July 5, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Groome dominates, earns first pro win
7/5 Cup of Coffee: For the second straight start, Jay Groome (pictured) dominated on the mound in what was also his return to Greenville. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Henry Owens continued to struggle with his command in his first start since his demotion to Portland. Eduardo Rodriguez also struggled in a rehab start for Pawtucket. Outfielder Victor Acosta made a splash in his debut for Salem. Two 2017 draft picks - Brett Netzer and Kutter Crawford - made their pro debuts for Lowell.
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In his second rehab start working towards returning from the disabled list, Eduardo Rodriguez once again put up warning flags with a rough outing. The 24-year-old lefty struggled with his command in four innings of work, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks. He also struck out five and threw 88 pitches. Jantzen Witte clubbed his third home run of the season in a 1-for-3 performance. Jhonny Peralta belted his second home run since signing with the Sox. Pablo Sandoval went 1 for 4 in a rehab start.
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Henry Owens continued to battle through command issues in his first start since his demotion to Portland. The big lefty failed to escape the first inning, walking six batters and giving up three runs without allowing a hit. Portland pitching allowed 12 walks in total. Rafael Devers went hitless as the DH, going 0 for 4. Michael Chavis was one of the few bright spots on offense, going 2 for 3 with a walk.
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Salem exploded for 13 hits on offense, led by Victor Acosta in his High-A debut. The 21-year-old Venezuelan went 3 for 3 with a double, a walk and two RBI. Jose Sermo jacked his sixth homer of the season, going 1 for 3 with two runs scored and a walk. Matthew Kent shined on the mound, allowing just one run on four hits in seven innings pitched. He walked one and struck out six.
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Jay Groome returned to Greenville for the first time since his season debut and dominated in his second straight start. The 18-year-old lefty earned his first professional win, allowing only a bunt single and no runs in five innings of work. He struck out seven and walked just one. Robby Sexton was also impressive in relief, hurling four one-hit, shutout innings. Tucker Tubbs went 1 for 4 with an RBI.
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A pair of 2017 draft picks made their pro debuts for Lowell on Tuesday. Making the start for Lowell, 16th round draft pick Kutter Crawford got an inning of work in. He allowed one hit and one walk, no runs and struck out two. Third-round pick Brett Netzer went 0 for 4 in his debut. Tenth-round pick Jordan Wren continued his hot start to his professional career, going 2 for 4 with his first career double and a run scored. Durin O'Linger took the loss in 3 1/3 innings of relief.
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The GCL Sox rallied with five unanswered runs in the final three innings for the win. Ramfis Berroa had a nice day at the dish, going 2 for 5 with his first home run of the season and a stolen base. Seventh-round pick Tyler Esplin went 1 for 2 with a double, two walks and two runs. Francisco Lopez-Soto picked up the win in two innings of no-hit relief, striking out three.
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The DSL squad exploded for 15 runs on 13 hits, including an eight-run fifth. Eduard Conde and Luis Hernandez each went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and three RBI. Alejandro Rodriguez went five shutout innings to earn the win. He struck out seven and walked none, while allowing six hits - five of which were singles.
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Player of the Night: In his last ten innings of work, Jay Groome has allowed only a bunt single, and his latest outing earns him Player of the Night honors. All seven of Groome's strikeouts were swinging. Groome lowered his Greenville ERA from 60.75 all the way to 12.79, due to his nine-run season opener where he suffered the injury that put him on the disabled list. Groome also impressed by throwing just 60 pitches in his outing.