July 10, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rodriguez dominates in rehab start
7/10 Cup of Coffee: Eduardo Rodriguez (pictured) likely made the final start of his rehab assignment on Sunday afternoon, tossing 6 1/3 excellent innings en route to a walk-off win in Pawtucket. Top-ranked prospect Rafael Devers started for Team World in the Futures Game and went 1 for 4. Michael Chavis slammed a two-run homer and Henry Owens threw five shutout innings in a Portland win. Matt Kent and Dakota Smith turned in strong starts for Salem and Lowell while Darwinzon Hernandez struggled for the Drive.
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The first event of the MLB All-Star Break took place on Sunday afternoon as Team USA and Team World faced off in the Futures Game. Third baseman Rafael Devers was Boston's only representative in the game, going 1 for 4 with a couple of strikeouts for Team World. A pair of former Red Sox prospects split time at second base for the World team in Yoan Moncada (0 for 2 with a strikeout) and Mauricio Dubon (1 for 3 with a run). Michael Kopech threw a scoreless inning for Team USA, striking out Moncada.
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The PawSox wrapped up an exciting pitching duel in the 11th inning on a walk-off single by Jantzen Witte, scoring Ryan Court. Despite the exciting finish to the game, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez stole the show with an excellent rehab performance. Rodriguez had struggled in his first two rehab performances but he was lights out on Sunday, allowing one run while fanning seven and walking none in 6 1/3 innings. Marcus Walden earned the win in relief with four shutout innings, allowing a hit and punching out four.
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Michael Chavis provided the key blow for the Sea Dogs' offense with a two-run blast in the fourth inning. Right fielder Jeremy Barfield was the only Portland hitter with multiple hits, going 2 for 4 with a double. Erratic southpaw Henry Owens continued to struggle with his control but was able to limit the damage, tossing five shutout frames while walking five and striking out five. With a scoreless ninth, Bobby Poyner dropped his ERA to 0.47 in 19 1/3 innings since being promoted to Portland.
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The Red Sox lost despite an excellent start from Matt Kent, who threw 6 2/3 strong innings, allowing two runs with seven strikeouts and no walks. Adam Lau surrendered Salem's lead, allowing two runs in the ninth in a walk-off loss. Second baseman Nick Lovullo stood out in Salem's lineup, going 2 for 3 with an RBI triple in the sixth inning.
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The Drive rode a four-run third inning to a tight victory in Lexington. Roldani Baldwin capped that inning with a two-run homer and is now hitting .294/.329/.529 with 10 home runs in 57 games. Leadoff hitter Lorenzo Cedrola was 2 for 5 with a double and a run. Darwinzon Hernandez was able to rack up seven strikeouts in four innings but he struggled with command, walking three and allowing four runs (three earned). Kyle Hart got the win with four shutout innings of relief, surrendering only one hit.
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Dakota Smith notched a quality start on Sunday afternoon, allowing three runs in six innings with six punchouts and two walks. Jared Oliver allowed an unearned run in an inning of relief then Devon Fisher and Joan Martinez finished the game with a shutout inning each. Third-rounder Brett Netzer led the way on offense, going 2 for 3 with a run and two RBI. Catcher Nick Sciortino reached base three times, turning in a 2-for-3 day with a walk, double, and two runs. Marino Campana was 1 for 4 and smashed a two-run homer in the sixth.
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Player of the Day: In what was likely the final tuneup of his rehab assignment, Eduardo Rodriguez dominated for the PawSox. The left-handed Rodriguez, who once rated as the top prospect on SoxProspects.com, turned in 6 1/3 strong innings on Sunday afternoon. He allowed a run on six hits and no walks, striking out seven. Rodriguez has a 3.54 ERA in 61 innings in Boston this season and he'll probably rejoin the big club after the All-Star Break.
Phot Credit: Eduardo Rodriguez by Kelly O'Connor
Phot Credit: Eduardo Rodriguez by Kelly O'Connor