July 25, 2015 at 7:01 AM
Cup of Coffee: Tejeda's big night pushes Portland past Fisher Cats
7/25 Cup of Coffee: Offense helped Portland and Salem pick up victories Friday, while Pawtucket, Greenville, and Lowell all were on the losing end of things. The DSL squads earned a split, and the GCL Sox were rained out.
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Zeke Spruill fell to 4-6 despite allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks in six innings of work. Edwin Escobar followed Spruill and tossed two scoreless innings of relief. The PawSox were shutout the first eight innings, but attempted a comeback in the ninth. Back-to-back singles by Rusney Castillo and Travis Shaw started off the final frame. Humberto Quintero attempted to move both runners along with a bunt, but was called out on batter interference. A wild pitch moved both runners up, and Garin Cecchini drove home a run with a sacrifice fly. The rally would fizzle as Marco Hernandez ended the game with a strikeout.
With the loss, the PawSox have lost six straight and are just 3-17 in the month of July.
With the loss, the PawSox have lost six straight and are just 3-17 in the month of July.
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Offense was the name of the game for the Sea Dogs as they compiled an impressive 21 hit, 10 run performance to tame the Fisher Cats. Mike McCarthy improved to 5-4, allowing just one run on five hits and three walks in five innings of work. Portland got things going in the second inning, pushing across five runs on RBI singles from Oscar Tejada (pictured,above) and Carlos Asauje, RBI doubles from David Chester and Manuel Margot, as well as a run scoring error. In the third, Chester would bring home two runs on an RBI single. RBI singles from Tejeda and Tim Roberson in the fourth, capped the Sea Dogs scoring for the evening.
Ever member of Portland's lineup had at least one hit, with seven out of nine starters recording multi-hit performances. Tejeda was a perfect 4 for 4 with a double, walk, stolen base, two runs scored, and two RBI.
Ever member of Portland's lineup had at least one hit, with seven out of nine starters recording multi-hit performances. Tejeda was a perfect 4 for 4 with a double, walk, stolen base, two runs scored, and two RBI.
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Trey Ball evened his record to 8-8 on the season as he allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk, striking out four, in five innings of work. Kyle Kaminska and Chandler Shepherd each added two innings of scoreless relief. The Red Sox bullpen has not allowed a run in its last 15 2/3 innings. Down 2-0 in the first, Salem responded with three runs, all brought home on Kevin Heller's RBI double. In the third, the Red Sox took a 6-3 lead, thanks to a run scoring wild pitch and a two-run home run from Cole Sturgeon. Zach Kapstein's RBI single in the fourth helped pad the lead, 7-3. Scoring was capped in the eighth as Salem was gifted another run on a wild pitch, and Kapstein added a sacrifice fly.
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Making his second start in a Greenville uniform, Ben Taylor picked up his first professional loss, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in three innings. Jamie Callahan relieved Taylor, allowing five runs on six hits in just two innings out of the bullpen. Down 4-0 in the fifth, the Drive got on the board with a solo home run from Yoan Moancada. In the ninth, Greenville put together a rally, culminating in a Michael Chavis RBI single that brought home two. The loss extends the Drive's losing streak to 6, leaving them 1.5 games back of Savannah in the division.
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Jake Cosart received the start, hurling five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks, striking out five. Enfember Martinez took the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Down 2-0 in the fifth, the Spinners would tie things up thanks to an RBI single from Hector Lorenzana and a run scoring error. Lowell bats would remain quiet until the bottom of the ninth, when Jordon Austin laced an RBI double. For Auburn, Mariano Rivera, the son of the great Yankees closer, picked up his first professional save.
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GCL Red Sox, GCL Twins (Postponed)
The contest between the Red Sox and the Twins was postponed due to rain.
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DSL Red Sox1 6, DSL Twins 2
Roniel Raudes pitched well, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk, striking out six in five innings of work. Shair Lacrus picked up the save for his four innings of relief, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk while punching out four. Eddy Reynoso laced his third home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning. Elwin Tejeda and Luis Yovera both had two hits and an RBI to lead the Red Sox offense.
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DSL Marlins 6, DSL Red Sox2 4
A massive five run eighth inning helped the Marlins push past the Red Sox. Denyi Reyes continued to pitch well for the Red Sox, allowing just an unearned run on two hits and a walk in his five inning start. Marcos Lantigua allowed three runs on one hit and four walks in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Jervis Torrealba took the loss, allowing two runs on a hit and a walk in 1 1/3 innings of relief. The Red Sox were gifted nine walks, but had just one extra base hit and were 3 for 22 with runners in scoring position. Overall, the Red Sox left 15 men on base, as they could not get a clutch hit.
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Player of the Night: Oscar Tejeda, who was 4 for 4 with a double, walk, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in Portland's 10-4 win over New Hampshire. The 25-year-old third baseman raised his batting average 11 points from .246 to .257 with the impressive performance. Tejeda's big evening came against three southpaws, whom he has enjoyed great success against this season. Against left-handers this season, Tejeda is hitting .333/.387/.504 opposed to .232/.261/.294 against right-handers.
Photo Credit: Oscar Tejeda by Kelly O'Connor
The contest between the Red Sox and the Twins was postponed due to rain.
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DSL Red Sox1 6, DSL Twins 2
Roniel Raudes pitched well, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk, striking out six in five innings of work. Shair Lacrus picked up the save for his four innings of relief, allowing just one run on two hits and a walk while punching out four. Eddy Reynoso laced his third home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning. Elwin Tejeda and Luis Yovera both had two hits and an RBI to lead the Red Sox offense.
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DSL Marlins 6, DSL Red Sox2 4
A massive five run eighth inning helped the Marlins push past the Red Sox. Denyi Reyes continued to pitch well for the Red Sox, allowing just an unearned run on two hits and a walk in his five inning start. Marcos Lantigua allowed three runs on one hit and four walks in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Jervis Torrealba took the loss, allowing two runs on a hit and a walk in 1 1/3 innings of relief. The Red Sox were gifted nine walks, but had just one extra base hit and were 3 for 22 with runners in scoring position. Overall, the Red Sox left 15 men on base, as they could not get a clutch hit.
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Player of the Night: Oscar Tejeda, who was 4 for 4 with a double, walk, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in Portland's 10-4 win over New Hampshire. The 25-year-old third baseman raised his batting average 11 points from .246 to .257 with the impressive performance. Tejeda's big evening came against three southpaws, whom he has enjoyed great success against this season. Against left-handers this season, Tejeda is hitting .333/.387/.504 opposed to .232/.261/.294 against right-handers.
Photo Credit: Oscar Tejeda by Kelly O'Connor