June 28, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Brentz stretches homer streak to three games
6/28 Cup of Coffee: No one has been able to slow Bryce Brentz down lately, as the 28-year-old righty homered twice for Pawtucket to extend his long ball streak to three straight games. Travis Lakins returned from the disabled list for an abbreviated start for Portland. Bryan Mata faced his first real adversity of the 2017 season for Greenville.
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The PawSox exploded for a 20-hit attack on Tuesday, led by Bryce Brentz's two-homer performance. Brentz went 2 for 4 with four RBI, three runs scored and two walks. Pawtucket also got great production out of the bottom of the lineup with Heiker Meneses and Dan Butler each driving in three runs. Meneses went 3 for 5 with two runs scored, as well as connecting on his first home run since July of 2014. Pablo Sandoval went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a rehab appearance. Shawn Haviland allowed three home runs, but was fortunate they were all solo shots. Haviland allowed four runs on six hits in six innings of work, walking two and striking out seven.
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Travis Lakins returned to action off of the disabled list, getting two innings of work in before calling it a night. Lakins allowed a run on one hit and a walk with no strikeouts. Taylor Grover picked up the win with four shutout innings of relief. Mike Olt provided all the offense Portland would need with a two-run shot in the second inning before the rains came and ended the game early. Michael Chavis went 1 for 3 with a run scored. Rafael Devers had the night off.
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A pair of two-run homers undid Tuesday's start from Roniel Raudes, bookended in the first and sixth innings. Raudes lasted five-plus innings, allowing four runs on eight hits (including the two homers and four doubles) while walking three and striking out one. Jordan Betts went 1 for 4 with his seventh home run of the year. Austin Rei added an RBI double.
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Brian Mata was tested for the first time since coming to the U.S., but still managed to only allow two runs in five innings of work. Mata allowed six hits, including a solo home run, but struck out five and walked just one. It was a frustrating night at the plate for Greenville, as the Drive left 10 men on base. Lorenzo Cedrola and Santiago Espinal each had a pair of hits and drove in a run.
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The GCL Sox will pick up their game on Wednesday against the Rays. They may have been happy for the rain as they were being no-hit through four innings. Rayniel Adames struck out five of the seven batters he faced.
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A huge day at the plate for Keibert Petit carried the DSL squad to victory. The 18-year-old Venezuelan first baseman drove in an impressive 6 runs in 2-for-4 performance that included a three-run homer and a three-run double. Carlos Cortes struck out an impressive eight batters in three innings of relief.
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Player of the Night: As he puts the finishing touches on a June to remember, Bryce Brentz gets the nod with his two-homer performance. Brentz has been nearly unstoppable this month, posting a .322/.410/.713 slash line in 24 games with 10 home runs, 23 runs and 25 RBI. It has been an incredible turnaround this season for Brentz, who was hitting just .208 as recently as June 3. His average now sits at .259.
Photo Credit: Bryce Brentz by Kelly O'Connor