelly O’Connor)
Batting .420 (21-for-50)
- Of his 21 hits, 10 have been for extra bases (7-doubles, 1-triple, 2-home runs)
- In his last 14 games, Nava has connected on at least two hits seven times
Over 27 games this season, Nava …
- Has 14 walks to 15 strikeouts
- Has a staggering on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .926
- Is second among active PawSox hitters with 30 hits (Mauro Gomez has 39)
To be clear, the Red Sox are yet to send out an official release stating that Nava has been promoted. That said, virtually every Boston media outlet is reporting that Daniel has not only been called up, but is in tonight’s lineup batting sixth and playing left field.
If true, who knows what could happen …
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
The Sliding Catch: Tom Brunansky at McCoy
In 1990, he was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Red Sox for closer Lee Smith. Although he played just three seasons for Boston, Tom Burnansky will always be remembered for his sliding catch in the right field corner to end the final regular season game of 1990. That tremendous play robbed Ozzie Guillen of a hit and propelled the Red Sox to the ALCS.
Burnansky, now in his first year as the Rochester Red Wings hitting coach, will be honored tonight at Fenway Park as part of the Red Sox celebration of Fenway’s 100th year. The Red Sox have designated May as “Memorable Moments Month” and will have a special pre-game ceremony featuring Burnansky before tonight’s 7:10 first pitch against Cleveland.
PawSox Notebook:
- Jose Iglesias now has two hits in six of his last seven games and ranks 3rd among active PawSox hitters with 27 hits over 28 starts. The Pawtucket shortstop has two more hits than Ryan Lavarnway, three fewer than Daniel Nava. 24 of his hits have been singles.
- Entering yesterday, just four of Che-Hsuan Lin’s 20 hits had come at McCoy Stadium over his first nine home games. Last night he collected half that amount, going 2-for-4.
- Mark Melancon has now tossed 9.2 scoreless innings with 0-BB and 17-K. He converted his second save in as many tries last night despite allowing two hits with two outs.
- The PawSox have clubbed 13 hits three times in the last five games. Last night was the first time in that stretch they’ve done so without hitting a home run.
- Seven of the PawSox nine batters registered a hit last night against Rochester. Iglesias, Lars Anderson, and Lin all had two hits, Nava had three.
- Speaking of Nava, the PawSox outfielder has raised his average from .188 to .316 over the last two weeks. Almost equally impressive, Daniel is pounding the ball at home, batting .486 (18-for-37).
- Lars Anderson now has 5 doubles in his last 5 games. 10 of his 22 hits this year have been doubles.
The PawSox have a chance to win their second-straight series with a win this afternoon against Rochester. Pawtucket right-hander Brandon Duckworth (4-0, 3.34) will be opposed by lefty Luke French (0-0, 5.40). First pitch from McCoy crosses home plate at 12:05 this afternoon. We’ll hit the air at 11:50 with the pre-game show.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Brunansky played a combined 14 major league seasons with Minnesota, Boston, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and the California Angels. He was a career .245 hitter and a 1985 all-star selection. (Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images)
Beaneater Home Run History
What Josh Hamilton did last night in Baltimore is almost unreal. Hamilton became the 16th player in MLB history to homer four times in a single game – the first since Carlos Delgado did it with Toronto on September 25, 2003.
Head shot of Bobby Lowe. If this isn’t the look of a guy who will go deep four times in a game, I don’t know what is.
Although a Boston Red Sox batter has never accomplished the feat, someone else from The Hub actually has. In fact, he was the first to ever accomplish the feat. On May 30, 1894, Bobby Lowe of the Boston Beaneaters homered four times against Cincinnati.
I wish I could make this stuff up.
The Pawtucket Red Sox have been playing baseball since 1973 and have never had a player hit four home runs in a single game. The last time a PawSox batter homered three times in a game was when Mike Lowell did it on rehab assignment on July 27, 2010 in Toledo.
