June 13, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Former top pick Chavis dominates on draft day
6/13 Cup of Coffee: The first two rounds of the amateur draft took place on Monday night, but 2014 first-rounder Michael Chavis (pictured) refused to be overshadowed as he continues his breakout campaign. Chavis's 17th home run of the season led Salem as its first-half playoff push enters the home stretch. Like Salem, Greenville held onto pole position for a playoff spot with its win.
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Michael Chavis wasn't about to let newest Red Sox first-round pick Tanner Houck steal his thunder on Monday night. While the Red Sox were preparing to take the Missouri hurler, they were reaping the dividends of their 2014 pick. Of the 17 home runs Chavis already has, a Salem franchise-record 12 have come at home. The newly-minted Carolina League All-Star finished the night 3 for 3 with three runs scored to give him 50 in 54 games. Mike Meyers and Jose Sermo also went deep for Salem. Matt Kent was excellent on the mound, needing only 94 pitches to complete eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits, striking out seven against only one walk.
With the win, Salem maintained its two-game lead in the Carolina League's Northern Division with six games remaining on its first-half schedule.
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In his second start back after missing two weeks with a blister, Darwinzon Hernandez struggled some with his efficiency, needing 74 pitches to get through 4 1/3 allowing three runs and walking and striking out three apiece. Robby Sexton got the win with a dominant relief outing, allowing only one hit in 3 2/3 innings. Sexton has been more effective as a reliever, with a 1.17 ERA as compared with 5.09 as a starter. Tucker Tubbs and Nick Lovullo had two hits apiece, with Lovullo scoring three times. Santiago Espinal drove in three runs despite not registering a hit, getting RBI on an error, a force out, and a ground out, each with a runner on third base.
The win keeps Greenville a half-game ahead of Columbia, who won its ninth straight, in the race for the first-half Southern Division crown.
The win keeps Greenville a half-game ahead of Columbia, who won its ninth straight, in the race for the first-half Southern Division crown.
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The DSL squad continues to get solid pitching, as Gregory Santos turned in four scoreless innings. He gave up a pair of hits and struck out four, and has yet to allow a run in seven innings across two appearances. Alexander Martinez continues to lead the offense. He went 2 for 3, and now has hit safely in each of the Red Sox eight games.
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Player of the Day: Michael Chavis celebrated his selection to the Carolina League All-Star squad by going 3 for 3 with his 17th home run and three runs scored. His line for the season is up to .345/.414/.694, and he has a .708 slugging percentage, 13 RBI, and 12 runs scored in 12 games in June. In addition to his production, Chavis has shown great resiliency, starting every game since being reinstated from the disbled list on April 17
Photo Credit: Michael Chavis by Kelly O'Connor