August 28, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Groome impresses while Johnson falters
8/28 Cup of Coffee: Jason Groome missed plenty of bats in his second appearance with the GCL Red Sox, while Brian Johnson had a rough start for the PawSox. The Sea Dogs finally lost in 15 innings, Salem split a doubleheader with Frederick, and C.J. Chatham and Bobby Dalbec provided some late firepower to lift Lowell. The DSL regular season came to a close with both of the Red Sox squads advancing to the playoffs.
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It was a big step back for Brian Johnson, as he was hit hard in a loss to Syracuse that eliminated Pawtucket from postseason contention. After entering the game with a 1.76 ERA over his last five starts, Johnson allowed seven runs on eight hits over four innings. Three of the hits were home runs, including back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the fourth. Chandler Shepherd was able to keep the Chiefs at bay with three shutout innings of relief, striking out four.
Three players provided all the offense for Pawtucket, led by Dan Butler who went 4 for 4 with a double. The four hits are a season-high for Butler, and the most he's had in a game in over three years. Ryan LaMarre launched his 10th home run of the year as part of his 2-for-4 night, and Chris Marrero went 2 for 4.
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Teddy Stankiewicz went the first five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out three. Ty Buttrey followed with 2 1/3 hitless innings and Williams Jerez tossed two scoreless innings while striking out two. Ben Taylor kept the game tied for the next 2 1/3 innings and Taylor Grover allowed the go-ahead runs as two unearned runs crossed the plate in the 15th.
Ryan Hanigan began his rehab assignment last night, going 0 for 3 over the first seven innings before being pulled for Danny Bethea. Yoan Moncada went 1 for 4 with two walks, two strikeouts, and a caught stealing, and Rainel Rosario went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI.
Ryan Hanigan began his rehab assignment last night, going 0 for 3 over the first seven innings before being pulled for Danny Bethea. Yoan Moncada went 1 for 4 with two walks, two strikeouts, and a caught stealing, and Rainel Rosario went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI.
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Three hits from Jordan Procyshen was not enough as Salem fell to Frederick. Anyelo Leclerc fell to 3-3 on the season after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings. The Keys extended their lead against Simon Mercedes as they tagged him for four runs in two innings.
Procyshen went 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI and he has raised his average from .229 to .263 over the last 15 games. Deiner Lopez went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI, and Jayce Ray went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.
The Red Sox got some revenge in the second game of the doubleheader, as Mario Alcantara and Jeffry Fernandez held the Keys to one run despite having some control issues. Alcantara walked five but also struck out five and allowed only a solo home run over four innings. Fernandez got the victory with three scoreless innings, walking three and striking out two without allowing a hit.
All three of Salem's runs came in the second, with Ben Moore lacing an RBI single and Joseph Monge following with a two-run single. Rafael Devers went 2 for 3, and Jose Sermo went 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored.
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A well-balanced 11-hit attack helped the Drive double up the Tourists. Logan Boyd was not able to extend his franchise record for wins in a season as he gave up four runs (three earned) over five innings, and he left with a one-run deficit. Adam Lau gave up one hit and three walks as he kept the Tourists off the board for two innings, and Gerson Bautista closed the door with two shutout innings.
Every starting position player reached base at least once, led by Mitchell Gunsolus who was on base four times via two hits and two walks. Luis Alexander Basabe went 2 for 5 and drove in two runs, Kyri Washington went 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored, and Austin Rei contributed two hits and an RBI.
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After getting roughed up for four runs in two innings the last time he faced Tri-City, Michael Shawaryn rebounded nicely, striking out three while allowing only a hit and a walk over three shutout innings. Daniel Zandona finished the game off with six innings of one-run ball, striking out five.
A night after homering twice, C.J. Chatham launched a two-run shot in the top of the ninth to break a scoreless tie. Bobby Dalbec laced a two-run double later in the inning to add some insurance. Chatham went 1 for 3 with the home run and two walks, and Tucker Tubbs went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.
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Jason Groome got the start in a crucial game for the Red Sox, as they moved one game ahead of the Twins for first place in the South division with four games left to play. Groome went two innings, striking out five while allowing one run on two hits. The lone run scored on a steal of home as the Twins stole four bases in the first inning. Hildemaro Requena came on in the third inning and went the rest of the way, as his seven shutout innings helped secure the victory. Requena got 12 groundouts to go along with four strikeouts, and he did not walk a batter.
Imeldo Diaz drove in two of the four runs with a single in the bottom of the first that gave the Red Sox the lead for good. He finished the day 2 for 4 with a run scored. Samuel Miranda went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI, and Jagger Rusconi and Juan Barriento each added doubles.
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In their last game of the regular season, the first Red Sox squad went out on top as they blanked the Athletics. Ritzi Mendoza went the first three innings, striking out three while allowing two hits. Eduard Bazardo picked up his sixth win after striking out five over three innings and Oddanier Mosqueda struck out five over two perfect innings.
The offense struck quickly, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after only two innings. Kervin Suarez went 2 for 4 with a walk, two runs scored, and two RBI. Carlos Pulido went 2 for 5 with an RBI, and Willis Figueroa went 2 for 4 with two RBI.
The Red Sox had a second game scheduled against the Athletics yesterday, but it was canceled due to rain. They finished the season 50-18 and are the top overall seed in the playoffs. They receive a bye through the first round of the playoffs.
DSL Red Sox2, DSL Phillies2 (PHI) (Canceled)
The DSL Red Sox2 saw their final game of the season get canceled due to rain. The Red Sox2 finished 48-22, good for the fifth seed in the playoffs, and they will play the DSL Diamondbacks1 in the first round starting on Monday.
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Player of the Night: After struggling to start the season, Dan Butler has been on a hot streak since the beginning of June, batting .352 in 34 games with the PawSox. The 29-year-old catcher signed with the Red Sox as a minor league free agent back in January after spending the 2015 season in the Nationals organization. He stepped his game up on Saturday against his former team going 4 for 4 with a double
Photo Credit: Dan Butler by Kelly O'Connor