April 23, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Dahlstrand cruises again in Salem's win
4/23 Cup of Coffee: Jacob Dahlstrand (pictured) continued his impressive start to the season, going seven strong innings, allowing just one unearned run in Salem's win Wednesday afternoon. Michael Chavis collected two more hits in Greenville's win, while Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz stayed hot for Pawtucket.
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Despite 10 strikeouts for knuckleballer Stephen Wright, the PawSox fell to the Buffalo Bisons yesterday afternoon. Pawtucket grabbed a run in the bottom of the first when center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. singled and scored on a double by designated hitter Bryce Brentz. Wright cruised through two innings, but ran into trouble in the third, yielding three runs to Buffalo. He gave up another three runs in the fifth, and ended his day giving up nine hits, six runs (five earned), and three walks in six innings. The Pawtucket offense struggled, mustering just one hit after the fifth inning. Bradley Jr. went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs and Brentz collected two doubles on the day. Bradley Jr. added an outfield assist.
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New Britain Rock Cats (COL) 10, Portland Sea Dogs 8
Portland's pitching staff was roughed up, as the Sea Dogs came up short in a slugfest despite a ninth inning rally. Luis Diaz started for the Sea Dogs and lasted just 4 2/3 innings and was tagged for nine hits and seven runs (five earned). Pat Light came on in relief and wasn't much better, giving up three earned runs in three innings. Portland scored the first three runs of the game, led by designated hitter David Chester's first long ball of the season. They also scored the final three runs of the game in the ninth inning, but fell two runs short. Six Sea Dogs had multiple hit games, highlighted by left fielder Oscar Tejada's 3-for-5 day. First baseman Jantzen Witte went 2 for 5, raising his average to .349.
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Salem Red Sox 4, Myrtle Beach Pelicans (CHC) 1
Salem right-handed pitcher Jacob Dahlstrand picked up his third win in as many starts on the season. After allowing an unearned run in the first inning, he breezed through seven innings and gave up just three hits and no runs, without surrendering a walk. His ERA is now a sparkling 0.95 in 19 innings this season. The Red Sox scored twice in the second with an RBI double from designated hitter Jordan Weems and an RBI single from shortstop Jose Vinicio. Second baseman Hector Lorenzana added a run-scoring single in the sixth, and center fielder Manuel Margot walked twice and swiped two bases, giving him a total of five on the season. Kyle Kraus pitched two scoreless innings in relief and earned the save.
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Greenville Drive 7, Lexington Legends (KC) 3
Big offensive days from first baseman Cisco Tellez and third baseman Michael Chavis led the Drive to a 7-3 victory. They each went 2 for 4 with two RBI, and Tellez homered and doubled. The Drive trailed 3-2 after six, but rallied for two runs in the seventh and three in the eight to pull away. Jamie Callahan turned in a solid outing, going five innings and allowing two earned runs. Carlos Pinales and Kuehl McEachern combined for four innings of one-run ball to close out the game. Shortstop Mauricio Dubon picked up a pair of hits and is now batting .367 in 2015.
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Player of the Night: Jacob Dahlstrand had a great 2014 season, posting a 2.93 ERA for Greenville and a 2.81 ERA for Salem. The 2010 draft pick has continued that success so far in 2015, as he is now 3-0 with a 0.95 ERA. He turned in seven great innings yesterday against Myrtle Beach.
Photo Credit: Jacob Dahlstrand by Kelly O'Connor