Friday, May 24, 2013
After two solid starts in the Arizona Fall League, Casey Kelly got knocked around Monday, lasting only two innings (8 H, 8 R, 1 BB, 2 K) ... The game turned into a wild 9-9 11-inning tie between the Peoria Javelinas and the Surprise Rafters.
Other Red Sox prospects playing for Peoria included shortstop Joe Iglesias (.294), going 2-for-6. Catcher Ryan Lavarnway (.276) was 2-for-7 ... Relievers Seth Garrison (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K) and Jason Rice (1 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) also got in the game.
Starring for the Rafters was outfielder Engel Beltre (4-for-6, 2B, HR). Beltre, 20, was included in Boston's 2007 trade to Texas for ill-fated reliever Eric Gagne. Beltre batted .331 for half a season in Class A last year, before going to Double-A and batting .256.
Besides Beltre, Boston traded outfielder David Murphy, who will be playing in his first World Series, and pitcher Kason Gabbard, who faded away after elbow surgery.
At the time of the trade, it was a smart deal for Boston. Gagne was pitching well and the Red Sox needed to strengthen their bullpen (something they did not do this year) ... Gagne was a bust but, as it turned out, Boston's bullpen improved anyway, with Manny Delcarmen and Mike Timlin coming on, along with Hideki Okajima.
Murphy probably was not going to fit into Boston's plans, but with Beltre emerging, the Red Sox may end up kicking themselves.
And now for the literary part of this blog ...
Marty Dobrow has written a fine book - "Knocking on Heaven's Door" - that follows the path of six minor leaguers, and their agents. Two of the players are former Sea Dogs pitchers Manny Delcarmen and Charlie Zink. in today's column, we look at that book, along with a documentary film titled "Time in the Minors" which includes former Sea Dogs infielder Tony Schrager.
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Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
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