Pawtucket L 1-8

Tzu-Wei Lin, SS: 1-3, 1 BB, 2 E Cole Sturgeon, RF: 2-4, 1 RBI, 1 K Rusney Catillo, CF: 1-4 Adam Lind, DH: 0-4, 3 K Sam Travis, 1B: 0-4, 2 K Ivan De Jesus, 3B: 2-4

Bobby Poyner: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K (25 pitches) Tyler Thornburg: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K (20 pitches) Ty Buttrey: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (24 pitches)

There’s not a ton of excitement in Pawtucket right now, but the bullpen does provide a bit of optimism if you’re looking for it. We know Poyner can provide value in the majors. We hope the same for Thornburg, and it seems like we should find out relatively soon. He’s now made four appearances since his rehab was restarted at the beginning of the month, and he has allowed just one hit and one walk in those four innings of work. Buttrey has also sneakily been dominant of late, and he’s down to a 2.12 ERA for the year with 47 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 29 2⁄3 innings. He’s already on the 40-man, so it’s just a matter of a spot opening up for Buttrey to get his chance.

Portland W 4-2

Jeremy Rivera, SS: 1-4, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 K Danny Mars, RF: 1-4, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 K Chad De La Guerra, 3B: 1-3, 2 BB, 1 RBI Josh Ockimey, 1B: 2-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 E Tate Matheny, CF: 0-5, 3 K Austin Rei, C: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 R

Mike Shawaryn: 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K (101 pitches) Travis Lakins: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (16 pitches)

It is my humble opinion that Shawaryn is not getting enough attention from the general Red Sox fan base this year. There’s been a lot of (entirely fair) talk about how bad the farm system is right now, but there are some bright spots. The former fifth round pick is certainly one of them, and he now has a 3.12 ERA over his first 12 starts of the year with 66 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 69 1⁄3 innings. The control in particular is encouraging as that was the concern coming into the year.

Salem W 6-1

Tyler Hill, RF: 3-5, 1 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB Brett Netzer, 2B: 2-5, 2 2B, 1 RBI, 2 K Santiago Espinal, SS: 1-5, 1 R, 2 K, 1 SB Roldani Baldwin, DH: 1-3, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI Bobby Dalbec, 3B: 1-4, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 K

Tanner Houck: 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K (89 pitches)

This was almost a very special night for Salem, and it started with Houck. As you can see, he allowed no hits! All in all, especially considering how disappointing this season has been for last year’s first-round pick, this was an encouraging night. By all accounts he was tough to square up and that’s a step in the right direction. That he walked more than he struck out is not ideal, but one step at a time. The team almost had a combined no-hitter, but Lynchburg got a hit with two outs in the ninth to break it up. Also, shoutout to Hill for a big game at the top of the lineup.

Greenville W 3-2 (F/11)

Lorenzo Cedrola, CF: 1-5, 1 2B, 1 R, 1 K Tanner Nishioka, 2B: 2-5, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 E Pedro Castellanos, DH: 1-4, 1 BB, 1 K Isaias Lucena, C: 2-5, 1 K Jordan Wren, LF: 2-4, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K

Denyi Reyes: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K (89 pitches)

Like Shawaryn, Reyes has been overshadowed and underrated for what has been an outstanding season. This one is a little different as it’s obviously lower in the system and also that Reyes was much more off the radar coming into the year. He’s creeping on with each passing day, though. He now has 14 appearances (11 starts) under his belt on the year with 77 2⁄3 innings. In that time he has a 1.85 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 10 walks. That seems good.

DSL 1 W 17-9

Leonel Jimenez, DH: 3-4, 1 R, 2 RBI Ceddanne Rafaela, 3B/SS: 4-6, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB Lewis Baez, LF: 3-3, 1 3B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 SB Jesus Maita, RF: 2-5, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 2 K Fabian Andrade, 1B: 1-3, 1 2B, 2 BB, 4 R Brandon Rincones, 2B: 4-5, 1 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI

DSL 2 W 6-4

Nelfy Abreu, CF: 1-5, 1 R Angel Maita, RF: 1-3, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K Antoni Flores, SS: 3-5, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 E Danny Diaz, DH: 1-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K Kleiber Rodriguez, 1B: 2-4 Ronaldo Pulgar, 2B: 2-3, 1 3B, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 SB

There were a few notable games down in the Domincan on Thursday. Rafaela was great for the DSL 1 team, and he was signed last summer, though he wasn’t one of the big signings. Flores was, however, and while he’s more known for his glove his bat carried the day for DSL 2.

Player of the Day: There were a few choices here. Shawaryn was awesome and Houck didn’t allow a hit, but I’m most impressed by Reyes. Ten strikeouts in six shutout innings! Like I said above, he’s been amazing this year. He’s 21 years old now and I wouldn’t be surprised if he found his way up the ladder after he participates in the SAL All-Star Game.