April 25, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Shawaryn strikes out nine as Drive cruise
4/25 Cup of Coffee: It was a quiet night on the farm, with two affiliates following the major league club with an off day. A trio of Greenville hurlers, led by Mike Shawaryn (pictured), combined on a 17-strikeout night, while Portland was shut out in their contest.
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Despite an eight-hit effort, Portland could not string a rally together. Aneury Tavarez continues to patiently bide his time in Double-A, posting another two-hit night for the Sea Dogs and adding a stolen base. Tavarez has been so good for Portland that the 2-for-4 effort actually dropped his OPS by a point, to 1.023. Tzu-Wei Lin scuffled very early in the season, but he now is riding a seven-game hitting streak after Monday's 2-for-3 evening. Starter Jacob Dahlstrand took the loss, allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings. Jake Cosart pitched a scoreless ninth.
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Mike Shawaryn continues to pile up the strikeouts for the Drive. The right-hander punched out nine on Monday night in five innings, his third straight start with at least eight. He did not issue a walk and surrendered two runs. Hunter Smith then struck out five in 2 2/3, followed by Steve Nogosek getting three of the four batters he faced to get his fifth save. The Drive took advantage of some sloppy play by Greensboro, scoring five runs despite compiling only three hits, and none for extra bases. Unsurprisingly, Bobby Dalbec had one of those hits, adding a run scored and a walk. Tyler Hill scored twice and stole two bases without registering a hit or a walk.
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Player of the Day: His 6.23 ERA is unsightly, but it isn't representative of how Mike Shawaryn has pitched on a consistent basis. The former Maryland Terrapin was rocked in his first outing, giving up nine earned runs in two innings. He has dominated in three outings since, striking out 25 and walking only three in 15 1/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs during that time.
Photo Credit: Mike Shawaryn by Kelly O'Connor