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June 25, 2015 at 7:00 AM

Cup of Coffee: Johnson sharp again, Espinoza debuts for GCL Sox


6/25 Cup of Coffee: Brian Johnson was in complete command again for the PawSox in a one-run win. Pitching also dominated throughout the rest of the organization yesterday, as Justin Haley, Luis Ramos, Anderson Espinoza, and Roniel Raudes all turned in terrific starts. Rusney Castillo collected two hits in his first game since being sent back down to Pawtucket. The offense for the Spinners and the DSL Red Sox1 broke out in a big way.

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Brian Johnson continued his outstanding season, going the first 6 2/3 innings and gave up just one hit, one walk, and one unearned run. Johnson had a bit of a scare after he ran into a runner and had to come out of the game. Johnson would have stayed in the game, but he is reportedly fine, and will most likely not be starting on Sunday for Boston in place of Joe Kelly, despite speculation. He threw 93 pitches, with 71 of them being strikes. His ERA  is now down to 2.57 on the year. Pat Light came on and allowed zero earned runs in 1 1/3 innings while striking out two. Matt Barnes blew the save in the ninth inning, but the PawSox rallied with some small-ball in the bottom of the 11th to win in walk-off fashion. Quintin Berry led off the inning with a single, which was followed by a bunt single from Rusney Castillo. After a ground out moved Berry to third, Humberto Quintero completed a successful squeeze play, as he brought home Berry with a bunt to the pitcher.

Castillo and Jonathan Roof each had two hits. Shane Victorino went 0 for 2 with a sharp lineout and a ground out in his first rehab game. Noe Ramirez picked up his third win, going the final two innings and allowed no hits or runs.

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The Sea Dogs got a terrific start from right-hander Justin Haley, who tossed six shutout innings. He allowed just four hits and walked none while striking out seven. He left in line for a win, but Miguel Celestino gave up a two-run home run in the seventh to give the Fisher Cats the lead. The Portland offense was unable to get much going, mustering just one run. Luis Martinez had an RBI double and Cole Sturgeon went 2 for 3. Marco Hernandez also continued a hot stretch, going 2 for 4 to raise his batting average to .315 for the season. Jorge Marban, who was called up from Salem earlier this year, continued his impressive season by throwing an inning and allowing an unearned run. His ERA is now 0.57 in 11 games for the Sea Dogs.

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The Spinners continued their hot start to the season by combining great offense with great pitching. Luis Ramos started for Lowell and went six innings. He gave up just one run on six hits and did not walk a batter. He was pitching with a big lead, as the Spinners jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings. Luis Alexander Basabe ripped a two-run triple in the second. Recent ninth round selection Tucker Tubbs cleared the bases with a triple of his own in the second inning as well. Zach Kapstein, Aneudis Peralta, and Victor Acosta also added RBI singles. The Spinners also scored twice on a passed ball. Randy Perez picked up a three-inning save by going the final three innings and allowing no runs on one hit and one walk.

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The GCL Red Sox improved to 3-0 yesterday after defeating the GCL Rays for a third straight day. Anderson Espinoza and his blazing fastball that touches 99 MPH threw four very good innings during his GCL debut. The 17-year old did not allow a run and gave up just three hits. He gave way to Kevin Steen, who tossed four no-hit innings on his way to earning a win. Yankory Pimentel finished it off and earned a save. Raldani Baldwin led the offense for the Red Sox by going 3 for 4 with two RBI. Trent Kemp added a hit and an RBI, and Rafael Oliveras went 2 for 5. Raiwinson Lameda went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks as well.

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The Red Sox offense exploded in this one, banging out 17 hits and 12 runs. The attack was balanced throughout the lineup, as the top four hitters, Dawill Aponte, Reinaldo Ugueto, Hemerson Serven, and Marino Campana combined to go 9 for 22 with four RBI and six runs scored. The number eight and nine hitters, Elwin Tejeda and Keibert Petit combined to go 5 for 10 with four RBI and three runs. Pablo Urena also went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI.

Roniel Raudes was nearly untouchable on the hill. He threw five shutout innings, with 11 of his 15 outs coming via the strikeout out. Edilson Batista and Roberto Medina finished the game off, combining to give up just one unearned run.

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The second DSL Red Sox team took advantage of five Cubs' errors and were able to hold on for a one-run victory, moving them to 16-5 on the season. The Red Sox were able to push across seven runs without the benefit of an extra-base-hit. Lorenzo Cedrola raised his average to .364 by going 2 for 3 with a walk. Juan Barriento, Rafael Toribio, and Juan Hernandez also collected an RBI. Darwinzon Hernandez started and gave up three runs (one earned) in 2 1/3 innings. Nicolo Clemente came on in relief to earn his second win of the season. He went 3 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, giving up just one hit.

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Player of the Night: With all the good pitching, 17-year old Roniel Raudes' performance stood out the most. He gave up just one hit in five shutout innings and did not walk a batter. He also punched out 11 batters despite throwing only five innings.

Photo Credit: Brian Johnson by Kelly O'Connor