August 22, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Drive eclipse Power on Baldwin walk-off
8/22 Cup of Coffee: Only one stateside affiliate got a victory on Monday, but Greenville's game provided enough action for an entire organization: 15 runs, a walk-off win courtesy of Roldani Baldwin (pictured), and your run-of-the-mill 22-minute solar eclipse delay. Elsewhere, the DSL Sox got another win to continue their run toward the postseason, and Michael Chavis broke out of a short slump with a four-hit performance.
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The PawSox entered the ninth with a lead, but the advantage cratered with an error and pair of homers leading to a four-run Bisons ninth. Brian Johnson continues to orbit around the 70-pitch mark as he ramps up after a late-July shoulder injury. The lefty struck out five in four innings of work without issuing a walk but gave up two runs on a pair of solo homers. Heiker Meneses had a three-hit night out of the leadoff spot, and Ryan Court homered for the 10th time this season. Carson Smith struck out two in a perfect inning of relief in his rehab stint.
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Michael Chavis entered Monday's action having scuffled recently, with only six hits in his previous 35 at-bats. He turned that around quickly with a 4-for-4 night with two doubles and the only Sea Dogs RBI. Portland missed several opportunities, going 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and stranding 10 runners in the contest. The victim of that lack of timely hitting was Dedgar Jimenez, who gets a no-decision despite another stellar performance. Jimenez allowed just one (unearned) run on four hits in six innings, striking out five. He lowered his ERA to 2.34 in six starts since his promotion from Salem.
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The season-high 6,636 in attendance at Fluor Field certainly got their money's worth, as the moon blocked the sun, causing a 22-minute delay. Beyond the celestial events of the afternoon, there was some exciting baseball being played in the Path of Totality. Roldani Baldwin starred in the win, delivering a walk-off single after West Virginia scored twice in the top of the ninth to even the contest at seven. Earlier in the day, Baldwin kept pace with Chavis for the organization lead in doubles, ripping his 33rd of this season. Bobby Dalbec also doubled as part of a two-hit day, and Ryan Scott blasted a three-run fifth inning homer. Darwinzon Hernandez continues to display supernatural raw stuff, striking out eight batters in five innings. Unfortunately, his outing fell back to earth when he allowed home runs in both the fourth and fifth innings.
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Yankee pitchers dimmed the Lowell lineup in a three game series that saw the Spinners compile only nine hits. In Monday's loss, Yomar Valentin was the only player to reach base more than once, as he singled, walked, and was hit by a pitch. Enmanuel De Jesus was the tough-luck loser, allowing a run on seven hits in 5 1/3, striking out four against one walk. Devon Fisher shined in relief with 2 2/3 hitless innings, striking out three.
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Unlike the moon, the GCL Sox were unable to overcome the Rays on Monday, as the lineup managed only four hits. Cole Brannen was 0 for 3 and has fallen into a 4-for-34 skid, but he did walk twice and swipe a bag in the loss. Starter Angel Padron gave up only a pair of hits in five innings, striking out six.
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Down 3-0 entering the sixth, the Sox flared back with runs in the sixth, eighth, and ninth for the comeback win. Freiberg Marin lit the way, going 3 for 3. Juan Morillo was excellent in relief, scattering six hits across 4 1/3 innings.
The DSL Dodgers1 and DSL Rangers2 both also won on Monday, keeping pace at a 1/2 game behind in the division and 1 1/2 behind in the wild card, respectively. The Sox have a grueling seven games in the next five days as they try to hold onto their playoff berth.
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Player of the Day: Entering the 2017 season, the star had seemingly dimmed on 2014 first-round pick Michael Chavis, as he came off a pair of ineffective seasons, his bright start to 2016 darkened by a wrist injury that blocked out his power. But the third baseman has burst through like a supernova in 2017. His two doubles on the day give him 64 extra-base hits on the season, the most by a Red Sox minor leaguer in three years.
Photo Credit: Roldani Baldwin by Kelly O'Connor