Cup of Coffee: Salem stars dominate in victory

6/5 Cup of Coffee: While the draft was getting most of the attention, it was a quiet night on the field, with only three games scheduled, one of which was rained out. Salem and the DSL Red Sox both had victories on the day.

Pawtucket’s game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) was postponed due to rain. No makeup date has yet been announced. Pawtucket begins an eight-game homestand tonight, hosting Indianapolis.

Jackie Bradley, Jr. (Kelly O'Connor)

It was a story we're growing accustomed to for Salem as season-long standouts Jackie Bradley, Jr., Travis Shaw and Matt Barnes all had big games, leading the Red Sox to a 10-1 win over the Winston-Salem Dash (CWS). Bradley got Salem started immediately with his a leadoff double in the bottom of the first. After a Shaw walk, Michael Almanzar plated Bradley with a double. Singles by Xander Bogaerts and Drew Hedman scored Shaw and Almanzar, giving the Barnes a 3-0 lead. That was plenty of offense for the right-hander, who was once again dominant, allowing only 4 hits in 6.0 shutout innings, walking 1 and striking out 3. Barnes has pitched at least 6.0 innings while allowing 1 or fewer earned runs in five of his six starts since his promotion to High A at the beginning of May. Jeremiah Bayer followed Barnes, picking up his first save of the season. Bayer allowed 1 run on 2 hits in 3.0 innings pitched, walking 1 and striking out 3. After getting off to the early lead, Salem’s offense did not slow down, adding a pair in the second, another run in the third, three in the sixth and one in the seventh. Bradley finished the night 4 for 5, with the double and two runs scored. Shaw was also on base four times, going 1 for 2 with three walks, a pair of runs scored and a solo home run. Matty Johnson added his first professional home run, going 1 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Salem will meet Winston-Salem again tonight with a chance to take over first place in the Southern Division from the Dash with a victory.

The DSL Red Sox defeated the DSL Mets2 (NYM) by a score of 12-4 to move to 2-0 on the young season. The Red Sox struck for six runs in the second, capitalizing on a six-walk inning to jump out to the early lead. The Mets scored three in the third, but the Red Sox responded with a run in the bottom of the inning when Manuel Margot led off with a walk, stole second, moved up to third on a fly ball, and came in to score on an Alixon Suarez single. In the fifth it was Margot's bat that did the damage, hitting a grand slam to give the Sox an 11-3 lead. The blast was Margot's second home run in as many games. The Mets got one back in the sixth, but the Red Sox again responded, this time with a Roberto Duncan solo home run. Starter Keivin Heras pitched 3.0 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits, but did walk 3 without striking out a batter. Randy Perez picked up the win, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits in 1.0 inning. Ricardo Betancourt pitched 3.0 innings, giving up 1 run on 3 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 3, and Wildyn Florian finished off the Mets with 2.0 perfect innings of work. Margot was again the offensive catalyst, going 1 for 3 with a pair of walks, the grand slam, and 2 stolen bases.

Player of the Night: With credit due to excellent games for Barnes, Shaw and Johnson, the nod goes to Jackie Bradley, Jr. for his 4-for-5 performance. Bradley’s 24 doubles and .498 OBP both lead all of professional baseball.   

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