9/7 MiLB Gameday: EL Semifinals, Game 5

[Cuzittt]

Today's Games:

IL:Pawtucket - OFF [Finals begin Tuesday]
EL: Portland (Luis Diaz) vs. Binghamton (Gabriel Ynoa) [1:05pm]

CL:Salem - Season Complete
SAL: Greenville - Season Complete
NYPL: Lowell - Season Complete
GCL: GCL Sox - Season Complete - GCL Champions
DSL: DSL Sox - Season Complete - DSL Runner-Ups


Notes:

Rusney Castillo is expected to be with Portland for the EL Playoffs today.

Durham will be the Pawsox opponent when the Governor's Cup Final Begins on Tuesday.

Playoff Games:

Pawtucket wins Semis 3-0, Finals start Tuesday

Portland tied 2-2, best of 5.

Salem lose 2-1.

GCL Sox won the GCL Championship 2-1 over the Yankees.

DSL Sox lose Championship Series, 3-1.


Scoreboard:

Boston Red Sox Minor League Scores

Media:

MiLB TV
MiLB Radio

Local Media:

Pawsox:

Providence Journal
Pawtucket Times

Seadogs: Portland Press Herald

Salem: Roanoke Times

Greenville: Greenville Online

Lowell: Lowell Sun

 

[mabrowndog]

It'll take a comeback of Herculean proportions for Portland to advance. Luis Diaz got smoked right out of the gate for a pair in the 1st, and 5 more in the 4th sent him to the showers. Dayan Diaz now on in relief.
 
Sea Dogs trail 8-2 through 4 innings.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

8 to 5 in the 7th.

 

[Plympton91]

You don't normally question minor league managers' decisions, but even though it's only AA, its still the playoffs. How do you let the starter give up 5 runs in the 4th inning of an elimination game?

 

[RoDaddy]

Tough way to go out after a near record 88 wins, 34 over .500.  Of course, many of the key players this season moved on, but the same can be said for other teams as well

 

[mabrowndog]

You don't normally question minor league managers' decisions, but even though it's only AA, its still the playoffs. How do you let the starter give up 5 runs in the 4th inning of an elimination game?

 
It was 4-1 with the bases loaded when McMillon pulled Luis Diaz, with 2 runs already in during the inning.
 
Dayan Diaz then yielded a double to his first batter that cleared the bases (all 3 runs charged to Luis).

 

[Doctuh]

Does anyone know why he pulled Scott in the 9th? Even though he gave up a hit, he was pitching very well and there was one out to go.

 

[mabrowndog]

He had just given up a double to the lefty Ceciliani, and a RHH (Travis Taijeron) was due up.
 
Scott was also at 28 pitches, his highest count since August 17. Maybe McMillon noticed a drop in velocity or arm slot, or a reduction in pitch movement, perhaps from late-season fatigue. But that's just speculation since, as you note, Scott was pitching just fine before the double, recording the first out of the 9th with a three-pitch K, and the second on a first-pitch grounder. 
 
I think it's as simple as McMillon opting for a fresh arm and a RHP vs RHH matchup with the game still in reach at that point and a runner in scoring position. Plus Boscan had been lights-out since August 8, with 12 scoreless innings in 6 outings (9 H, 8 K, 1 BB), including a 3-inning save Thursday night.

 

[Cuzittt]

Portland loses 8-5.

Boxscore

Luis Diaz went 3 2/3 innings, allowing 7 runs on 8 hits, 2 walks and a HBP; striking out 2. Dayan Diaz went 2 1/3 innings, allowing a run on 4 hits, a WP and a walk; striking out 3. Robby Scott went 2 2/3 innings, giving up a hit and striking out 2. Wilfredo Boscan got the final out; giving up a HBP.

David Chester, Jonathan Roof and Heiker Meneses each went 2/4; Roof and Meneses with doubles. Mike Miller and Rusney Castillo each went 2/5 with a double; Miller with a SB. Stefan Welch and Shannon Wilkerson each went 1/4; Wilkerson with a HR. Carson Blair went 0/3 with a walk. Keury de la Cruz went 0/5.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Any guess as to whether they'll skip starters and throw Owens on 5 days rest on Wednesday?  Trying to pick a game to go to at the Bucket

 

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

Really bummed by the Sea Dogs' elimination - a pretty special team this summer that seemed to always have a comeback in them. 
 
In the end, it was that game 1 loss that killed them. Up big early and they couldn't finish the deal, with two great starters to follow. Should have been a sweep...

 

[Doctuh]

Really bummed by the Sea Dogs' elimination - a pretty special team this summer that seemed to always have a comeback in them. 
 
In the end, it was that game 1 loss that killed them. Up big early and they couldn't finish the deal, with two great starters to follow. Should have been a sweep...

 
At least one takeaway is that the team seemed to revitalize a sagging fan base. it has been a few years of dismal teams, pulling almost 3k against the Pats first game during the school year is still pretty good.

 

[mabrowndog]

Any guess as to whether they'll skip starters and throw Owens on 5 days rest on Wednesday?  Trying to pick a game to go to at the Bucket

 
Well, they don't need to skip Barnes anymore.
 
Since Owens pitched on 9/5, taking the hill Wednesday would be five 24-hour periods but four calendar days between starts.
 
Presumably they'll bring Brian Johnson (taking Barnes' roster spot) and perhaps Eduardo Rodriguez up from Portland (with someone like Jose Valdez going on the TIA or being reassigned to create a roster vacancy). They pitched 9/3 and 9/5 respectively.
 
Couch hasn't pitched since 8/27, and Escobar (the likely Game 1 choice, IMO) started 9/3.
 
There are no more days off, so games are set for Tuesday through Saturday with the last 3 in Durham. I'm thinking it's Escobar (G1), Owens (G2), Johnson (G3), Couch/Rodriguez (G4), Couch/Rodriguez (G5).
 
If only one of Johnson/Rodriguez gets called up, I'd expect a committee outing in Game 5 (Hernandez/Verdugo/Ely, and perhaps Escobar for an inning or two on 3 days' rest if needed).
 
And if it isn't Rodriguez, I hope they at least give Aaron Kurcz a AAA look-see.
 
EDIT - Even if Johnson's the only immediate call-up from Portland, I'd imagine Rodriguez & Kurcz will be with the PawSox. Maybe Younginer & Haley as well, though they'll probably join the rest of the Sea Dogs in Fort Myers for the time being.

 

[mabrowndog]

One more thing: Since Rodriguez will require a 40-man slot this fall for Rule 5 Draft protection, the Sox may prefer to promote him to AAA over Johnson despite Brian being nearly 2.5 years older. Barring a trade, once he's on Boston's 40-man he's automatically a candidate for a call-up in 2015, and the club might want to see how he performs.
 
EDIT - Looks like it's been settled. From earlier today:

 

Matt Huegel @MattHuegelSP    7h


My guess would be Eduardo Rodriguez, just promoted from Portland, starts Game 2 or 3 for @PawSox in Gov. Cup series,with Owens in the other.

 
And regarding Johnson, from within the hour:
 

Chris Hatfield @SPChrisHatfield    33m


No, imo. Increase of nearly 60 ip this year. RT @SMacKenzie11 @SPChrisHatfield @alexspeier any chance Brian Johnson gets the call to Pawsox?

 
FWIW, Rodriguez has thrown 127 innings this year after 145 last season.