Sunday Conversation with Arnie Beyeler
As the PawSox wrap-up their four-game series tonight against the Toledo Mud Hens, I had a chance to sit down and chat with former ‘Hens infielder – and current PawSox manager – Arnie Beyeler.
Arnie’s reaction to last night’s seven-run 8th inning:
“These guys showed a lot of character. You don’t see [a seven-run inning] very often. These guys have done a good job all year. We talk to them about playing hard nine innings every night and last night they didn’t quit. They did a great job.”
On Ryan Lavarnway’s go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth inning:
“He’s a threat every time he comes to the plate. Part of his development is getting to catch everyday this year. It has probably taken a toll on him from a durability standpoint – how strong he feels everyday. It’s always nice to see guys succeed when they get big opportunities.”
Beyeler played in 29 games with Toledo in 1991 where he hit .174 with two doubles and two RBI before retiring from playing. (PawSox.com)
Regarding how he thought Dice-K pitched last night:
“I thought he did a nice job of throwing strikes. He threw a lot of fastballs during the first four innings and really didn’t go to his off-speed stuff until later. He really pounded the zone and was aggressive to the hitters. He did a very nice job and was very efficient.”
PawSox Notebook:
- The home run last night from Lavarnway was his first since back-to-back blasts on April 16 and 17 at Syracuse (26 games, 99 at-bats).
- Fan-favorite Ryan Kalish homered in the 9th inning last night for High-A Salem in his first game of the season. He worked as the designated hitter and finished the night 2-for-4. Officially on a rehab assignment, the outfielder has 20 days before Boston will be forced to call him up or option him to a minor league club.
- Aaron Bates spent parts of 2009 and ’10 with Pawtucket and made his Major League debut with the Red Sox on July 6, 2009. After signing a minor league contract with Minnesota on May 9, 2011, he was released almost a year later: May 15, 2012. Happy to see Bates has latched on with one of the most distinguished franchises in baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals. (Sorry, I’m from St. Louis.)
- After collecting a save in seven of his last nine appearances, Mark Melancon is now 8-for-8 in save situations with three walks and 24 strikeouts in 17 appearances. Unfortunately for Melancon, the Red Sox bullpen has been the club’s backbone over the recent stretch.
The PawSox finish their final series of the season with Toldo tonight from McCoy. Righty Brandon Duckworth (5-1, 4.28) will be opposed by the Mud Hens’ right-hander Thad Weber (3-2, 2.54). First pitch tonight is scheduled for 6:05, we hit the air at 5:50.
Talk with you then.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Aaron Bates played in 122 games for the PawSox in 2010 where he hit .240 with 12 home runs and 54 runs batted in. (Kelly O’Connor)
