August 9, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: McAvoy, Beeks lead perfect night for Sox system
8/9 Cup of Coffee: It was a perfect night for the Red Sox affiliates with wins from the majors down through the GCL. Much of the success came from solid pitching performances, as Jalen Beeks bounced back for Pawtucket and Kevin McAvoy (pictured) hurled a gem for Portland. Meanwhile, Joran Betts and Jerry Downs came up with clutch hits for Salem and Greenville, respectively.
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The PawSox slugged their way to the win with 13 hits, including six extra-base knocks. Bryce Brentz drove in his 70th and 71st runs of the season in a 2-for-4 performance with a pair of runs scored. Matt Dominguez went 2 for 5 with three RBI. Brian Bogusevic set the table out of the two-hole, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI. Jalen Beeks got back into the win column with a quality start. He gave up just one run on three hits in six innings of work while striking out six and walking just one. A rehabbing Carson Smith did not allow a hit in his one inning of work, walking one and striking out one.
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Michael Chavis clocked his 11th Double-A home run and his 28th overall of the season, going 1 for 4 in the shutout win. Kevin McAvoy hurled an absolute gem, allowing just two hits in eight shutout innings of work. He struck out seven, walked two and picked off a runner at first. Danny Mars added two RBI in a 1-for-4 performance.
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Jordan Betts came up big with a clutch RBI double in the bottom of the eighth to put Salem ahead for good in a tight win. The third baseman went 2 for 4 on the game. Jose Sermo drove in Salem's other run in the bottom of the first. Kyle Hart was solid in five innings of work, giving up just one run on six hits while walking three and striking out five. Adam Lau was credited with the win, throwing two no-hit innings of relief. He did walk three batters, but managed to escape an eighth inning jam.
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A big sixth inning keyed the comeback for Greenville, as a pair of runs scored on wild pitches and a two-run home run from Jerry Downs put the Drive up for good. The clutch homer was Downs' first of the season. Jagger Rusconi went 2 for 4 with a run driven in. Jhonathan Diaz picked up his fifth win, giving up three runs in five innings of work.
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After fourth-round draft pick Jake Thompson got a shutout inning of work in with two strikeouts, Dakota Smith pitched six dominant innings of relief for the Spinners. The 24-year-old righty did not allow a run, giving up just three hits while walking one and striking out three. Marino Campana went 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
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The GCL Sox held off a late Rays rally to complete the system sweep for Tuesday. Pedro Castellanos carried the offense, going 3 for 4 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBI. Edilson Batista picked up the win with five shutout innings of work. He allowed just two hits and did not walk or strike anyone out.
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DSL Red Sox vs. DSL Rays1 (TB) (PPD.)
Rain washed out Tuesday's DSL matchup against the Rays. No makeup date has been announced.
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Player of the Night: Giving up just a pair of hits in eight stellar innings, Kevin McAvoy gets the nod. In what has been an up and down season for the 24-year-old Syracuse native, the win was McAvoy's longest outing of the season. McAvoy had been on a nice run before landing on the disabled list in mid-July. The seven strikeouts also tied a season-high for the righty.