April 11, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Luis Alex. Basabe, Ockimey, Devers all homer
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After breezing through the first two innings, PawSox starter William Cuevas hit trouble in the third, allowing four runs. He ended up taking the loss after five innings of work, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks, while striking out four. Right-hander Jorge Marban tossed two shutout innings in his season debut, punching out two and not allowing a hit. Pat Light also made his first appearance of the season and struggled, allowing two runs, including a home run, and two walks in his only inning of work. Kyle Martin pitched the ninth inning and struck out three, but allowed three hits and a run.
The Pawtucket offense was stymied for most of the day. Designated hitter Christian Vazquez was one of the few bright spots, going 3 for 4 with an RBI. He is now 6 for 9 with three walks on the young season. Left fielder Allen Craig added a double and a walk.
Check out SoxProspects.com's Managing Editor Matt Huegel's twitter feed for some more details on the loss.
Photo Credit: Luis Alexander Basabe by Kelly O'Connor
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Teddy Stankiewicz, the 22-year-old right-hander ranked 26th at SoxProspects.com, made his first start with the Portland Sea Dogs and pitched well. He tossed the first six innings and allowed just one earned run on six hits. He walked only one, struck out five, and left the game with a 3-1 lead. After the Sea Dogs added another run in the seventh to take a 4-1 lead, Reading closed the gap by scoring two runs off left-hander Williams Jerez in the bottom of the eighth. Right-hander Rob Wort blew the save in the ninth inning and Heri Quevedo gave up the game-winning run in the 13th inning.
Jantzen Witte had another huge day at the plate, reaching base five times. He finished 3 for 4 with two walks and is now 9 for 15 on the year. Henry Ramos and Wendell Rijo each went yard for their first long balls of the season. Cole Sturgeon and Aneury Tavarez also had two-hit afternoons.
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Neither team could push across a run until the Mudcats exploded for five runs in the 11th inning. Jalen Beeks, a 22-year-old left-hander ranked 29th at SoxProspects.com, made his High-A debut and did not allow a run in 5 2/3 innings pitched. He surrendered five hits and two walks while striking out four. Right-hander German Taveras was also sharp in 3 1/3 innings of relief. He did not allow a run on two hits and two walks. Taylor Grover pitched a scoreless 10th inning but took the loss after allowing five runs in the 11th.
The Red Sox offense managed just three hits in game one. Second baseman Yoan Moncada went 1 for 4 with a triple, a walk, and a stolen base. Designated hitter Rafael Devers went 1 for 4 with a double, and first baseman Nick Longhi added a single.
The Red Sox hung on for a one-run victory in a seven-inning affair. After a quiet game one, the Salem bats got going right away in the first inning game two when shortstop Mauricio Dubon singled home Yoan Moncada, who singled and stole his fourth base of the year. Third baseman Rafael Devers blasted his first home run of the season in the second inning. First baseman Jordan Betts would add a long ball of his own in the fourth inning. Dubon and Danny Mars each finished 2 for 3, with Mars ripping a triple. Center fielder Andrew Benintendi added a double as well. Catcher Jordan Procyshen was pulled from the game in the fifth after tripping over first base; he went 2 for 2.
Left-hander Jake Drehoff started for Salem and went 3 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits, while striking out four and walking none. Mario Alcantara pitched well out of the bullpen, tossing 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run. Austin Maddox earned the save despite allowing a run in the seventh inning.
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Luis Alexander Basabe matched his brother's three-hit performance from Saturday. He finished 3 for 4 with his first home run of the year, a triple, and a single. First baseman Josh Ockimey also added his first bomb of the year, to go along with a double, as part of a 2-for-5 performance. Michael Chavis, Kyri Washington, and Joseph Monge also had nice days at the plate, as they each went 2 for 4.
Roniel Raudes picked up right where he left off last season. Making his Greenville debut, the 18-year-old threw five scoreless innings and allowed just four hits and a walk while punching out four. Dioscar Romero made his first appearance of the season and allowed two earned runs in two innings. Anyelo Leclerc also allowed two runs out of the bullpen, but the Greenville offense was able to preserve the win for Raudes.
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Player of the Day: A day after his brother was named player of the day, Luis Alexander Basabe struck back with a terrific showing of his own. Ranked eighth at SoxProspects.com, Basabe went 3 for 4 and fell a double shy of the cycle. Basabe will be a guy to keep an eye on this year, as SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall liked what he saw from him in spring training.
Photo Credit: Luis Alexander Basabe by Kelly O'Connor