May 17, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Devers strikes for Portland, Hill stays hot
5/17 Cup of Coffee: Sam Travis clobbered his third home run on the season in a Pawtucket loss. Rafael Devers (pictured) was at it again for Portland, with another multi-extra-base-hit performance. Tate Matheny and Michael Chavis led a 13-hit Salem attack, but the High-A affiliate still fell. Greenville lost in dramatic fashion, but not before Tyler Hill had yet another big night at the plate.
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For the second straight outing, Henry Owens struggled mightily with his command and was roughed up. Owens walked a whopping seven batters in 4 2/3 innings of work. He allowed five runs on six hits, but did also strike out five. Sam Travis was the brightest spot for the Pawtucket offense on Tuesday, going 2 for 4 with a solo home run in the eighth inning.
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The Sea Dogs were one-hit in the first game of a doubleheader, with Josh Tobias providing Portland's lone hit in the third. Teddy Stankiewicz was the tough-luck loser, hurling a complete seven-inning game. He allowed three runs on six hits while striking out five and walking none. He allowed a two-run homer in the fourth.
Portland's offense bounced back in a big way in the nightcap, pounding out 11 hits. Rafael Devers raised his average to .333 with a 3-for-4 performance, collecting two doubles and two RBI and scoring twice. Mike Olt went 2 for 3 with a double, four RBI, a run scored, and put the game away with a three-run homer in the sixth. After two straight disastrous outings, Jacob Dahlstrand showed signs of life, picking up the win with five solid innings of work. He allowed one run on four hits, walking one and striking out one, lowering his ERA back below 8.00.
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Despite racking up 13 hits on the game, three of Salem's four runs came far too late in the ninth inning. The Sox left 11 runners on base. Tate Matheny went 3 for 5 with a pair of runs scored. Michael Chavis collected his 11th double of the season, going 2 for 5 with an RBI. Trenton Kemp also was 2 for 5, notching a pair of doubles and an RBI. Shaun Anderson was tagged for seven runs, including a rough six-run first inning. He did end up lasting six innings, giving up 10 hits, a pair of home runs, walking three and striking out four.
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The Drive fell in heartbreaking fashion, with Steve Nogosek giving up his first runs in a month on a walk-off, two-run double. For the third straight night, Tyler Hill went bananas at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and two stolen bases. Santiago Espinal also plated a pair of runs, going 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.
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Player of the Night: It's becoming pretty commonplace to see Rafael Devers' name in the Player of the Night category, and his 3 for 4 performance puts him there again. Devers has posted an incredible .408/.517/.796 slash line in 15 games in the month of May. The SoxProspects number one overall prospect has greatly improved his patience at the plate as well, walking 11 times in that span.
Photo Credit: Rafael Devers by Kelly O'Connor