Organizational One-Stop: 4/20/08

There’s no stopping the Sea Dogs, who won their seventh in a row Saturday behind an outstanding performance from Justin Masterson. But that was the highlight for Red Sox affiliates as the PawSox, JetHawks and Drive all fell. Here’s the recap:

Red Sox: David Ortiz continued to stir as he delivered a game-tying RBI single in the eighth inning before Manny Ramirez’ mammoth two-run homer into the Green Monster seats gave the Sox the lead for good in a 5-3 win over the Rangers at Fenway Park. A recap of that game appears elsewhere on this site.

Triple-A Pawtucket: A quartet of Buffalo pitchers limited the PawSox to five hits in a 7-0 win in front of 9,810 at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, RI. Keith Ginter was the only player with two hits for the PawSox, who only got one runner beyond second base. Chris Smith allowed two earned runs or less for the third time in as many starts but took the loss after he gave up two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out three. Craig Hansen (1 2/3 innings) and Lee Gronkiewicz (one inning) each pitched shutout ball and have not allowed an earned run over 19 combined innings this year, but Buffalo scored five runs over the last two innings against Abe Alvarez and Lincoln Holdzkom. The PawSox host Buffalo again this afternoon, when David Pauley is scheduled to take the mound.

Double-A Portland: Justin Masterson struck out 10 in five shutout innings to lower his ERA to 0.95 as the Sea Dogs won their seventh straight with a 6-2 win over Binghamton in front of 2,759 in Binghamton, NY. Masterson, whose 10 whiffs were all of the swinging variety, allowed four hits and two walks. In 19 innings this year, he’s struck out 23 while allowing only 14 hits and five walks. Tony Granadillo, who snapped an 0-for-31 slump in his final at-bat Thursday, went 2-for-5 with three RBI while Iggy Suarez enjoyed his third straight multi-hit game by going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Hunter Jones racked up his third save by allowing one run on three hits and no walks while striking out two in 2 2/3 innings. The Sea Dogs will go for their second consecutive series sweep this afternoon, when Matt Goodson is scheduled to take the mound in Binghamton.

Single-A Lancaster: Bakersfield snapped a tie with a three-run homer off losing pitcher Blake Maxwell in the eighth inning and beat the JetHawks, 8-5, in front of 1,801 in Lancaster, CA. Jason Place and Jon Still each had two hits and an RBI while Zak Farkes and Dennis Blackmon also had an RBI apiece. Place and Ryan Sheely each stole a base. Maxwell allowed three runs on three hits in the eighth. Adam Mills allowed three runs in the first inning but threw shutout ball in his final four frames and was in line to earn the win after allowing nine hits and two walks while striking out one. But Josh Papelbon squandered the lead by allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out one in two innings. The JetHawks complete a four-game series at Bakersfield today, when Jimmy James is scheduled to make the start.

Single-A Greenville: The scorching Mike Jones and Anthony Rizzo combined for five hits, but the rest of the Drive lineup had just one hit as Augusta won, 9-3, in front of 4,364 in Augusta, GA. Jones went 3-for-3 with a double to lift his average to .415 and extend his hitting streak to 11 games and his streak of multi-hit games to six. Rizzo extended his hitting streak to 10 games and raised his average to .386 by going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Rizzo has eight multi-hit games in the streak. Ty Weeden and Kris Negron each had an RBI for the Drive, which has lost three of its last four games following a seven-game winning streak. Jose Alvarez took the loss after he allowed five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four in five innings. Joseph Guerra struck out two in a perfect inning of relief. The Drive will visit Augusta again today, when Chris Province is scheduled to start.