May 20, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Cup of Coffee: Matheny walks off in Salem
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It was an unorthodox game for the PawSox, as they started three rehabbing major leaguers, saw a position player come into pitch, and endured a 19-minute delay when the lights went out in the 11th inning. David Price took the ball for Pawtucket and lasted just two innings, surrendering three runs on five hits while striking out four. Starting second baseman Mike Miller was saddled with the loss after allowing a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 13th despite throwing two innings of scoreless relief. Miller also went 2 for 5 before being called upon to pitch. Pablo Sandoval, who is also on a rehab assignment, went 0 for 3 and Brock Holt went 1 for 4. Rusney Castillo was Pawtucket's lone offensive standout, as he went 3 for 7 with a double.
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Trey Ball took his third loss of the season after allowing five runs in the third inning. All told, Ball allowed the five runs on five hits and two walks while striking seven in 4 1/3 innings of work. The Sea Dogs' offense was anemic behind Ball, as the lineup mustered only five hits on the night. Deiner Lopez mustered two singles off of Trenton pitching. Rafael Devers was held hitless out of the third spot in the lineup.
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A walk-off single from Tate Matheny capped an impressive comeback for Salem. Down by three in the bottom of the ninth, Salem rallied to tie the game on a two-run triple from Michael Chavis and an RBI single by Josh Ockimey. In the 10th, Steven Reveles walked and stole second before being driven in by Matheny. Matheny went 2 for 5 with a walk and his 10th stolen base of the year, while Chad De La Guerra went 2 for 5 with a home run.
The pitching staff was let down by the defense, as four errors led to four unearned runs. Dedgar Jimenez allowed four runs, two earned, over 5 2/3 innings, while Trevor Kelley earned his first win of the season by tossing two hitless innings.
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A five-run first inning for the Tourists was too much to overcome as the Drive fell just short. Logan Boyd was erratic in the first inning, hitting two batters and throwing a wild pitch. In all, he gave up four hits, three steals, and five runs in the first inning, and one of the steals was of home. After that, he allowed only one more baserunner over his final six frames, and the seven-inning appearance tied a career-high.
Chris Madera led the offense, going 2 for 5 with his second home run of the season, and Mitchell Gunsolus went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. C.J. Chatham went 1 for 3 with a two-run single in his first game of the year after missing the first six weeks of the season with a strained hamstring. The 2016 second-round pick started at shortstop and was caught stealing on his only stolen base attempt.
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Player of the Night: On a night when there were few standouts to choose from, Tate Matheny takes home tonight's honors after driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th. As part of a 2 for 5 night, Matheny singled to hand Salem the walk-off win. Matheny, the son of Cardinals' manager Mike Matheny, is now hitting .299/.399/.436 in 32 games for Salem this year. After a scorching hot start to the year, Matheny has cooled off considerably in May, though has still managed to maintain a relatively impressive .834 OPS, good for 16th in the Carolina League and 4th on the Red Sox.
Photo Credit: Tate Matheny by Kelly O'Connor.
Photo Credit: Tate Matheny by Kelly O'Connor.