June 17, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: DSL1 rallies on down night for Sox system
6/17 Cup of Coffee: It was mostly a night to forget for the Red Sox affiliates on Thursday as Pawtucket, Portland, and Salem were each held to one run and Greenville's game was postponed. Henry Owens (pictured) took a step back with an inconsistent outing. The highlights came from the Caribbean as both DSL teams posted victories, including a wild comeback for the first DSL team led by catcher Eddy Reynoso.
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After two solid outings, Henry Owens took a step in the wrong direction, continuing his back and forth season. The 23-year-old lefty got bit by walks again, allowing six free passes in just four innings of work. He allowed five runs with three of them earned. However, the unearned runs came as a result of an error by Owens. He gave up five hits to go with his error and six free passes, while only striking out two. Pat Light and Wesley Wright combined to throw four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The PawSox actually outhit Indianapolis, 8-6, but only one of those hits was of the extra-base variety - a double by Chris Marrero. And unlike their opponents, Pawtucket did not draw a single walk.
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Portland was also unable to muster much offense, plating a single run in the eighth and leaving 10 men on base. Andrew Benintendi had a decent night, going 2 for 4 with a pair of singles and his fourth stolen base. Ryan Court went 0 for 5, but his average only fell to .318, which shows how hot he has been hitting this year. Keith Couch was touched for five runs on nine hits, striking out two, walking three, and allowing a three-run home run.
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The long ball doomed Salem on Thursday as starter Daniel McGrath surrendered three home runs in five innings of work. He allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out two. Salem also managed just four hits total, including one extra-base hit - a triple from Nick Longhi. Mauricio Dubon was held hitless in four trips. Yoan Moncada caused a bit of a stir when he was not in the lineup, leading some to think he might have been promoted to Portland. However, the team reported that it was just a routine day off for him as the team winds down into the Single-A all-star break.
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Greenville Drive vs. Hagerstown Suns (WAS) - PPD.
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The first DSL team erased a 5-0, eighth-inning deficit to come all the way back for a wild win. The Sox were also trailing by one run, down to their final out and continued to rally. Eddy Reynoso got the rally started in the eighth with a big two-run double. Down by three heading into the ninth, the Red Sox loaded the bases and drove in a third run on a double play. Down to their last out and facing a two-run deficit, the next six batters reached on five singles and an error. The tying run came across courtesy of Kervin Suarez and Simon Muzziotti followed suit, plating the go-ahead tally. Reynoso then collected his third RBI, before scoring behind Muzziotti on the following single. That ended up being an important insurance run as the Phillies scored once in the bottom of the ninth and left the tying run at the plate.
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A combination of three pitchers held the other DSL Phillies team to just three hits in an impressive shutout win for the second DSL Red Sox squad. Gregory Santos earned the win with five innings of two-hit ball, walking two and striking out two. Andres Jimenez was excellent in relief, allowing just one hit and one walk in three innings of work. He struck out one. Shair Lacrus earned the save with a perfect ninth. Albert Guaimaro went 2 for 4 with two doubles and a run scored.
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Player of the Night: On a night with little to cheer about stateside, Dominican Leaguer Eddy Reynoso gets the player of the night nod with his 3-for-5 performance and three clutch RBI late in the game. A 21-year-old from Santo Domingo, the 6-foot, 195-pounder splits time between catcher and first base. He is in his second season in the Dominican Summer League.
Photo credit: Henry Owens by Kelly O'Connor
Photo credit: Henry Owens by Kelly O'Connor