August 1, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Benge rips five hits on deadline day
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An excellent return to the rotation for Logan Boyd went for naught, as the Salem lineup managed only four hits. A starter during his stint with Greenville, the lefty had worked out of the bullpen in his first five appearances since his promotion earlier in July. Boyd allowed a run on five hits in six innings of work, striking out six and walking three. Austin Glorius took the loss in relief despite striking out five batters in just two innings. Glorius allowed a run on a hit and a pair of walks. Chris Madera drove in Salem's lone run, and he also was the only member of the starting lineup who did not strike out.
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Bryan Mata got the start for the Drive and raced out of the gate, striking out seven through three shutout innings. The 18-year-old righty was not able to sustain that momentum into the fourth inning when he allowed three hits, a walk, and a hit batsman on his way to surrendering four runs. Algenis Martinez was solid in relief, striking out five in 3 1/3 innings and allowing just one run coming on a solo homer. Roldani Baldwin recorded the only extra-base hit for Greenville, his organization-leading 27th double of the year and 10th during the month of July.
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It was a 17-hit explosion by the Spinners, and most of the thunder came off the bat of Garrett Benge. Getting the start at third base, the 13th-round pick went 5 for 5 with a double, triple, two runs scored, and five RBI. Brett Netzer continues to swing a hot bat, going 3 for 5 with a double and three runs scored to pick up his third multi-hit performance in his last four games and raise his average to .329 on the year. Marino Campana and Frankie Rios also turned in two-hit games for Lowell. Enmanuel De Jesus took care of business on the mound, scattering four hits across 5 1/3 shutout innings. He struck out five without walking a batter and lowered his ERA to 3.29.
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GCL Red Sox vs. GCL Orioles, PPD rain
The teams are scheduled to make up the contest on Tuesday as part a doubleheader.
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It was a tough day for the DSL squad, as the Dodgers1 team erased the Sox' two-game lead in the Northwest Division by sweeping Monday's doubleheader. In the makeup of the July 14 rain out, Ivan Houellemont paced the offense. The 18-year-old scored two runs as part of a 3-for-5 afternoon and added a stolen base. Angel Gonzalez had a double for the team's only extra base hit, and he drove in a pair. Starter Manuel Ramirez allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in 3 1/3, striking out four and walking one.
Little went well for the Sox in the regularly-scheduled contest, as the team managed only six hits - none for extra bases - while falling out of sole possession of first place. Luis Colmenares was solid in his start, giving up just one run on three hits in four innings. Gonzalez had two of the team's six hits, and Houellemont added another, giving both players four-hit days.
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Player of the Day: It was a dominant evening by Garrett Benge, who had five hits, eight total bases, and five RBI as Lowell picked up the only win of the day. A 13th-round pick, Benge turned in two strong seasons with the Oklahoma State Cowboys after dominating the JuCo circuit in 2015 for Cowley JC. Benge's big night raised his slash line for the season to .292/.410/.375.
Photo Credit: Garrett Benge by Kelly O'Connor