UP-AND-DOWN OUTING
Pomeranz getting closer to Red Sox rotation
PAWTUCKET – There’s a gaping hole in the Red Sox starting rotation that Drew Pomeranz hopes to fill very soon.
Instead of a unit that’s presently four-strong and includes Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez, Pomeranz seeks to make it a five-person crew. That means no more bullpen games where the starter – either Hector Velazquez or Brian Johnson – only gets through the early innings before asking the bullpen to navigate the rest of the game.
“You always want to be there to help the guys out,” Pomeranz said after tossing 3.2 innings of three-run ball for the PawSox on Friday night. “In the beginning of the year, I probably came back a little too early. That was my fault, but you want to be part of the team. I’m just focusing on feeling right and being stretched out.”
Pomeranz tossed 78 pitches (46 pitches), by far the most he’s thrown during the three starts he’s made for Pawtucket this month. Health-wise, the forearm flexor strain that landed him on Boston’s disabled list isn’t a concern at this stage. Watching Friday’s game were Red Sox Red Sox vice president of pitching analysis Brian Bannister and pitching development analyst David Bush.
“I feel like I could have gone a little bit deeper, but we’re sticking to a pitch count,” Pomeranz said.
When asked if the Sox would like to see Pomeranz build his pitch count to the 90-95 range before activating him, hence the need for an additional rehab start, he said, “I imagine there would be something like that, but I’m pretty close. I’ll talk with the guys (on Saturday) and see what’s next.”
Facing Syracuse, Pomeranz allowed four hits with three strikeouts and one walk. The free pass did prove costly. After walking Matt Reynolds to begin the fourth, Pomeranz got a grounder to second base that Pawtucket was unable to convert into a double-play. After falling behind 3-0 to Chiefs DH Yadiel Hernandez, Pomeranz issued an offering that Hernandez blasted for a two-run home run that traveled 411 feet and landed just to the right of center field.
“I was trying to throw a strike on 3-0 and the guy swings,” Pomeranz said, “but this is the best I’ve felt the whole time.”
Pomeranz opened his outing with a 1-2-3 first inning that featured three weak groundball outs. His fastball ranged between 89-91 miles per hour and his curveball helped him record back-to-back strikeouts to end the second inning after allowing three hits earlier in the frame.
“I had a good mix going, but guys tend to be aggressive in Triple-A,” Pomeranz said. “I’ve spent enough time pitching here to know the difference, but I’m focusing on making pitches when I have to. I feel like I did that.”
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Thirty years after it happened, Morgan’s Magic is still difficult to fully comprehend. Someone who was a firsthand witness to the 1988 Boston Red Sox ripping off 24 straight wins at Fenway Park was PawSox hitting coach Rich Gedman, who was behind the plate for a Roger Clemens start and contributed an RBI on July 15, 1988 – the first day of that incredible run.
“When Joe came, something happened. Within two months, we went from two games under .500 to six over just like that. It was Joe being Joe, I guess,” Gedman said. “It was like the cover that was hanging over us got lifted and guys started to play.”
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EXTRA BASES: From playing in the Sun Belt Conference to getting drafted in the 19th round of last month draft, to batting .326 in 16 games for Short-season Class A Lowell, to getting promoted to the PawSox on Friday – it’s been a whirlwind 2018 for infielder/ Texas State University product Jonathan Ortega. Plain and simple, manager Kevin Boles said Ortega is depth for a Pawtucket team that at the moment is in short supply of middle infielders. Ortega saw time at shortstop (10 games), second base (four games), and third base (three games) while with the Spinners. “Hopefully he’s a guy who gets an opportunity here over the next few days,” Boles said. … Rusney Castillo did take batting practice Friday. However, running is a problem for the outfielder, who landed on the disabled list with a groin strain (retroactive to Thursday). Castillo left Sunday’s game experiencing tightness in his hips. … Marcus Walden (right forearm inflammation) passed his two-inning live batting practice test on Friday. He threw 15 pitches in each frame and told Boles that he felt good afterwards. … Also Friday, the PawSox saw Sam Travis get promoted to Boston and welcomed back infielder Jantzen Witte, who opened the season on Pawtucket’s roster. He was transferred to Portland where he batted .265 with eight homers and 39 RBI in 54 games. “He belongs on this club,” said Boles, who added that he doesn’t know exactly how long Witte or Oretga will be with the PawSox. “We’ve got some potential roster moves coming over the next few days.” … The series with the Chiefs continues tonight with William Cuevas (5-5, 3.65) on the mound for Pawtucket. After the 6:15 game, there will be a fireworks show set to Margaritaville Music. … The third of four PawSox youth clinics will take place today at McCoy from 2-3:15.