PawSox Notebook:
- Infielder Pedro Ciriaco is batting .579 (11-for-19) vs. LHP and .467 (7-for-15) with RISP. He’s currently riding an 8-game hitting streak – tied for the club’s longest this season (Josh Kroeger, April 18 -27).
- Tuesday night, Ryan Lavarnway suddenly started wearing his red socks pulled up to his knees. The result: he went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He fashioned the same look last night with a different outcome: 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. As a result, the most intriguing storyline going into tonight’s game is what will Ryan do with his socks?
- Behind 5.0+ innings pitched from Ross Ohlendorf last night, the PawSox offense managed just one run for the fourth time this season. The last time it happened was on April 27 at Columbus in 4-1 loss. Pawtucket’s starting pitcher that night? Ross Ohlendorf.
- The always steady Mauro Gomez is currently in his longest offensive drought of the season. He’s 2-for-21 (.095) over his last five games with one home run and two runs batted in. Gomez has been an offensive force this year and is currently the International League’s active leader in homer runs (10). Of his 35 hits this year, 19 have been for extra-bases (54%).
- This may surprise you, but among active PawSox players, Jose Iglesias is tied for third on the club with 25 hits. Only Gomez (35) and Daniel Nava (27) rank ahead of him. He’s tied with Josh Kroeger.
If the skies clear tonight, the PawSox will play Game 3 against Rochester from McCoy. Right-hander Justin Germano (3-1, 2.16) starts for Pawtucket and will be opposed by righty Cole DeVries (0-2, 2.89). First pitch is set for 6:15, we hit the air at 6:00.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Hamilton set an American League record last night with 18 total bases. All four home runs were two-run blasts with Elvis Andrus standing on first base. (Joy R. Absalon/US PRESSWIRE)
Reactions to Middlebrooks on Twitter
Will Middlebrooks was shredding International League pitching when he was called up to Boston on May 2. In his first four major league games, the Red Sox No. 1 prospect is 8-for 21 with three home runs and nine runs batted in. Last night in Kansas City, Will homered feet shy of the foul pole in right field, smoked a double off the center field wall, and then dinged a home run off the foul pole in left.
Are you serious?!
Middlebrooks had an “all fields” approach here in Pawtucket with two homers to right, one to center, and the remaining six to left field. Of his nine home runs, five came with two runers on base. With that in mind, it shouldn’t surprise us that he connected on a three-run opposite field homer last night against the Royals.
Middlebrooks celebrating his first major league home run – a fifth inning grand slam against Baltimore. (Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters photo)
Not only has Will been the talk of Boston, but he’s also been a hot name on Twitter. Here is what local and national media members are saying about the Red Sox newest third baseman:
Jeremy Lundblad, Senior Researcher for ESPN Stats & Info (@JLundbladESPN):
Will Middlebrooks is 1st #RedSox player with 3 HR in his 1st 4 career games since Billy Conigliaro in 1969.
Tim Britton, Red Sox Beat Writer, Providence Journal (@TBritton_Projo):
The Rangers lead the AL with seven three-run homers this season. Between Pawtucket and Boston, Will Middlebrooks has six by himself.
D.J. Short, Writer for Hardball Talk on NBCSports.com (@djshort):
Lucas Duda has six extra-base hits in 102 plate appearances. Will Middlebrooks has six in his first four MLB games.
Tom Caron, NESN Studio Host (@TomCaron):
The legend of Will Middlebrooks grows. 3 HRs/ 9 RBI in the last 2 games. Think he’s ready for the bigs?
Major League Baseball (@MLB):
On Sunday morning, Will Middlebrooks had 0 career homers. Now, he has 3.
We’ll be keeping an eye on what Middlebrooks does tonight as the PawSox and Red Wings play Game 2 from McCoy Stadium. Ross Ohlendorf gets the start and will be opposed by Liam Hendriks, recently send down from Minnesota. First pitch this evening is scheduled for 6:15, we’ll hit the air at 6:00.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
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