Cup of Coffee: As the Kevin Youkilis era ends, the Deven Marrero era begins

6/25 Cup of Coffee: Some of the system's top position prospects had big days, including Deven Marrero who made his professional debut. 

Pawtucket's losing streak has now reached seven games after a 2-0 loss to the Louisville Bats (CIN). Doug Mathis started for the PawSox and threw 6.0 innings allowing two runs on five hits. Daniel Bard followed him and started off strong, throwing a scoreless seventh while allowing only a two-out single. After quickly getting the first two outs in the eighth, the wheels fell off, as Bard walked the next three batters and also uncorked a wild pitch. Junichi Tazawa came on with the bases loaded and got a strikeout to bail out his fellow reliever. Pawtucket only managed three hits on the day, a double and single from Mauro Gomez, and a double from Alex Hassan. Gomez finished 2 for 3 with a walk. 

Ryan Dent

Portland's version of the "Killer B's" helped the Sea Dogs best the Trenton Thunder (NYY), 6-5. After two singles and a home run gave the Thunder a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning, Portland answered right back. Bryce Brentz singled, Dan Butler walked, and both came in to score on a Matt Spring double. Portland tied the game in the fourth when Brentz scored on a wild pitch, and took the lead in the sixth when Butler scored on a Derick Gibson single. After allowing two runs without getting an out in the seventh, Sea Dog starter Chris Hernandez was lifted from the game. He tossed 6.0 innings allowing five runs, four earned, while surrendering seven hits. Down by one in the eighth, Portland wasted no time getting back on top, as Gibson tripled and came in on a Ryan Dent go-ahead home run. Brock Huntzinger pitched a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season. Brentz went 2 for 4 with a double and outfield assist, Butler went 1 for 2 with three walks, and Jackie Bradley, Jr. continued to hit his stride in Double-A, going 2 for 5.

Salem had one of its most dominating games of the year, easily dispatching the Winston-Salem Dash (CWS) with a 7-0 victory. Brandon Workman continued his strong season, throwing 7.0 shutout innings while allowing only three base runners. He faced one over the minimum thanks to two double plays. In the top of the third, Travis Shaw hit an RBI single and came in to score on Xander Bogaerts' 11th home run of the season. The 11 home runs tied him with Shaw for the team lead, but Shaw hit a home run of his own in the fifth to regain the lead. Bogaerts went 2 for 3 with two walks to continue his scorching June, while Shaw went 2 for 4 with a walk.

In a rain-shortened game, the Charleston RiverDogs (NYY) finally got the best of the Drive, beating them 7-5. The RiverDogs got to Drive starter Luis Diaz early and often, chasing him from the game after he allowed five runs in 3.0 innings. The Drive hit four doubles in the fourth inning, scoring four times to get back into the game. Jordan Weems, Keury De La Cruz, and Boss Moanaroa all collected an RBI in the inning. Mason Williams led off the top of the sixth with a home run for the RiverDogs, and the game was called shortly after he crossed the plate. 

Brandon Workman
(Kelly O'Connor)

Lowell dropped its first series of the season, falling to the Vermont Lake Monsters (OAK), 7-2. Thanks to two errors by Mookie Betts, who slid over to second base for the game to make room for Jose Iglesias at shortstop, the Lake Monsters scored four times in the first inning. Spinners starter Zachary Good pitched better than his line, as only one of the four runs he allowed was earned. He finished throwing 5.0 innings allowing only two hits while walking three and striking out two. Marrero did not have to wait long to collect his first professional hit, leading off the bottom of the first with a single to left field. He moved to third on an Iglesias double and scored on a wild pitch. The Spinners tacked on another run in the fifth on a David Chester double, but the Lake Monsters plated three more runs in the eighth to pull away. Marrero went 2 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout in his debut, Chester went 3 for 4 with two doubles, and Iglesias went 1 for 5 with a double. It appears as if Iglesias' back injury did not affect his defense, as our Executive Editor Chris Hatfield seemed impressed with his glove-work.

Player of the Day: Brandon Workman was dominant for Salem, tossing 7.0 shutout innings. His ERA now sits at 2.78 on the season, and over his past 30.0 innings, he has allowed four runs on 16 hits, walking five and striking out 20. That is good for a 1.20 ERA and 0.70 WHIP. If the 23-year-old continues to pitch like this, he will be joining former teammate Jackie Bradley, Jr. in Portland. 

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