June 19, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Buttrey shines again, DSL offense explodes
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On a night where there was little to write home about on the pitching side for Pawtucket, Garin Cecchini finally broke out at the pate. Cecchini went 4 for 5 with a pair of solo shots and three runs scored to get his batting average over .200 for the first time since May 22. Deven Marrero fared well at the plate too, going 3 for 5. Jackie Bradley, Jr., who currently has the most votes in the International League All-Star Game voting, went 0 for 5.
It was a rough night at the office for just about every Pawtucket pitcher. Starter Keith Couch lasted just 2/3 of an inning. Couch walked four batters in the opening frame and gave up five runs on three hits before he was pulled in favor of Dalier Hinojosa who faired only slightly better. Edwin Escobar was rocked in his third appearance of the season, giving up a three-run home run in the sixth. He allowed five earned runs on four hits and two walks in one inning. Pat Light faced his first struggles at the Triple-A level, giving up a two-out, two-run single in the eighth. Only Matt Barnes escaped unscathed, striking out all five batters he faced in relief.
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It was a frustrating night on offense for Portland, which left 11 men on base and went 0 for 14 with runners in scoring position. Left fielder Jonathan Roof went 3 for 4 with a double. Right fielder Aneury Tavarez drove in Portland's lone run with a solo home run in the seventh. William Cuevas dropped to 6-4 with the loss, going 4 1/3 innings with five earned runs on eight hits, two walks, five strikeouts and a home run allowed.
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Ty Buttrey continued the dominant run he has been on in 2015 with yet another quality start and win. In his seventh start for Salem, Buttrey improved to 5-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.93. He lasted seven innings, giving up one run on four hits, while striking out four and walking two.
Manuel Margot and Tzu-Wei Lin provided pop at the top of the Salem lineup. Margot went 2 for 4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Lin had a 2-for-5 night with a pair of runs batted in. Kevin Heller drove in a pair on a two-run double in the seventh.
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Greenville Drive 4, Greensboro Grasshoppers (MIA) 3
Michael Kopech continued his trend of short, but effective outings this season. Kopech went in a 4 2/3-innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits while striking out four and walking a pair. Kuehl McEachern earned the win in relief with 3 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Michael Chavis showed signs of life at the plate, going 2 for 4 with one RBI. Joseph Monge and Javier Guerra also each drove in a run. Yoan Moncada had the night off.
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DSL Giants (SFG) 6, DSL Red Sox1
Red Sox hitters struggled against the Giants starter, scattering five singles and a lone extra base hit. Shortstop Reinaldo Ugueto and catcher Samuel Miranda each had a pair of hits. Ugueto had the lone double of the game and scored the team's only run. Right-handed starter Roniel Raudes went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits, while striking out three and walking none.
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DSL Red Sox2 21, DSL Tigers (DET) 4 (7 inn.)
The second Red Sox DSL team exploded for 21 runs on 21 hits, without the benefit of a home run. Left fielder Juan Barriento came up a home run shy of the cycle, going 4 for 5 with four RBI and three runs scored on a double, a triple, two singles and a walk. Third baseman Stanley Espinal was 3 for 5 with three RBI and three runs scored, while second baseman Rafael Toribio also went 3 for 5 with three RBI and four runs scored, while already swiping his 10th stolen base of the young season. Four different Red Sox players had a stolen base.
Highly-regarded 17-year-old right hander Anderson Espinoza allowed four runs, one earned, on seven hits. He also struck out seven and walked none. His ERA sits at 1.20 in four starts this year. Jervis Torrealba pitched two perfect innings of relief, striking out five of the six batters he faced.
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Player of the Night: Ty Buttrey continues to dazzle in 2015, with his sixth quality start of the year. The 2012 fourth-round draft pick has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his starts for Salem - and he only allowed that many in his very first start at the High-A level. Batters are hitting just .208 against Buttrey and his WHIP is an impressive 1.10. Between Greenville and Salem, Buttrey has struck out 55 in 64 innings pitched.
Photo Credit: Ty Buttrey by Kelly O'Connor
Michael Kopech continued his trend of short, but effective outings this season. Kopech went in a 4 2/3-innings and allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits while striking out four and walking a pair. Kuehl McEachern earned the win in relief with 3 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Michael Chavis showed signs of life at the plate, going 2 for 4 with one RBI. Joseph Monge and Javier Guerra also each drove in a run. Yoan Moncada had the night off.
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DSL Giants (SFG) 6, DSL Red Sox1
Red Sox hitters struggled against the Giants starter, scattering five singles and a lone extra base hit. Shortstop Reinaldo Ugueto and catcher Samuel Miranda each had a pair of hits. Ugueto had the lone double of the game and scored the team's only run. Right-handed starter Roniel Raudes went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits, while striking out three and walking none.
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DSL Red Sox2 21, DSL Tigers (DET) 4 (7 inn.)
The second Red Sox DSL team exploded for 21 runs on 21 hits, without the benefit of a home run. Left fielder Juan Barriento came up a home run shy of the cycle, going 4 for 5 with four RBI and three runs scored on a double, a triple, two singles and a walk. Third baseman Stanley Espinal was 3 for 5 with three RBI and three runs scored, while second baseman Rafael Toribio also went 3 for 5 with three RBI and four runs scored, while already swiping his 10th stolen base of the young season. Four different Red Sox players had a stolen base.
Highly-regarded 17-year-old right hander Anderson Espinoza allowed four runs, one earned, on seven hits. He also struck out seven and walked none. His ERA sits at 1.20 in four starts this year. Jervis Torrealba pitched two perfect innings of relief, striking out five of the six batters he faced.
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Player of the Night: Ty Buttrey continues to dazzle in 2015, with his sixth quality start of the year. The 2012 fourth-round draft pick has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his starts for Salem - and he only allowed that many in his very first start at the High-A level. Batters are hitting just .208 against Buttrey and his WHIP is an impressive 1.10. Between Greenville and Salem, Buttrey has struck out 55 in 64 innings pitched.
Photo Credit: Ty Buttrey by Kelly O'Connor