May 15, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Devers homers, McAvoy and Hernandez deal
5/15 Cup of Coffee: Pitching largely stole the show on Sunday, as all three active affiliates received relatively strong starts from their pitchers. Portland took the tough-luck loss in a pitchers' duel and Salem was victorious behind a valiant effort from a recent convert. Strong pitching in Greenville took a backseat, as the offense exploded in a 12-run, 14-hit attack.
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Pawtucket was rained out at home and will make up the contest as part of a doubleheader on June 17. David Price had been scheduled to make his first rehab start, but instead threw 75 pitches in a simulated game.
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The Sea Dogs came out on the losing end of a pitchers' duel, as Kevin McAvoy (pictured) went seven innings, allowing just one run (a home run in the first) on seven hits while striking out six. Ty Buttrey took the loss, as he surrendered the winning run in the bottom half of the eighth. The offense sputtered behind the strong pitching mustering only two hits on the day, though Rafael Devers broke up the Phils' no-hit bid in the seventh and tied the game with his seventh long ball of the year.
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Former catcher Jordan Weems picked up the win with three innings of one-hit baseball after Daniel Gonzalez gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks over the first three innings. Kyri Washington opened the scoring in the first, plating two runs with a two-out single. He finished the day 2 for 3 with a double. Jordan Betts drove in two runs with a double as part of a 1-for-4 evening.
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Darwinzon Hernandez continued his strong start to the season, striking out eight in four innings, though he did allow two hits and walk four batters. Designated hitter Tyler Hill was one of the Drive's offensive standouts, as he went 4 for 5 with three RBI, and two runs scored. Jagger Rusconi, Ryan Scott, and Chris Madera each collected two hits. Madera drove in three runs and Rusconi drew the only two walks as part of the Drive's 14-hit onslaught. Santiago Espinal was the only player who was held hitless.
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Player(s) of the Night: Tyler Hill and Chris Madera take home joint honors as they powered Greenville's high offense win. Occupying the third and fourth spots in the lineup, the pair were a combined 6 for 10 on the evening and drove in six runs. Madera, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015, has been solid for the Drive, slashing .288/.391/.373 in 15 games since being added from Salem in late April. Hill, a 19th-round pick in 2014, has struggled in 28 games for Greenville, and his 4-hit performance boosted his average from .194 up to .222 on the year.
Photo Credit: Kevin McAvoy by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Kevin McAvoy by Kelly O'Connor