Red Sox Minor Lines: Franklin Arias shines again, stirs promotion talk

Worcester Red Sox 10, Buffalo Bisons 3 (BOX)

The Woo Sox pounded out 10 runs and 13 hits on Thursday night in an emphatic victory over the Bisons (TOR). Franklin Arias led the way with three hits, three runs, two RBI, and his fourth home run at Worcester. He has 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 90 games combined in the minor leagues this season.

The chirping is getting louder on social media, asking for Arias to get the call in 2026. Unfortunately, with the looming lockout, it’s difficult to see top prospects who are not on the 40-man roster getting the call this season. Minor leaguers will still be able to play next year if the lockout spills into the season, and Arias doesn’t need to be protected from the Rule Five draft until after 2027.

I know that we don’t shout out the Triple-A players in their thirties too often, but it’s easy to forget how recently Mickey Gasper played a significant role with the major league team. Gasper had two doubles and an RBI on Thursday, and his slash line in 233 plate appearances at Worcester this year is .340/.451/.571, with a 161 wRC+. The guy shows up for work every day and will be ready for the call when needed. I expect to see him hitting .300 somewhere at the age of 40.

Kristian Campbell also had a couple of doubles to stay hot, and Nathan Hickey had two hits, three RBI, and finished the game on the mound (allowing two runs).

Gage Ziehl (1-0, 0.00) will get his second start since being promoted to Worcester on Friday at 6:45.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies 6, Portland Sea Dogs 2 (BOX)

I’ve looked at quite a few line scores in my day. It’s not often that I see a “6” in the final column of a professional baseball game.

That seems suboptimal when trying to win a ballgame. Believe it or not, five of the six Binghamton (NYM) runs were unearned, with starter Hayden Mullins allowing one earned over five innings and striking out eight. Miguel Bleis and Johanfran Garcia each hit solo homers, with Brooks Brannon contributing three doubles on the day.

The Sea Dogs have yet to name a starter on Friday at 6:00.

Hub City Spartanburgers 6, Greenville Drive 3 (BOX)

The Drive were never really in this one, as the Spartanburgers (TEX) went out to a 6-0 lead after six innings. Starter Jacob Mayers allowed one earned run over 3 2/3 innings but was saddled with the loss.

DH Ronny Hernandez homered in the loss, his twelfth, and had both of the team’s RBI. Yophery Rodriguez contributed two hits as well.

Jason Gilman (0-1, 5.40) gets the ball on Friday at 7:05.

Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Salem RidgeYaks 3 (BOX)

The RidgeYaks got off to a tough start against the Shorebirds (BAL), who tallied five runs in the bottom of the first to chase starter Williams Montero from the game. Reliever Berny Ortiz calmed things down in relief, throwing 3 1/3 shutout innings.

At the dish, Andruw Musett had two doubles and three RBI, accounting for all three of the Salem runs on the day.

On Friday, Leighton Finley (6-4, 4.87) will take the mound at 7:05.