With Spring Training officially over, the minor league season has begun. The Pawtucket Red Sox, Salem Red Sox, Portland Seadogs, and the Greeneville Drive all opened their seasons this week, and we have all the updates you need. Keep in mind that all stats mentioned really need to be taken with a grain of salt due to the extremely small sample size. We’re talking about ten to twelve at bats at the most, so take from these numbers what you will.
Pawtucket Red Sox-
They started the season 1-1, winning their opener 4-2 before dropping the second game of the season 1-2. Both games were against Buffalo. Will Middlebrooks has five hits in his first eight at bats, two of them doubles. Pedro Circiaco continues to stay hot, collecting four hits in nine at bats. Lars Anderson is two for six, and Jose Iglesias is one for eight. Brandon Duckworth had a solid start, pitching 6 2/3 innings of one run ball, while striking out four and walking four. Junichi Tazawa pitched two scoreless innings.
Portland Sea Dogs-
Rough start to the season for the Sea Dogs. They’re sitting at an 0-3 record after getting swept on the road by the Reading Phillies. Outfielder Juan Carlos Linares is six for twelve with a home run, a double, and three walks. Bryce Brentz is four for thirteen with five strikeouts. Brock Huntzinger has had a rough three innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs. Jeremy Kehrt has given up six hits and two earned runs in four innings.
Salem Red Sox-
The Salem Sox won their season opener 9-7 on Friday night against the Frederick Keys. Sean Coyle went one for six with four strikeouts. Brandon Jacobs went one for five with a double. Xander Bogaerts collected two hits in five at bats. Ryan Pressly got the start and he was not particularly impressive, giving up five earned runs in three innings. Keith Couch got the win, pitching five innings while giving up only two earned runs and striking out four.
Greenville Drive-
The Drive split their first two games against the Lakewood Blue Claws to give them a 1-1 record on the season. Blake Swihart is two for six with three walks, one strikeout, and one stolen base. Outfielder Henry Ramos is six for nine with two stolen bases. Yeiper Castillo started the first game for the Drive, pitching five shutout innings while only surrendering one hit, and striking out eight.