May 9, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Velazquez keeps rolling for PawSox
5/9 Cup of Coffee: Monday was strong pitching performances across the organization, highlighted by a third consecutive scoreless outing from Pawtucket right-hander Hector Velazquez (pictured). Darwinzon Hernandez was perfect into the fifth inning in Greenville's win, while Kevin McAvoy got no support while turning in the strongest appearance of the three.
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Hector Velazquez last surrendered an earned run in the fifth inning of his stateside debut as a professional, back on April 11. He has since gone 17 1/3 innings, spreading seven hits. On Monday he gave up three hits and walked two in 6 1/3. Brandon Workman and Blaine Boyer finished off the shutout with 1 1/3 innings apiece. Sam Travis led the offense, delivering his second homer of the year along with a double. Travis has now doubled in three consecutive games after undergoing a 12-game stretch without recording an extra-base hit.
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The two clubs matched zeroes for the first eight innings as Kevin McAvoy turned in arguably the best start of his pro career. The 2014 4th-round pick went seven scoreless innings for the first time in 27 Double-A starts. He gave up only two hits, walked one, and struck out six, slashing his season ERA by over a run and a half. Binghamton finally got on the scoreboard in the ninth inning against Austin Maddox, who gave up two runs on three hits. Rafael Devers recorded a pair of walk and has reached base in 10 straight. Josh Tobias doubled, his first extra-base hit since a May 1 promotion from High A Salem.
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Starter Darwinzon Hernandez set down the first 13 batters he faced until an infield single with one out in the fifth inning. He ran out of gas some after that tremendous start, allowing a pair of hits and walks in the fifth and sixth innings, giving up three runs. The six strikeouts recorded by the lefty give him 41 in 32 2/3 innings. At the plate, Bobby Dalbec made strides toward getting back on track, driving in three runs as part of a 1-for-2 evening. Mitchell Gunsolus and Tyler Hill had two hits apiece in the winning effort.
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Player of the Day: Any of the starting pitchers would have been appropriate, but the recognition goes to Kevin McAvoy for holding onto the shutout through seven innings. The Bryant University product entered the contest with a 1.528 WHIP, but he gave up only three baserunners in his seven frames.
Photo Credit: Hector Velazquez by Kelly O'Connor