July 14, 2014 at 8:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Marrero leads PawSox, Spinners fall at Fenway
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It was a slugfest in Toledo, as the PawSox hit their way past the Mud Hens (DET), 13-8. Brandon Workman was hit hard, allowing four runs on 10 hits in five innings. Allen Webster finished the game out of the bullpen, allowing four runs in four innings, walking one and striking out four, while picking up the save.
With their pitching stars struggling, the PawSox offense picked them up, slugging 22 hits on the day. Carlos Rivero went 5 for 6 with two doubles, and Deven Marrero went 4 for 5 with two doubles while driving in six runs. Alex Hassan went 3 for 6 with a double and a three-run home run, his fourth of the year, and Derrik Gibson went 3 for 4.
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The Sea Dogs used a four-run eighth to come back and beat the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR), 7-6. Mike McCarthy got the start, allowing five runs on nine hits in five innings. Pete Ruiz notched his first win of the season with Portland, tossing four innings of one-run ball.
David Chester was the star offensively, going 3 for 4 with a double and a home run. Blake Swihart and Shannon Wilkerson also added home runs, with Wilkerson slugging a double as well. After cutting the lead to one in the eighth, Heiker Meneses hit a two-run single to give Portland its first lead since the first inning. It was the 62nd win of the season for the Sea Dogs, and they are a remarkable 28 games over .500.
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Behind a strong outing from Cody Kukuk, Salem beat the Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC), 5-1. Kukuk threw five shutout innings, walking three and striking out seven, The left-hander improved to 3-6 on the year. William Cuevas picked up the save by going the final four innings, allowing only one run on two hits.
Jantzen Witte and Carson Blair provided production from the middle of the order, with the two players combining for five hits, with each adding a double. Jordan Weems capped off a crazy week by going 2 for 3 with a walk, and he finished the week going 10 for 14 over four games.
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Daniel McGrath pitched well, leading Greenville to an 8-5 win over the Augusta GreenJackets (SFG). McGrath struck out eight over 5 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on five hits. German Taveras allowed a run in his 2 1/3 innings of relief, and Raynel Velette allowed one run in his lone inning of work.
Playing shortstop for just the second time this month, Carlos Asuaje went 2 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Manuel Margot drove in Asuaje both times, and he finished the game 2 for 4 with a caught stealing. Aneudis Peralta also had two hits, including his fifth double of the year.
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Futures at Fenway had a rough ending, as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (CLE) scored six times in the ninth to beat the Spinners, 6-1. Kevin McAvoy went the first two innings, allowing only one hit while striking out two. Simon Mercedes, who is still on a rehab assignment from Salem, went the next five innings, walking one and striking out three while not allowing a run. James Shepherd pitched a scoreless eighth and got two quick outs in the ninth, but the wheels fell off after that. A single followed by three walks tied the game, and he was pulled in favor of Oscar Perez. Perez hit the first batter and then gave up back-to-back doubles, as the game slipped away.
Danny Mars went 2 for 5 with a double, which was the only extra-base hit the Spinners had on the day. Jordan Betts and Mauricio Dubon each had two hits, and Shane Victorino went 0 for 2 with a walk and threw a runner out at home.
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In the All-Star Futures Game in Minnesota, Henry Owens and Sean Coyle left with a victory, as the U.S. Team beat the World Team, 3-2. Owens got the start for the U.S. Team, tossing a scoreless inning while striking out one. Coyle went 0 for 2 as the starting second baseman, and left two men on base.
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Player of the Day: With four hits and six runs driven in, Deven Marrero helped lead Pawtucket to a big victory. Since being moved up from Portland to Pawtucket, Marrero has hit .326/.356/.419. The slick-fielding shortstop has taken a big leap forward with his bat this year, and he has climbed from 16th to seventh in the SoxProspects.com rankings.
Photo Credit: Deven Marrero by Kelly O'Connor
Behind a strong outing from Cody Kukuk, Salem beat the Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC), 5-1. Kukuk threw five shutout innings, walking three and striking out seven, The left-hander improved to 3-6 on the year. William Cuevas picked up the save by going the final four innings, allowing only one run on two hits.
Jantzen Witte and Carson Blair provided production from the middle of the order, with the two players combining for five hits, with each adding a double. Jordan Weems capped off a crazy week by going 2 for 3 with a walk, and he finished the week going 10 for 14 over four games.
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Daniel McGrath pitched well, leading Greenville to an 8-5 win over the Augusta GreenJackets (SFG). McGrath struck out eight over 5 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on five hits. German Taveras allowed a run in his 2 1/3 innings of relief, and Raynel Velette allowed one run in his lone inning of work.
Playing shortstop for just the second time this month, Carlos Asuaje went 2 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Manuel Margot drove in Asuaje both times, and he finished the game 2 for 4 with a caught stealing. Aneudis Peralta also had two hits, including his fifth double of the year.
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Futures at Fenway had a rough ending, as the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (CLE) scored six times in the ninth to beat the Spinners, 6-1. Kevin McAvoy went the first two innings, allowing only one hit while striking out two. Simon Mercedes, who is still on a rehab assignment from Salem, went the next five innings, walking one and striking out three while not allowing a run. James Shepherd pitched a scoreless eighth and got two quick outs in the ninth, but the wheels fell off after that. A single followed by three walks tied the game, and he was pulled in favor of Oscar Perez. Perez hit the first batter and then gave up back-to-back doubles, as the game slipped away.
Danny Mars went 2 for 5 with a double, which was the only extra-base hit the Spinners had on the day. Jordan Betts and Mauricio Dubon each had two hits, and Shane Victorino went 0 for 2 with a walk and threw a runner out at home.
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In the All-Star Futures Game in Minnesota, Henry Owens and Sean Coyle left with a victory, as the U.S. Team beat the World Team, 3-2. Owens got the start for the U.S. Team, tossing a scoreless inning while striking out one. Coyle went 0 for 2 as the starting second baseman, and left two men on base.
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Player of the Day: With four hits and six runs driven in, Deven Marrero helped lead Pawtucket to a big victory. Since being moved up from Portland to Pawtucket, Marrero has hit .326/.356/.419. The slick-fielding shortstop has taken a big leap forward with his bat this year, and he has climbed from 16th to seventh in the SoxProspects.com rankings.
Photo Credit: Deven Marrero by Kelly O'Connor