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August 28, 2014 at 8:00 AM

Cup of Coffee: Asuaje leads Salem to doubleheader split


8/28 Cup of Coffee: It proved to be a down day on the farm as the affiliates were only able to bring home two victories. Salem split a doubleheader against Frederick, while the GCL Sox exploded for 14 runs against the Orioles. Elsewhere, offense was at a premium as Pawtucket, Portland and Greenville all had weak nights at the plate. Lowell lost in heartbreaking fashion in Connecticut as their playoff hopes were further trimmed.  

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It was a quiet night at the plate for the PawSox, who collected just five hits on the evening. Garin Cecchini was 2 for 3, including an RBI single in the ninth inning, to lead the Pawtucket offense. Steven Wright dropped to 5-5 after allowing five runs on 12 hits and two walks in six innings of work. Miguel Celestino added two perfect innings of relief, striking out three. 

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Keith Couch fell to 8-2 as he allowed five runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. Aaron Kurcz added 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out a pair. Robby Scott added a scoreless inning out of the bullpen, also striking out two.

The Sea Dogs plated both of their runs on RBI ground outs from David Chester and Michael Brenly. The team was 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position, leaving nine men on base. Despite the loss, Portland's magic number to clinch the Eastern League's East Division fell to three with a loss by second place Binghamton (NYM)

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Heri Quevedo took the loss as he allowed three runs on three hits and three walks, striking out five across five innings of work. Nate Reed tossed a 1-2-3 sixth inning in relief.

Despite collecting more hits than Frederick, the Red Sox plated their only run of the contest in the third inning on a Carlos Asuaje (pictured, above) RBI single. Of note, Matty Johnson stole his 40th base of the season, good for second in the Carolina League.
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Despite going just 2 for 15 with runners in scoring position, Salem chipped away at an early 4-1 deficit to take home a 5-4 victory. William Cuevas tossed 3 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits, striking out three. Madison Younginer added 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Matty Ott collected his third save for a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

Asuaje was 4 for 4 with three doubles, a run scored and an RBI to pace the Red Sox offense. Jose Vinicio went 2 for 2 with with an RBI. Johnson added an RBI triple from the leadoff spot, driving in two runs. 
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It was a down night for the Drive as they mustered just three hits, including a 2-for-4 night from Sam Travis, as they were shut out. Ty Buttrey fell to 0-5, allowing five runs on nine hits, striking out eight in five innings of work. Myles Smith added three innings of relief, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk, striking out three.

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Kevin McAvoy continued to pitch well, hurling three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three. Kuehl McEachern threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out a pair. Carlos Pinales was handed a 3-1 lead in the ninth, but failed to record an out as he blew his second save of the season. Pinales allowed a walk-off game winning grand slam, which further dampened the Spinners playoff chances. The team's elimination number is now one, following a victory by Brooklyn (NYM).

Raymel Flores led the Spinners offense by going 3 for 5 a run scored and two RBI. Mauricio Dubon went 2 for 5 with a run scored. 

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In a game which proved to be an offensive clinic, the Red Sox collected 14 hits and ten walks on route to a 14-8 drubbing of the GCL Orioles. Luis Ramos picked up the victory for the GCL, tossing four scoreless innings of relief, allowing just three hits, striking out four.

Javier Guerra (pictured, right) had a big day, going 3 for 6 with a grand slam and five runs batted in. Rafael Oliveras also collected three hits, knocking in a run and scoring twice. Trenton Kemp and Jeremy Rivera each had two hits, including a double. Simon Gravel went 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI as the team's designated hitter. 

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Player of the Day: Carlos Asuaje, who was 5 for 7 with three doubles and two RBI as the Salem Red Sox split a doubleheader against Frederick. The 22-year-old third baseman hasn't missed a beat since being promoted from Low-A Greenville, hitting .348/.409/.563 with four home runs and 23 RBI in 33 games. In total, Asuaje is having a breakout year, hitting .317/.396/.548 with 15 home runs, 96 RBI and 12 triples in 123 games between Greenville and Salem. 

Photo Credit: Carlos Asuaje & Javier Guerra by Kelly O'Connor.