July 17, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Ockimey walks it off for Salem
7/17 Cup of Coffee: Bryce Brentz continued his powerful ways in a PawSox win, knocking a three-run homer. Michael Chavis's home run was one of few highlights as Henry Owens walked six in a blowout loss for the Sea Dogs. Josh Ockimey (pictured) was the hero in a walk-off win for Salem, going 3 for 6 with the game-winning homer. Jay Groome and Dakota Smith had strong starts in losses for Greenville and Lowell. The DSL held its All-Star Game, with Gregory Santos, Rayniel Moreno, and Alexander Martinez representing the Red Sox.
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Starting pitcher Marcus Walden turned in a strong outing in a blowout win for Pawtucket, allowing one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings, fanning five. Kyle Martin tossed 2 2/3 innings and Chandler Shepherd provided one inning of scoreless relief. Bryce Brentz powered the PawSox offense with a three-run homer as part of a 2-for-4 game. Matt Dominguez was 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBI. Shortstop Mike Miller reached base four times, going 3 for 4 with a walk. After a phenomenal Triple-A debut, Rafael Devers was 0 for 4 with a walk in his second game on Sunday.
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Henry Owens' control issues continued as he walked six and allowed six runs in four innings. With the loss, Owens now holds an 8.38 ERA with 17 walks in 9 2/3 innings since his demotion to Portland. Trevor Kelley worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out one and allowing three hits. Michael Chavis was one of few offensive standouts for the Sea Dogs, going 1 for 3 and clubbing a two-run blast, his fifth in 22 games in Portland.
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First baseman Josh Ockimey capped a 3-for-6 day with some walk-off heroics, sending Salem home with a solo home run in the 12th inning. Jeremy Rivera had a strong day for the Red Sox lineup, going 2 for 6 with a double and a run. Mike Shawaryn had his best stuff on the mound, striking out nine and walking one in five innings, allowing two runs. Marc Brakeman and Gerson Bautista each allowed a run in two innings out of the bullpen. Stephen Nogosek earned the win with three shutout frames, dropping his ERA to 1.74 in 10 1/3 innings in Salem.
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A poor performance by the Greenville offense was unable to support a strong outing from Jay Groome. The number-two prospect in the system struck out seven and walked one in five innings, allowing two runs. Robby Sexton allowed one run in four innings of relief. Catcher Isaiah Lucena paced the Drive lineup with a 3-for-4 game. Lorenzo Cedrola was 2 for 4 with a double and a run, raising his line to .289/.321/.381 this season.
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The bullpen blew an early Spinners lead and Lowell fell in extra innings on Sunday. Right fielder Juan Barriento had a huge game, going 4 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and two RBI. Brett Netzer went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Yoan Aybar was 2 for 5 with a run and two strikeouts. Starting pitcher Dakota Smith allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking two. Devon Fisher allowed three unearned runs in an inning and Juan Florentino allowed two runs in 2 2/3 frames.
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The DSL held its All-Star Game on Sunday afternoon and three Red Sox players participated. Gregory Santos threw a scoreless third inning and Rayniel Moreno tossed 2/3 of a shutout inning in the eighth. Alexander Martinez started in center field and went 0 for 2 while scoring a run.
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Player of the Day: It took them twelve innings but Salem was eventually able to pull out a win thanks to a huge day from Josh Ockimey. The eighth-ranked prospect in the system hit a walk-off home run as well as a double in a 3-for-6 game. The strong game brought Ockimey's line up to .276/.393/.452 and the home run was his 10th of the season.
Photo Credit: Josh Ockimey by Kelly O'Connor