August 30, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Diaz, Scott carry Greenville to dramatic win
8/30 Cup of Coffee: The Drive had a flair for the dramatic to push the team's win streak to six games thanks to stellar pitching from Jhonathan Diaz and a walk-off hit by Ryan Scott (pictured). The PawSox couldn't provide any offensive support for Jalen Beeks. Logan Boyd pitched a quality start in a loss for Salem. The DSL team staved off playoff elimination - but only thanks to Mother Nature.
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The bats fell silent for the PawSox, as they could not support Jalen Beeks. The lefty fell to 6-6 in Triple-A, giving up four runs on seven hits - including a two-run home run - in five innings of work. He also walked four, threw a pair of wild pitches and struck out four. Bryce Brentz went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts. Brian Bogusevic hit the only extra-base hit of the game for the PawSox, going 1 for 3 with a double.
A five-run fifth inning did in the Sea Dogs, with Kevin McAvoy and Elih Villanueva roughed up in that inning. Mike Olt provided much of Portland's offense with a two-run home run in the sixth and a sacrifice fly in a 1-for-3 performance. Josh Ockimey extended his hit streak to five games, going 1 for 2 with a double, a walk, a sac fly, an RBI and a run scored. A rehabbing Matt Barnes pitched a scoreless first inning, allowing one hit and one walk and striking out one.
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Salem's offense rallied in Tuesday's game twice, but the pitching could not hold on. Chris Madera went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI, but struck out with the bases loaded to end the game. Conrad Gregor went 2 for 5 with a two-run home run. Logan Boyd pitched a quality start, giving up three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. He walked three and struck out six. The winning run for Frederick scored on a wild pitch from Marc Brakeman, who actually did not allow a hit in 1 1/3 innings of work.
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The Drive extended its winning streak to six games in dramatic fashion. Ryan Scott continued his impressive run of RBI at just the right time with a game-winning single in the 12th, plating Mitchell Gunsolus. That came five innings after Tyler Hill had tied the game on a solo home run. Jhonathan Diaz impressed in one of his best outings of the year on the mound, giving up just one run on five hits in seven innings of work. He walked one and struck out six. Jared Oliver kept the game knotted at 1-1 with three perfect innings relief with three strikeouts. Algenis Martinez was also stellar in relief, allowing just one hit and striking out three in two innings, earning the win.
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The Spinners were held to just three singles on the game, struggling to get any offense going. Yoan Aybar went 1 for 2 with a walk. The coaching staff continues to limit the workload of fourth-round pick Jake Thompson, who allowed one run on two hits and a walk in two innings. He also struck out four.
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Kervin Suarez reached base four times, stole a base and came up a home run shy of the cycle, propelling the GCL squad to the win. Eddy Reynoso and Ramfis Berroa each added solo home runs. Everlouis Lozada went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Juan Perez was excellent in six innings of work, allowing just one run on four hits, while walking two and striking out five.
Alberto Schmidt picked the perfect time to snap his seven-game hitless streak, lacing a walk-off single in game two. Ramfis Berroa had a monster game, going 2 for 3 with a two-run home run, a double, a run scored, and five RBI.
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The DSL team will live to fight another day, thanks to a rally and to rain. The game was suspended in the fifth inning right after the Sox had tied game two of the three-game series on RBI from Willis Figueroa and Freiberg Marin. Alexander Montero lasted four innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out two and walked two. The game will be completed on Wednesday.
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Player of the Night: While a near cycle in the GCL for Kervin Suarez is a great option, Jhonathan Diaz gets the nod with a clutch performance on the mound. After struggling in June, the 20-year-old lefty from Venezuela has a 2.65 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 10 starts across July and August.
Photo Credit: Ryan Scott by Kelly O'Connor