June 2, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Guerra, Dubon power Greenville in slugfest
6/2 Cup of Coffee: After a rainout and a suspension on Saturday, the DSL schedule got it's slightly-delayed start, with the DSL Red Sox1 dropping their first full contest. Greenville came from behind after falling into an early hole, while Salem's game went the other other direction with the Red Sox squandering a six-run lead. Pawtucket opened it's series with Scranton with a victory
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A two-run homer in the eighth inning by Luis Jimenez broke a 3-3 tie to hand Pawtucket its series opener. Jimenez broke a 2-for-34 skid with the blast, his second of the season. Jackie Bradley Jr. and Humberto Quintero also went deep for the PawSox. Bryce Brentz added two hits, a walk, and a pair of runs scored.
Jess Todd got the start, allowing two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out two. Dalier Hinojosa earned the win, allowing an unearned run on two hits in 2 1/3. He struck out three without issuing a walk. Heath Hembree recorded his seventh save by inducing three straight fly outs in the ninth.
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Salem squandered what appeared to be a commanding 8-2 lead in the loss. Veteran lefty Denny Bautista allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3, striking out three and walking one. It was a tough night for Mike Adams, who allowed five runs (three earned) in two innings of relief, surrendering five hits and issuing three walks.
Lost in the Dash comeback was some strong offensive performances by Salem. In his second game since being activated from the disabled list, Manuel Margot was 2 for 5 with a run scored. Jordan Betts, who led Lowell with 10 homers in 2014, hit his first of the 2015 season in the second inning. Wendell Rijo also went deep in the second, a two-run blast with nobody out.
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It was a wild game in Greenville, as the Drive fell behind 5-1 in the second inning, but scored in each of the first six frames to register the comeback victory. Leadoff hitter Mauricio Dubon (pictured) did his job setting the table, going 3 for 4 with a walk, triple, three stolen bases and three runs scored. Javier Guerra continues to flash surprising power, delivering his fifth homer of the year as part of a 2-for-3 effort. Yoan Moncada added a pair of runs as part of a 1-for-3 night. David Sopilka and Cisco Tellez both doubled during their respective two-hit games.
Jeffry Fernandez got off to a rocky start but settled in to get his first win of the season. He allowed six runs on seven hits overall, but also retired nine of the last ten batters he faced to get to five innings. Jamie Callahan allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits in 2 2/3, striking out five without allowing a walk. Mario Alcantara entered with the tying run on second in the eighth, but an out at the plate to end the inning got the Drive out of that jam, and Alcantara followed with a scoreless ninth.
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After being unable to finish Saturday's game due to rain, the DSL squad completed its first full game of the 2015 schedule. Marino Campana and Samuel Miranda had two hits apiece and Luis Yovera was 1 for 4 with a triple, driving in a pair. Starting pitcher Roniel Raudes allowed two runs on three hits in four innings, striking out one without allowing a walk. Shair Lacrus took the loss in relief.
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DSL Red Sox2 8, DSL Brewers 1 (Game 1)
The second DSL team kicked off its season with a doubleheader. Anderson Espinoza, the Venezuelan righty given a $1.8 million bonus last July, was impressive in his professional debut. The 17-year old tossed three shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out three without issuing a walk. Darwinzon Hernandez earned the win, scattering seven hits across three scoreless frames. Stanley Espinal powered the offense, going 2 for 3 with a walk and a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Gerardo Carrizalez and Frieberg Marin also had two hits apiece.
DSL Red Sox2 6, DSL Brewers 5 (Game 2)
A monster game by Juan Barriento carried the team to the sweep. Barriento blasted a two-run homer in the third inning, followed by a game-tying solo shot in the fifth. Starter Denyl Reyes allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits in his four innings, striking out four without a walk. Ritzi Mendoza got the win in relief, giving up a run in two innings, and Victor Diaz picked up the save with a perfect seventh.
The second DSL team kicked off its season with a doubleheader. Anderson Espinoza, the Venezuelan righty given a $1.8 million bonus last July, was impressive in his professional debut. The 17-year old tossed three shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out three without issuing a walk. Darwinzon Hernandez earned the win, scattering seven hits across three scoreless frames. Stanley Espinal powered the offense, going 2 for 3 with a walk and a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Gerardo Carrizalez and Frieberg Marin also had two hits apiece.
DSL Red Sox2 6, DSL Brewers 5 (Game 2)
A monster game by Juan Barriento carried the team to the sweep. Barriento blasted a two-run homer in the third inning, followed by a game-tying solo shot in the fifth. Starter Denyl Reyes allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits in his four innings, striking out four without a walk. Ritzi Mendoza got the win in relief, giving up a run in two innings, and Victor Diaz picked up the save with a perfect seventh.
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Player of the Day: Mauricio Dubon was a dynamo for the Drive. The 20-year-old second baseman was on base four times, via a pair of singles, a triple, and a walk. He scored three runs, and also stole three bases, setting the table from the leadoff spot for Greenville's 14-hit, 10-run attack.
Photo Credit: Mauricio Dubon by Kelly O'Connor