May 24, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Lakins struggles again on slow night
5/23 Cup of Coffee: In an abbreviated schedule due to rainouts, Pawtucket and Portland both dropped their games. Allen Craig came off the bench to help out the PawSox. Travis Lakins (pictured) struggled again since his promotion to Double-A, taking a loss in game one of a doubleheader. Rafael Devers had a day to forget with an 0-for-8 performance over two games. Salem and Greenville were rained out.
-----
It was a frustrating night for the PawSox as they left 14 men on base. Allen Craig, who started the game with the night off, went 2 for 3 with a two-RBI double. He came into the game after Rusney Castillo was plunked in his right leg and was forced to exit. Shawn Haviland gave up four runs on six hits, striking out three and walking 2.
Travis Lakins labored again for Portland, and "struggled to miss bats," as SoxProspects director of scouting Ian Cundall tweeted from the game. Lakins gave up five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two and walked two. Rafael Devers was held hitless, going 0 for 4. Nick Longhi had Portland's only multi-hit game, going 2 for 4 with a solo home run.
The Sea Dogs fell in heartbreaking fashion in game two, on a walk-off sac fly. Devers had a day to forget, going 0 for 4 in the nightcap as well. That plunged his average to .301. Tzu-Wei Lin went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a walk. His RBI groundout in the seventh is what extended the game into extras. Luis Ysla took the loss, giving up the winning run in the eighth.
-----
Salem Red Sox vs. Buies Creek Astros (HOU) - PPD.
Salem was rained out and will play a doubleheader on Wednesday.
-----
Greenville Drive vs Kannapolis Intimidators (CWS) - PPD.
The Drive were also postponed and will also play a doubleheader on Wednesday
-----
Player of the Night: On a slow night, Nick Longhi grabs the honors after crushing his third home run the season. According to Sea Dogs radio announcer Mike Antonellis, Longhi fouled off some tough pitches before hitting his homer. Longhi is heating up, having gone 16 for his last 38, good for a .421 average.