And Bryan Gonzalez and Michael Sansone put the exclamation point on successful seasons.
While the Red Sox bullpen was busy choking up yet another win after an exceptional first Major League start by many-time 2024 Minor Lines subject Richard Fitts, every team on the farm was following in the footsteps of the Patriots by putting one in the W column. For Worcester, it was another day for Roman Anthony to rake with the team springing to life in the tenth inning. For each of the A-level teams, it was a great Sunday showing to close out the season. Let’s get into it!
Worcester: W, 9-7 (F/10) (BOX SCORE)
The bullpen had an unlikely strong link tonight: Wyatt Olds. After blowing a save in a see-saw game against the Red Wings (Nationals AAA), Olds held up for three innings (and blew a save, but came back strong in the 10th) and that was long enough for five batters to reach base consecutively for the WooSox. By the way, Roman Anthony had a three-hit afternoon, as did Dalton Guthrie, who insured the middle of the lineup (who all secured hits) were driven in en route to this nail-biter.
Portland: W, 8-5 (BOX SCORE)
Mikey Romero has hits in nine of his eleven games in Double-A; he’s scored in eight. All eight of the Sea Dogs’ runs against the Fisher Cats (Blue Jays AA) were from the top of the lineup (1-5, who drew seven walks between them), including Anthony, and Alex Binelas’ four base appearances helped keep the team ahead, even if the game loomed on a strong eighth inning. The 21-out bullpen game after a rough start by Bryce Bonnin was even pretty good, sitting ten Fisher Cats down and allowing five hits.
Greenville: W, 5-4 (BOX SCORE)
Greenville had a forgettable season (besides, ya know, some of the hottest prospects in the organization starting there… we’re looking at you, Kristian Campbell!) but they finish their 2024 campaign off with a W against the Dash (White Sox High-A). Jedixson Paez was hit around a bit in his five innings but kept the traffic manageable per inning, and Bryan Gonzalez, for as dependable as he’s been in the latter part of the season, followed his walk-off win Saturday by showing he had one more good day left in him. The first baseman went 3-for-4, scoring twice and launching home run number twenty. The Drive finish six games under .500, but finish 2024 with three straight wins.
Salem: W, 13-2 (BOX SCORE)
That’s certainly one way to finish the 2024 season. Salem scored thirteen runs against Kannapolis (purveyors of an awesome logo as I’ve noted before, and), and won by double digits despite racking up just one more hit. This was partly thanks to Michael Sansone keeping the ball in the ballpark and the team playing a rare game where their defense was clean. But also, seven hits with runners in scoring positions will do wonders, as will drawing seven walks. Eight of the nine Sox got an RBI and eight got a hit. That’s a way to end a season!
Have a great Monday!