July 23, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Lovullo rips clutch home run for Salem
7/23 Cup of Coffee: It was a very quiet night for the bats as Salem was the only affiliate to pick up a win. Nick Lovullo blasted a clutch two-run homer in the ninth inning to put it away for Salem. Shaun Anderson (pictured) pitched very well, Jay Groome struggled, and Tanner Houck made his second start of the year. Bryce Brentz belted another home run for Pawtucket.
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The PawSox took a 4-2 lead into the ninth, but Austin Maddox blew the save and allowed four runs. Shawn Haviland started and pitched well, allowing just one run in 6 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and one walk. Bryce Brentz went 2 for 4 with his 21st long ball of the season. Aneury Tavarez and Dan Butler also went 2 for 4. Rafael Devers was 1 for 4 with a single and two strikeouts.
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Portland scattered eight singles and was unable to push a run across. Chad De La Guerra, Michael Chavis, and Jake Romanski each picked up a pair of knocks. Roenis Elias made his third appearance of the season and first with Portland. He threw 47 pitches over 2 2/3 innings and allowed one run on a solo home run while walking one and striking out one. Teddy Stankiewicz tossed 5 2/3 innings of relief and allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Trevor Kelley was roughed up for two runs in just 2/3 of an inning.
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Salem came alive late with the bats, scoring once in the seventh and eighth and three in the ninth. Jordan Betts was 2 for 4 with his ninth home run, while Nick Lovullo went 1 for 4 with a go-ahead two-run shot in the ninth. Josh Ockimey was 2 for 5 with an RBI and Austin Rei singled and walked twice. Shaun Anderson was brilliant for the first five innings, allowing just one run while striking out eight and walking none. Logan Boyd picked up the win in relief with four strikeouts and no walks in three innings. Gerson Bautista allowed a run but still got the save in the ninth with three strikeouts.
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Top pitching prospect Jay Groome did not have his best stuff or control last night, as he allowed five earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings with four walks and four strikeouts. The third inning was not kind to Groome, as he allowed an infield single and two walks before serving up a grand slam. Robby Sexton gave up two more in his 4 1/3 innings of work and Algenis Martinez pitched a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts. Lorenzo Cedrola and Roldani Baldwin each slugged homers while Mitchell Gunsolus went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.
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Right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck made his second appearance of the season after being selected by Boston in the first round. He did not last long, just 1 1/3 innings, but SoxProspects.com's Director of Scouting was in attendance and noted that Houck's stuff was a little bit down from his first start. Dustin O'Linger struck out seven in 4 2/3 relief innings but allowed two runs on four hits and three walks. Jared Oliver struck out three in two innings and Joan Martinez flashed a big fastball in his lone inning of work with three strikeouts. Yoan Aybar roped a double and Brett Netzer went 1 for 4. Nick Sciortino drove in the only run with an RBI single.
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The GCL Sox mustered just three hits, including a double by Pedro Castellanos. Andre Colon and Everlouis Lozada each singled as well. Edilson Batista was tagged for six runs (five earned) in just 1 1/3 innings to start the game. Alejandro Rodriguez was much better, tossing 3 2/3 shutout innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Juan Bermudez also had a scoreless frame with a strikeout.
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DSL Red Sox 6, DSL Rays 5
The Red Sox won in walk-off fashion, pushing across the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Alexander Martinez drew a walk with the bases loaded to force home the Red Sox's sixth run. Fabian Andrade and Rafael Rincones were the offensive standouts in this one, each notching three hits, including a triple and Andrade added a double to his resume as well. Andres Jimenez surrendered two runs in four innings and was followed by Juan Morillo with two scoreless frames. Luis Rivero notched the win with a hitless ninth inning.
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Player of the Night: Shaun Anderson pitched very well for the third straight outing. Over his past three outings, he has allowed just three earned runs in 17 2/3 innings with 21 strikeouts to just two walks. The 2016 third round pick has his ERA with Salem under four at 3.99.
Photo Credit: Shaun Anderson by Kelly O'Connor