August 7, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Cuevas solid in PawSox debut, takes loss
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The only major blemishes on the night for William Cuevas in his Pawtucket debut were a pair of solo home runs. The offense could not support him, however, as Cuevas suffered the loss. He lasted seven innings, allowing the two solo shots and four hits total. Cuevas struck out five and walked two. The PawSox actually outhit Syracuse 8-6, but stranded seven runners and grounded into a pair of crucial double plays. Garin Cecchini went 2 for 4 with a double out of the cleanup spot.
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Sea Dogs pitching was rocked for 10 runs on 12 hits and six walks in a lopsided loss. After a quiet first four innings, the wheels fell off in the fifth for starter Justin Haley, who suffered his 13th loss. Erie scored six runs in the fifth off of Haley and reliever Simon Mercedes. Aneury Tavarez drove in Portland's lone run, going 1 for 4.
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Salem pitching was solid in a tight win against Frederick, working its way out of a few jams. Kevin McAvoy lasted 5 1/3 innings, earning his seventh win. He allowed one run on four hits, while striking out seven and walking four. Mike Adams allowed a solo home run in the ninth, but picked up his sixth save for Salem. SoxProspects.com's Player of the Month Kevin Heller was at the plate for all three of Salem's runs. He drove in two on RBI groundouts, while Mauricio Dubon was credited with a steal of home on a double steal with Heller at the plate.
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Greenville Drive vs. Lexington Legends (PPD.)
Greenville and Lexington will play a doubleheader on Friday to make up for Thursday's rainout.
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Connecticut Tigers (DET) 7, Lowell Spinners 2
Lowell pitchers were roughed up to the tune of seven runs on 13 hits on Thursday. Dioscar Romero was lifted after just two-plus innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He struck out one and did not walk any batters. Victor Acosta had Lowell's only RBI and only extra-base hit, going 2 for 4 with a double. Andrew Benintendi and Tate Matheny each went 0 for 4.
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GCL Red Sox 7, GCL Rays 4
Gerson Bautista was solid again for the GCL Sox, picking up his second win. He lasted five innings, allowing a run on just two hits, while striking out five and walking two. Since a disastrous start on July 17, Bautista has allowed just one run in 15 innings pitched over three starts. The rehabbing Sean Coyle went 3 for 5 with a double and one RBI and two runs scored. First baseman Jerry Downs went 2 for 3 with three runs scored and a pair of walks. Left fielder Trent Kemp went 1 for 5 with a pair of RBI and two stolen bases.
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DSL Red Sox1 6, DSL Rockies 3
Junior Espinoza continues to trend in a positive direction for the first DSL team. The 17-year-old righty picked up his first win of the season after two tough-luck losses and two no-decisions. He went five innings, allowing one earned run on just two hits, including a solo home run. He struck out six and walked three and lowered his ERA to 4.53. Willis Figueroa went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a walk and one RBI out of the leadoff spot. He also stole three bases, bringing his season total to 13. Hemerson Serven went 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored and a pair of RBI.
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DSL Cubs 6, DSL Red Sox2 2
Right fielder Juan Hernandez had a solid night at the plate for the second DSL team, but he provided about the only highlights. He went 2 for 3 with the Sox lone RBI and stole a pair of bases. Lorenzo Cedrola went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Victor Garcia took the loss with two innings of work. He allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out one and walking three.
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Player of the Night: William Cuevas has quietly put together a solid season, with Thursday's excellent start for Pawtucket his latest achievement. Cuevas was the starting pitcher for the East Division in the Eastern League All-Star Game held at Portland's Hadlock Field. Cuevas was 8-5 with a 3.40 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 41 walks in 95 1/3 innings for Portland before being promoted to Triple-A. Despite struggling for two years in Salem, Cuevas has run with his promotion thus far in 2015.
Photo Credit: William Cuevas by Kelly O'Connor
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Greenville Drive vs. Lexington Legends (PPD.)
Greenville and Lexington will play a doubleheader on Friday to make up for Thursday's rainout.
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Connecticut Tigers (DET) 7, Lowell Spinners 2
Lowell pitchers were roughed up to the tune of seven runs on 13 hits on Thursday. Dioscar Romero was lifted after just two-plus innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He struck out one and did not walk any batters. Victor Acosta had Lowell's only RBI and only extra-base hit, going 2 for 4 with a double. Andrew Benintendi and Tate Matheny each went 0 for 4.
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GCL Red Sox 7, GCL Rays 4
Gerson Bautista was solid again for the GCL Sox, picking up his second win. He lasted five innings, allowing a run on just two hits, while striking out five and walking two. Since a disastrous start on July 17, Bautista has allowed just one run in 15 innings pitched over three starts. The rehabbing Sean Coyle went 3 for 5 with a double and one RBI and two runs scored. First baseman Jerry Downs went 2 for 3 with three runs scored and a pair of walks. Left fielder Trent Kemp went 1 for 5 with a pair of RBI and two stolen bases.
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DSL Red Sox1 6, DSL Rockies 3
Junior Espinoza continues to trend in a positive direction for the first DSL team. The 17-year-old righty picked up his first win of the season after two tough-luck losses and two no-decisions. He went five innings, allowing one earned run on just two hits, including a solo home run. He struck out six and walked three and lowered his ERA to 4.53. Willis Figueroa went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, a walk and one RBI out of the leadoff spot. He also stole three bases, bringing his season total to 13. Hemerson Serven went 2 for 5 with a double, a run scored and a pair of RBI.
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DSL Cubs 6, DSL Red Sox2 2
Right fielder Juan Hernandez had a solid night at the plate for the second DSL team, but he provided about the only highlights. He went 2 for 3 with the Sox lone RBI and stole a pair of bases. Lorenzo Cedrola went 2 for 5 with a stolen base. Victor Garcia took the loss with two innings of work. He allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out one and walking three.
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Player of the Night: William Cuevas has quietly put together a solid season, with Thursday's excellent start for Pawtucket his latest achievement. Cuevas was the starting pitcher for the East Division in the Eastern League All-Star Game held at Portland's Hadlock Field. Cuevas was 8-5 with a 3.40 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 41 walks in 95 1/3 innings for Portland before being promoted to Triple-A. Despite struggling for two years in Salem, Cuevas has run with his promotion thus far in 2015.
Photo Credit: William Cuevas by Kelly O'Connor