Everything started just fine for Red Sox pitching prospect Darwinzon Hernandez in his return to Double-A Portland on Tuesday after his second brief stint in the bigs. He worked past a single and a walk in the first and retired the three Hartford Yard Goats (Rockies) he faced in the second inning, in order.
Then things went a little differently in the third inning.
Hernandez walked two of the first three batters he faced, striking out the other. The lefty then gave up a single that scored the two Hartford baserunners, and the hitter, Tyler Nevin, wound up on second thanks to a throwing error. Another single plated Nevin, then the next Yard Goat reached based after getting hit by a pitch. After Hernandez struck out the following hitter for the second out in the inning, he only faced one more batter, who reached on an error.
Hernandez’s 2 2/3 inning outing brought his season ERA up to 4.81 and his WHIP is now 1.60. He has walked 28 batters and hit three in 33 2/3 inning with the Sea Dogs. He also has 48 K’s and opponents are only hitting .208 against him. There’s no question the 22-year-old has talent, but it’s clear — despite the Red Sox having called him up twice — the left-hander needs some refining.
Thad Ward receives league honor
Red Sox pitching prospect Thad Ward was named the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday after shutting down the opposition in his last two starts. Ward threw 14 scoreless innings last week as part of his ongoing 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak. He also had 13 strikeouts over those 14 frames, only walked one and gave up five hits. His season WHIP with Class A Greenville has dropped to 0.99 and opponents are only hitting .188 against him, while his ERA stands at 2.20 after entering last week with at 2.91.