June 26, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Betts delivers for Salem; Chavis goes deep again
6/26 Cup of Coffee: Despite a rough Sunday in terms of wins and losses, there were several standout individual performances. Jordan Betts capped a monster series to lead Salem, backed by a strong outing by Mike Shawaryn. Michael Chavis hasn't missed a beat since Thursday promotion to Portland, homering in a losing effort.
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A late rally came up short, as the PawSox missed their opportunity to earn a split in their four-game set with Scranton. A six-run ninth inning pulled Pawtucket to within one, highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of Bryce Brentz. Jalen Beeks took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in five innings, striking out five and walking three. Ty Buttrey allowed a run on three hits in two innings. He struck out three and didn't issue a walk.
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Another team, same result for Michael Chavis. The 21-year-old homered for the second time in three games for Portland, and for the 19th time this season. Chavis also doubled and scored a pair of runs on the afternoon. Harrisburg pitchers wanted nothing to do with Rafael Devers, walking him three times. He went 1 for 2 in the two times they did let him swing. Veteran outfielder Henry Urrutia was 3 for 5, and he doubled for the fifth time in nine games since joining the Sea Dogs as a free agent.
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Salem's 13-hit attack was led by Jordan Betts, who was unstoppable in the four-game set against Wilmington. Betts was 4 for 5 on Sunday afternoon, delivering a home run, two doubles, and four RBI. In the series, Betts was 9 for 16 with five extra-base hits. Josh Ockimey was 2 for 4 with a double and a walk, and Austin Rei ripped his 22nd double of the year. On the mound, Mike Shawaryn turned in the strongest start since his early-June promotion from Greenville. The right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on just two hits in six innings, striking out five and walking two. The outing cut his ERA with Salem from 8.18 all the way to 5.82. Austin Glorius and Stephen Nogosek closed out the win with a combined three innings of shutout relief.
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It was a tough night for the Drive, as a six-run Charleston third inning put them in a hole they could not escape. Starter Jhonathan Diaz made a throwing error on a potential double play ball to the second batter of the inning, and the RiverDogs took advantage of that extra opportunity. In all, Diaz surrendered seven runs (four earned) on eight hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked only two, and has 25 strikeouts against seven walks in 27 innings so far this season. Tyler Spoon led the offense, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored, but he left the game in the seventh inning after beating out the relay on a double-play attempt.
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Little went right on Sunday for the Spinners, who had more errors (5) than hits (4). Garrett Benge reached base three times, going 1 for 2 with a pair of walks. Charlie Madden, Boston's 24th-round pick, made his professional debut when he came in to catch in the ninth. On the mound, Yorvin Pantoja allowed six runs (four earned) in four innings. He struggled with his control, walking four and hitting a batter. The bright spot was the bullpen, where Ryan Oduber scattered three hits in four shutout innings of relief, followed by Joan Martinez, who struck out two in a hitless ninth.
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Player of the Day: Wilmington will not be sad to depart Haley Toyota Field, where they can leave Jordan Betts far behind them. Betts capped an excellent series with one of his best games as a pro, compiling nine total bases as Salem rolled to a win. Betts had only 10 extra-base hits in 33 games before the All-Star break, but has compiled five in the four games since.
Photo Credit: Jordan Betts by Kelly O'Connor