July 15, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Mata, Jimenez, Kendrick all deal
7/15 Cup of Coffee: Both Dedgar Jimenez (pictured) and Bryan Mata turned in their second consecutive scoreless outing, while Kyle Kendrick pitched very well for Pawtucket. Rusney Castillo and Aneury Tavarez homered for Pawtucket while Mike Olt had a huge day for Portland.
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Kyle Kendrick dazzled last night to earn his third win. He tossed seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. Chandler Shepherd and Ben Taylor each threw a scoreless frame, with Shepherd racking up two strikeouts. Rusney Castillo and Aneury Tavarez each went 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBI. Brock Holt was also 1 for 5 with two RBI in a rehab game.
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It was a night to forget for Trey Ball, who lasted just an inning in which he allowed eight runs on nine hits. His ERA with Portland has jumped to 5.62. Jake Drehoff and Luis Ysla both struggled as well, but Jake Cosart pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings with three strikeouts. The Sea Dogs drew nine walks in the loss, with Mike Olt going 2 for 2 with a double and three of those walks. Jeremy Barfield and Henry Urrutia each went 1 for 3 with two walks, with Barfield blasting a home run. Danny Mars also had three hits.
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A five-run sixth inning was more than enough for Dedgar Jimenez, who spun seven shutout frames, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out six. Daniel McGrath was also tremendous in relief, tossing two scoreless innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Tyler Spoon paced the offense with a three-run triple that turned into a little league grand slam. Austin Rei, Jose Sermo, and Victor Acosta each smacked doubles.
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Bryan Mata continued to impress with his second consecutive game of five shutout innings. The 18-year old allowed just two hits and two walks over the five innings and had four strikeouts. Mata gets credit for a complete game, as it was called after five innings due to rain. At the plate, Mitchell Gunsolus was 2 for 2, Stephen Reveles had an RBI single, and Roldani Baldwin drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
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Yorvin Pantoja took the loss in a game where he was not backed by any run support. He allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking two. Denyi Reyes allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings and Dominic LoBrutto struck out both hitters he faced. Raiwinson Lameda went 2 for 4 and Garrett Benge went 1 for 2 with a double a pair of walks.
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The GCL Sox exploded for nine runs on 12 hits, with five members of the lineup recording at least two hits. Juan Carlos Abreu had a double and a triple, while Pedro Castellanos went 3 for 5 with two RBI. C.J. Chatham went 1 for 3 with two runs scored. Rayniel Adames started and allowed one run in four innings. Ritzi Mendoza picked up the win in relief with four strikeouts, no walks, and one run allows in three innings. Rio Gomez finished it off with two scoreless innings.
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The DSL Sox were not in action, as their tilt against the GCL Dodgers1 was rained out.
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Player of the Night: Dedgar Jimenez has thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings to lower his season ERA down to 3.07. The 21-year old left-hander was acquired as an international free agent signing in July of 2012. He is 10-3 with 93 strikeouts and 23 walks in 99 2/3 innings.
Photo Credit: Dedgar Jimenez by Kelly O'Connor