Ramirez outduels Chapman in win

6/13 Cup of Coffee: All eyes were on Daniel Nava's incredible debut with the big club, but one of his former teammates was making waves of his own on a rainy Saturday night in Rhode Island.

With the PawSox facing Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman for the second time in a week, it was spot-starter Ramon A. Ramirez who dominated on the mound in a rain-shortened 1-0 decision over Louisville (CIN). Ramirez fanned the first 6 batters he faced and finished with 8 strikeouts in 5.0 one-hit, shutout innings. The game's only run came when Chapman issued a bases-loaded walk to Jorge Jimenez in the fourth. Chad Paronto pitched retired a batter before the rains came, while Angel Sanchez and Josh Reddick each had 2 hits in the win.

Ryne Miller dug Portland into a hole and the Sea Dogs clawed back, but ultimately fell 12-5 to Akron (CLE). Miller walked 5 and gave up 7 earned on 9 hits in 2.2 innings and Santo Luis kept it close with 3.1 innings of scoreless relief before the Zips scored 3 runs off Mitch Herold to put the game out of reach. Chih-Hsien Chiang extended his hitting streak to 6 games with a two-run home run, while Juan Apodaca and Yamaico Navarro each had 2 hits and a run scored. Ryan Khoury, Nate Spears, and Will Vazquez drove in a run each in the loss.

Salem scored early and often Saturday, giving Brock Huntzinger and Cesar Cabral more than enough support in an 8-1 thumping of Frederick (BAL). Huntzinger held the Keys to 1 run on 6 hits, striking out 4 in 6.1 innings before Cabral fanned 5 in 2.2 innings of hitless, shutout relief. Tim Federowicz and Jon Hee each collected 2 hits, including a two-run home run apiece, to pace the offense, while Mitch Dening scored twice and hit a pair of doubles out of the leadoff spot. Jorge Padron also had 2 hits and an RBI as Salem won for the seventh time in eight tries.

In South Atlantic League action, Kendal Volz continued his impressive season in an 8-3 win over Rome (ATL). Volz went 5.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits to lower his ERA to 3.26. Michael Almanzar went 2 for 5 with a triple and 3 RBI and Derrick Gibson had a pair of hits and 2 RBI for the Drive. Reynaldo Rodriguez added an RBI and Jeremiah Bayer got the win, tossing 3.0 innings of shutout relief. Dennis Neuman allowed a run in the ninth, his first in 14.2 innings.

Player of the Night: Ramon A. Ramirez outdueled Aroldis Chapman, striking out the first 6 batters via swinging strikes en route to an eight-strikeout night Saturday.

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