August 19, 2014 at 7:36 AM
Cup of Coffee: Top picks Chavis and Kopech key GCL Sox win
8/19 Cup of Coffee: Only three affiliates were in action on Monday and the arms were in control, allowing a total of only four runs on the day. The DSL Red Sox clinched a tie for the division with their blowout victory. The Red Sox top two selections in the 2014 draft played key roles in the GCL Red Sox win, while Pawtucket failed to capitalize on several scoring opportunities in a shutout loss.
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The PawSox squandered several opportunities, failing to take advantage of the eight walks issued by Scranton pitching. Alex Hassan (pictured) had two of the three PawSox hits, and added a walk and a double. Ryan Lavarnway did not record an out, walking three times and hitting a single in his only official at-bat. Jackie Bradley, Jr., optioned to the PawSox earlier in the day, continues to struggle to get on track. The center fielder went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts.
On the mound, Edwin Escobar was the tough-luck loser. The left-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings. He struck out two but walked four. Despite issuing a pair of walks, Drake Britton had his first scoreless appearance in two weeks, striking out one and allowing two hits in two frames. Dalier Hinojosa struck out the side mixed with a pair of hits in a scoreless ninth.
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The Sox bolstered their playoff hopes with a win over the second-place Rays. First-round pick Michael Chavis ripped a two-run single in the first inning that accounted for all of the Red Sox scoring. With the hit, Chavis has now hit in nine straight games, going 13 for 31 during that stretch. He has reached safely in 17 in a row. Ben Moore also had a good day at the plate, going 2 for 2 with a walk and run scored.
Michael Kopech, Boston's second pick, got the start and tossed two shutout innings. He allowed two hits and struck out three while walking a pair. Carlos Garcia tossed a shutout inning, and Michael Gunn followed with a shutout frame in his professional debut. The win went to Javier Rodriguez, who advanced to 8-0 on the season. Rodriguez allowed the lone Rays run, the first he has surrendered since July 12, on three hits over three innings. His four strikeouts give him the team lead on the season with 31, and he has been the winning pitcher in over one-quarter of the GCL Red Sox victories. Keivin Heras picked up the save with two scoreless innings. Heras remains unscored upon across 24 1/3 in 2014.
The win puts the Red Sox two games ahead of the Rays for first place in the South Division. The team has 11 games remaining, including three more head-to-head against the Rays.
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With the win, the Red Sox have clinched a tie for first place in the Boca Chica South Division. Starter Jhonathan Diaz earned the win, allowing one run on three hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out one. Algenis Martinez fired four shutout innings of relief, surrendering only one hit. Yoan Aybar had his second straight three-hit game, adding a double and run scored. Raiwinson Lameda has been the team's hottest hitter, and continued the trend by going 2 for 5 with an RBI. He raised his average to .318 for the season, and his hitting .365/.405/.462 over his last 25 games. Carlos Tovar added an insurance run with a solo homer in the ninth, his second of the season.
The Sox can clinch the division with another win over the second-place Giants today. They have an excellent 48-18 record and a commanding five-game lead in the division with five games remaining.
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Player of the Day: Despite his team getting blanked, Alex Hassan had an excellent day at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Hassan was hitting only .217/.318/.303 at the beginning of June, but has been Pawtucket's best player since, raising his season line to .282/.374/.433.
Photo Credit: Alex Hassan by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Alex Hassan by Kelly O'Connor