June 12, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Espinoza, Owens, and Beeks dominate on the mound
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Henry Owens took the hill for the PawSox on Saturday evening and turned in one of his finest performances of the season. In 5 2/3 innings, he allowed a run on six hits and two walks, striking out five. Anthony Varvaro allowed an unearned run in 1 1/3 innings and Wesley Wright allowed a run in two innings to close out the game.
Offensively, the PawSox were hardly able to get anything done against the Reds' top prospect Robert Stephenson. They pushed across a run in the second inning on a solo home run for Bryce Brentz but that was their only run of the game.
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Sea Dogs starting pitcher Justin Haley continued his brilliant season on Saturday. He only lasted 4 2/3 innings but allowed just one run on four hits and one walk while punching out four batters. Ty Buttrey pitched well in relief, allowing a walk and striking out two in 2 1/3 innings. The Flying Squirrels did most of their damage off of Taylor Grover, who allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Portland's only run came via a Sean Coyle single, scoring Wendell Rijo,, in the eighth inning. Andrew Benintendi was 0 for 3 and walked once, bringing his slash line to .221/.269/.337 in Double-A. First baseman Ryan Court went 2 for 4 with a double.
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In a night of excellent starting pitching in the Red Sox farm system, Salem received a gem from Jalen Beeks. Beeks tossed six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five. However, Ben Taylor was unable to save the win, allowing a pair of runs in two innings and was tagged with the blown save and the loss.
The Red Sox scored their only run on a solo shot by Nick Longhi in the fourth inning. Yoan Moncada went 0 for 3 with a walk and Rafael Devers went 0 for 4 with a strikeout in a tough night for Salem's top prospects. Danny Mars had a big night at the plate and on the basepaths, going 2 for 4 with three stolen bases. He is now hitting .276/.339/.352 with 18 stolen bases this season.
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Anderson Espinoza turned in a strong start for Greenville on Saturday. The 18-year-old righty threw five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, striking out four, and walking none. The eventual loss was pinned on Jeffry Fernandez, who allowed three runs in 2 2/3 innings. Victor Diaz allowed a run on three hits in 1 1/3 innings pitched.
Michael Chavis broke out in his fourth game since returning from a sprained left thumb ligament, going 3 for 4 with a triple. Luis Alejandro Basabe doubled in Trent Kemp for Greenville's first run of the game and then came in to score on an error. Basabe was 2 for 4 on the night and is now hitting .301/.404/.442 in his age-19 season.
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Starting pitcher Edilson Batista struggled with his control on Saturday, walking four and allowing two runs (one earned) in 2 1/3 innings. Cesar Gonzalez pitched well in relief, throwing 3 2/3 shutout innings and giving up just a hit and a walk. The loss and blown save went to William Caraballo, who allowed three runs in just 2/3 of an inning. The DSL Sox only recorded five hits on the day but Kervin Suarez and Simon Muzziotti led the lineup, each tallying a hit, an RBI and a walk.
Yorvin Pantoja took the hill on Saturday and was dominant, throwing five shutout innings and allowing just one hit while striking out seven, though he did walk five. Andres Jimenez and Warlyn Guzman threw two scoreless innings each in a strong performance by the pitching staff. The game was scoreless going into the bottom of the ninth, but Reinaldo Ugueto sent the fans home happy with a walk-off RBI double, scoring Keibert Petit.
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Player of the Night: Jalen Beeks was marvelous on Saturday night, providing six scoreless frames with two walks and a walk, striking out five. The 22-year-old continues a solid start to his professional career since being drafted in the 12th round in 2014. Beeks has tossed 62 2/3 innings this season and is the owner of a 3.02 ERA and a 51/21 K/BB.
Photo Credit: Jalen Beeks by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Jalen Beeks by Kelly O'Connor