Cup of Coffee: Asuaje leads the way as Salem takes two

8/14 Cup of Coffee: It was a full schedule of baseball on Wednesday as the affiliates went 7-1, including a Salem doubleheader sweep. The GCL and DSL Red Sox kept rolling while Pawtucket, Greenville, and Lowell all had one run victories.

-----

Pawtucket Red Sox 4, Gwinnett Braves (ATL) 3 

Edwin Escobar turned in another solid outing, hurling seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk, punching out six. Ryan Verdugo picked up the win, allowing a run on three hits in two innings of relief.

Pawtucket managed just four hits, scoring their first three runs on a Deven Marrero RBI ground out, and sacrifice flies from Alex Hassan and Bryce Brentz. With the game tied 3-3 in the ninth, Blake Swihart delivered with a two-out RBI double to knock home the game's winning run.

-----

Portland Sea Dogs, Akron RubberDucks (CLE) (postponed due to rain)

Wednesday's tilt between the Sea Dogs and Akron was postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader today starting at noon. 

-----

Salem Red Sox 6, Potomac Nationals 3 (WAS) (Game One)

Joe Gunkel improved to 3-4, twirling 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks, striking out eight. Kyle Martin allowed an unearned run on two hits in 1 1/3 innings of relief to collect his ninth save.

Carlos Asuaje (pictured, above) was 2 for 4 with two solo home runs and two runs scored. Jake Romanski was 2 for 3 with a two run home run and an RBI single. 

-----

Salem Red Sox 9, Potomac Nationals 6 (WAS) (Game Two)

The Red Sox used a five run ninth inning to sweep the doubleheader from Potomac. Pat Light received the start for Salem allowing five runs on 10 hits and a walk in 5 1/3 innings. Jonathan Aro picked up his first win with Salem, allowing one run on a hit and a walk in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

Asuaje was active at the plate once again in game two, going 3 for 5 with a triple and two RBI. Reed Gragnani was 1 for 3 with an RBI triple and two walks. Mario Martinez went 3 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI as the Red Sox designated hitter. Dreily Guerrero had a perfect day at the plate from the nine hole, going 3 for 3 with a triple, two runs scored, and an RBI. 

-----

Greenville Drive 4, Rome Braves (ATL) 3

Greenville used some early offense and solid pitching to win the rubber match of their three game series against Rome. Daniel McGrath moved to 5-5 on the season after allowing three runs on six hits and three walks, striking out five in six innings of work. German Taveras hurled three scoreless innings of relief to pick up his third save.

The Drive struck early, getting a two-run home run from Wendell Rijo in the first inning. Manuel Margot continued to stay hot, going 2 for 4 with a double, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Rijo was 2 for 3 with a home run and three stolen bases. 

-----

Lowell Spinners 3,  Brooklyn Cyclones 2 (NYM) (Game One)

Three early runs proved to be all the Spinners needed as they took game one from Brooklyn. Chandler Shepherd received the start for Lowell and tossed three scoreless innings. Williams Jerez, pitching in his first game this season for the Spinners, picked up the victory, allowing two runs on four walks and a hit in two innings of relief. Carlos Pinales collected his 14th save, hurling two innings of relief, allowing two hits and punching out three.

Lowell was just 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base. Cisco Tellez was 1 for 3 with an RBI single. Jordan Procyshen led the Spinners offense with a 2 for 3 showing, collecting a key RBI double in the first inning. 

-----

Brooklyn Cyclones 3, Lowell Spinners 2 (NYM) (Game Two, 8 innings)

A close contest broke Brooklyn's way late as the Spinners dropped the second game of their doubleheader. Reed Reilly hurled five innings, allowing two runs on eight hits in a no decision. Mario Alcantara received the loss, allowing an unearned run on two hits and a walk in two innings of relief.

Danny Mars (pictured,above) was 2 for 4 with an RBI double. Aneudis Peralta led the Spinners offense with a 3 for 4 contest, picking up an RBI. 

-----

GCL Red Sox 15, GCL Orioles 3

It was a big day for the Red Sox at the plate, as they pounded out 15 hits, drew seven walks and blew out the GCL Orioles. Dedgar Jimenez improved to 4-2 as he allowed one run on four hits and a walk, striking out five in five innings of work.

Michael Chavis was 3 for 5 with a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Josh Ockimey was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Luis Alexander Basabe, Victor Acosta, and Jhon Nunez all had two hits and knocked in a run. 

-----

DSL Red Sox 6, DSL Rojos (CIN) 0 

Emmanuel De Jesus improved to 5-5 on the season as he hurled five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out four. Samir El Halaby added two scoreless innings of relief, allowing a walk and a hit while punching out two.

Raiwinson Lameda was 3 for 4 with two RBI in the victory. Luis Yovera was 2 for 4 with a two-run home run. Juan Hernandez was a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate, with three singles and a double. 

-----

Player of the Day: Carlos Asuaje, who went 5 for 9 with two home runs, four RBI, and three runs scored in Salem's doubleheader sweep of Potomac. The 22-year-old infielder has had a breakout 2014 campaign, earning South Atlantic League All-Star honors and hitting a combined .308/.388/.550 with 15 home runs, 12 triples and 89 RBI between Greenville and Salem.

Photo Credit: Carlos Asuaje & Danny Mars by Kelly O'Connor

Tweet