August 5, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Ockimey homers, Haley returns
8/5 Cup of Coffee: Justin Haley returned to the PawSox and spun a gem despite a loss to Scranton-Wilkes/Barre. Josh Ockimey (pictured) hit his first home run with Portland, and Greenville's bullpen was perfect to nail down a win.
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Justin Haley made his return to the PawSox after being returned from the Twins and he did not disappoint. The righty tossed seven innings and allowed just one run while striking out three and walking none. However, Williams Jerez allowed two runs in the eighth to take the loss. Sam Travis went 3 for 4 with three singles and Rusney Castillo blasted his 13th home run of the year as part of a 2-for-4 showing.
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Josh Ockimey had a big night, belting his first home run with the Sea Dogs. He also added his second double. Jordan Procyshen also homered, and Joseph Monge had two hits and two RBI. Dedgar Jimenez started and did not pitch that well, allowing four runs on ten hits in six innings. Jake Cosart got the win with three strikeouts in two innings and Bobby Poyner picked up his sixth save with a scoreless ninth.
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The bats were hot in game one, as a five-run eighth inning allowed Salem to pull away. Jhon Nunez went 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI, while Conrad Gregor also had three hits and three driven in. Jeremy Rivera and Jose Sermo each had two hits as well. Roniel Raudes struggled, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits in just 4 1/3 innings. Adam Lau picked up the win in relief with two scoreless innings and two strikeouts.
The offense went silent in game two with just four hits. Tate Matheny roped a double and Conrad Gregor reached twice with a single and a walk. Kyle Hart and Austin Glorius allowed two earned runs in three innings each, as both allowed one home run and struck out two.
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After Ryan Scott threw out a runner at home plate in the fifth inning, Drive pitchers retired the final 12 in a row to hold on for the win. Hildemaro Requena picked up the win after allowing two runs in five innings, then Joan Martinez and Hunter Smith combined for four perfect frames. Martinez fanned five in three innings and Smith picked up his eighth save. Tyler Hill and Jerry Downs each had two hits and Carlos Tovar and Tucker Tubbs notched RBI singles.
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The Spinners put up a couple four-run innings but were unable to get the win. Michael Osinski went 2 for 5 with a home run and three RBI at the top of the order. Samuel Miranda was also 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Yorvin Pantoja took the loss, allowing seven runs on 11 hits in just 3 2/3 innings. Mitchell Osnowitz struck out six without a walk, but surrendered three earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.
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The GCL Sox lost a slugfest as Blake Swihart made a rehab appearance. Swihart hit third as the DH and went 1 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Cole Brannen and Pedro Castellanos each grabbed two hits, with Castellanos roping a double and Brannen scoring twice. David Durden also went 3 for 3 with two RBI. Alejandro Rodriguez took the loss after giving up six runs in three innings. Marcos Lantigua pitched well with three scoreless frames.
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The Sox dropped this one despite a nice start from Isaac Pinales, who went six innings and allowed just two runs with no walks and four strikeouts. Geraldo Perez took the loss by allowing four runs in two innings. Keibert Petit had a nice day by going 2 for 5 with an RBI and two stolen bases. Reinaldo Ugueto had a hit and an RBI as well.
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Player of the Night: After owning a 1.56 ERA in 11 appearances with the Lowell Spinners, Joan Martinez jumped up to Greenville and continued his domination during his first outing with the Drive. The 19-year old right-hander from the Dominican Republic tossed three perfect innings in relief with five strikeouts to help preserve a 3-2 lead. Martinez was signed as an international free agent in January of 2016.
Photo Credit: Josh Ockimey by Kelly O'Connor