The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports
Every Boston Red Sox fan knows what happened in that one game playoff back in 1978. That light hitting Bucky Dent hitting a ball that just clears the Green Monster, and Carl Yastrzemski‘s knees buckle, as the hated New York Yankees win and head to the ALCS. On Wednesday, his son, Cody Dent, on a much smaller stage, ruined short season Red Sox affiliate Lowell Spinners‘ perfect game bid.
Dent was drafted in the 22nd round out of the University of Florida by the Washington Nationals and is currently playing shortstop for the Auburn Doubledays.
Jaime Callahan of the Spinners fanned nine through six perfect innings, then Mike Adams retired the six men he faced in the seventh and eighth. Taylor Grover came into the ballgame in the ninth just three outs away from giving the Spinners a combined perfect game. Grover got the first man out thanks to a great diving play by first baseman Nathan Minnich, then Dent stepped in. And in true Dent fashion he got a bloop single that just made it over the shortstop’s head.
The next batter struck out, meaning had Dent been retired, the Spinners would have successfully completed the perfect game.
There are some real prospects currently shining in Lowell. Manuel Margot has racked up 13 steals in just 32 games and routinely shows up on MILB’s highlight reel for his excellent work in center field but is currently on the DL.
Ty Buttrey, a fourth round pick in the 2012 draft, has shined in his 32+ innings this season with an ERA of just 2.23 and is climbing in the Red Sox’ prospect ranks.
One other prospect making noise in Lowell is 19 year old Taiwanese shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin. Lin is small at just 5-foot-9 and is mainly a defensive prospect, but he does have a decent average, over .250 and has been stealing bases.
These prospects are at least three years from sniffing the big leagues, but there is definitely some talent in the low minors for the Red Sox which is a good sign for continued success for years to come.
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