July 1, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Monge carries Salem, Butler lifts Pawtucket
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It was the bottom of the order that carried Pawtucket on Thursday, with the six through nine hitters collecting five of the team's seven hits. Dan Butler came up big with a four-RBI night, including a three-run home run in the third inning that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. He finished the night 2 for 3 with a run scored. Henry Ramos had a bit of an odd night, going 0 for 2, but driving in a pair of runs on sacrifice flies. William Cuevas started for Pawtucket but threw just three innings having appeared in relief recently. He struck out five and walked none, allowing two runs on four hits. Roman Mendez picked up the win with four innings of scoreless relief.
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The Sea Dogs jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, but could not hold on as the Yard Goats stormed back for the win. Portland batted around in the first inning, scoring four runs on six hits, two walks, and a balk. The Sea Dogs would only manage three more hits the rest of the game. After leading off the game with a triple and scoring, Yoan Moncada was hitless the rest of the night, finishing 1 for 4. Andrew Benintendi was hitless in four at-bats. Tim Roberson drilled his first home run of the season, going 2 for 4 with two RBI. Teddy Stankiewicz was in line for the win when he left the game, despite giving up 10 hits and four runs. Williams Jerez was charged with a blown save and the loss, giving up four runs in 2/3 of an inning.
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A huge night out of the leadoff spot from Joseph Monge carried Salem to victory. The 21-year-old centerfielder went 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles and four RBI, including a bases-clearing double in the eighth. He also added his sixth stolen base of the season. However, he was also caught stealing twice and picked off once. Daniel McGrath provided a quality start, giving up just one run on five hits in six innings of work. He struck out three and walked two in the win.
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A comeback came up short for the Drive, as Greenville left the tying run on third in the eighth and the winning run at the plate in the ninth. Josh Ockimey went 1 for 4 but pulled the Drive within one in the eighth with his 11th home run of the season. Chad De La Guerra lined into a double play to end the game. Tate Matheny kept up his recent torrid pace with a 2-for-4 night with a double and two runs scored. Jake Cosart kept Greenville within striking distance with three perfect innings of relief. He did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out the final six batters he faced.
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Lowell continued its recent scuffle, dropping its fourth game in five tries. Kevin Steen was roughed up in three innings of work, surrendering five runs on five hits and four walks. He did not register a strikeout. Kuehl McEachern put in his third straight scoreless outing since his demotion from Greenville with three spotless innings of relief. He gave up five hits and struck out three. Yoan Aybar went 2 for 4 with two RBI.
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GCL Red Sox vs. GCL Rays - Postponed
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The first DSL squad survived 13 innings and four errors to pick up their 18th win of the season. Pinch hitter Eduardo Torrealba played the hero, driving in Ramfis Berroa on an RBI single in the top of the 13th. Catcher Eddy Reynoso extended his hitting streak to six games with a 2 for 5 performance with three RBI. He raised his batting average to .325 and now has six multi-hit games on the season. While Eduard Bazardo was credited with the win with two innings of scoreless relief, Oddanier Mosqueda deserves plenty of praise. The 17-year-old Venezuelan gave up just two hits in four innings of relief, striking out six.
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The second DSL squad eked out a win in a pitcher's duel. Jose Zacarias was solid in five innings of work, giving up just one run on five hits while striking out four and walking one. Victor Familia earned the hold with two innings of work and Joan Martinez picked up the save with a scoreless ninth. Albert Guaimaro went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
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Player of the Night: Providing most of his team's offense for the night, Joseph Monge gets Player of the Night honors with his four-RBI performance. A 17th-round draft pick in 2013 out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy, Monge was promoted to Salem after posting a .338 average with Greenville in 37 games this season. He started off hot for Salem, but a recent cold streak brought him back to earth. Thursday was Monge's first multi-hit game since June 14.
Photo Credit: Joseph Monge by Kelly O'Connor