May 29, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Selsky homers twice to power PawSox
5/29 Cup of Coffee: The affiliates earned a split on Sunday afternoon as the major league squad's five-game winning streak came to an end. Steve Selsky (pictured) and Rusney Castillo supported Henry Owens' solid effort, while Greenville mashed 12 hits in its blowout win. Rafael Devers went deep for Portland in a losing effort, and Salem fell just short in cobbling together a bullpen game.
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A monster afternoon from Steve Selsky helped the PawSox extend their winning streak to four games. Selsky blasted a grand slam in the first inning that gave Pawtucket a lead it would not relinquish and added some insurance with a solo blast in the third. He now has seven homers in 96 at-bats since being optioned to Pawtucket in late April. Rusney Castillo also went yard as part of a 3-for-4 afternoon. Henry Owens delivered what has become the typical performance for him. The left-hander was again tough to hit, as he struck out seven and allowed only four hits in giving up one run in his six innings of work, However, he again struggled with control and efficiency, walking four batters and needing 110 pitches to get through those six innings.
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Rafael Devers had been in the midst of his first Double-A mini-slump, entering Sunday afternoon without a home run since May 14 and without an extra-base hit since the 16th. He broke out of that skid with a two-out solo blast in the eighth inning. For only the third time this season, Teddy Stankiewicz failed to record a quality start. The righty lasted only 5 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits, striking out three and walking one.
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Salem pounded out nine hits while coming up short in its slugfest, and the biggest surprise is none came off the bat of Michael Chavis. The white-hot 2014 first-rounder scored a run after being hit by a pitch, and drove in another on a sacrifice fly, but saw his modest six-game hitting streak end with an 0-for-3 afternoon. Mike Meyers led the offense, going 3 for 4 with a home run. Projected starter Roniel Raudes was scratched and placed on the disabled list, and Jordan Weems struggled in his stead. The converted catcher allowed five runs in 1 2/3, giving up five hits and walking five without getting a strikeout. Marc Brakeman made his 2017 debut out of the bullpen and also struggled with his control, walking five and giving up two runs in two hitless innings.
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The Drive recorded 12 hits, five doubles, and six stolen bases in their Sunday afternoon romp. Chris Madera was 2 for 4 with three runs scored, a walk, and two stolen bases. Lorenzo Cedrola also stole two bases and scored two runs out of the leadoff slot. Carlos Tovar had a pair of doubles as part of his three-hit day. Jhonathan Diaz, the 2016 SoxProspects.com Comeback Player of the Year after a strong performance with the Lowell Spinners, impressed in his 2017 debut. The 20-year-old lefty allowed two runs on six hits in five innings, striking out four without issuing a walk. Matthew Gorst and Dakota Smith combined for four shutout innings of relief to seal the win.
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Player of the Day: Steve Selsky got sporadic playing time with Boston after making the major league club out of spring training, but he has shown notable power since joining Triple-A Pawtucket. The 27-year-old, claimed off waivers from Cincinnati last winter, has seven home runs and five doubles in 105 plate appearances. Through 24 games, his slash line sits at an impressive .271/.333/.542.
Photo Credit: Steve Selsky by Kelly O'Connor