April 20, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Chavis blasts three home runs for Salem
4/20 Cup of Coffee: A walk-off home run for Michael Chavis (pictured) was the highlight of Wednesday's slate, as the former first-round pick had a career-night. Jackie Bradley Jr. went deep for Pawtucket, Brandon Workman continued to pitch lights out in relief, and Roniel Raudes struggled again for Salem.
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With the help of some reinforcements, Pawtucket got to Lucas Giolito for two home runs as they shut out the Knights. Jackie Bradley Jr., who turned 27 years old last night, went 1 for 3 with a home run and two walks in his second rehab appearance. Matt Dominguez also took Giolito deep as part of a 2-for-4 night that included a double. Blake Swihart and Sam Travis did not have the same success, combining to go 0 for 7 with five strikeouts.
After a tough first start last week, Hector Velazquez rebounded with five scoreless innings, walking one and striking out three. Brandon Workman followed with two dominant innings of relief, striking out five without allowing a baserunner. Now nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery, Workman has struck out 10 of the 23 batters he has faced this season.
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Portland Sea Dogs at Binghamton Rumble Ponies (NYM), PPD rain
It was the first rain out since opening day for the Sea Dogs, and the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on June 3 when Portland returns to Binghamton.
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Salem used the long ball to beat the Blue Rocks, led by Michael Chavis who launched three home runs, including a walk-off two-run shot in the ninth. Chavis now has four home runs over his last two games, as he stayed scorching hot since coming off the disabled list. Deiner Lopez added a solo shot to make it a one-run game in the ninth, and Jhon Nunez added three singles and an RBI.
The rocky transition to High A for Roniel Raudes continued, as he was roughed up for four runs on six hits over five innings. After cruising through the first three innings, Raudes gave up two runs apiece in the fourth and fifth innings, as his ERA rose to 6.75. Yankory Pimentel was able to stop the bleeding with four strikeouts over two shutout innings.
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It was another solid pitching performance for the Drive, led by starter Logan Boyd. Boyd allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out two. Stephen Nogosek earned his third save of the season with two scoreless innings, striking out three. Nick Lovullo led the way offensively, going 2 for 4 with two RBI, and Tucker Tubbs went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Tyler Hill continued to show a knack for being hit by pitches, getting plunked twice, and he now leads the system with four on the season.
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Player of the Night: In his best game as a professional, Michael Chavis went 3 for 4 with three home runs and a walk to lead Salem past the Blue Rocks. Chavis has only played in four games this season after missing some time with an elbow injury, but he already has four home runs, a double, three singles, and three walks in the pitcher-friendly Carolina League. The 21-year-old former first-round pick is showing why he was so highly rated in the 2014 draft, and although he has been in A-ball since 2015, he is still 18 months younger than the average player in the Carolina League.
Photo Credit: Michael Chavis by Kelly O'Connor