August 23, 2017 at 1:16 PM
Cup of Coffee: Shawaryn leads Salem, Tubbs loses streak
8/23 Cup of Coffee: It was a rough night down on the farm, as just two affiliates eked out wins. Mike Shawaryn (pictured) led Salem to victory, while Lowell rode an offensive outburst to the win. Greenville and Portland were on the wrong end of lopsided scores, and Pawtucket failed to overcome and early deficit. Both the GCL and DSL squads dropped their contests as well, though in doing so the DSL club dropped back ever so slightly in the playoff picture.
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The PawSox pushed across just two runs in the fourth, courtesy of a Matt Dominguez home run following a double off the bat of the resurgent Bryce Brentz. Brentz and Deven Marrero each tallied two hits in the game. Blake Swihart, meanwhile, was held hitless, striking out three times a part of an 0-for-4 performance. Roenis Elias was roughed up, essentially out of the gate, surrendering a solo shot to just the third batter of the game. Elias took the loss after allowing four runs on 10 hits in seven innings, though he did also punch out seven batters. Chandler Shepard came in out of the pen and was tagged for Buffalo's final two runs over two innings of work.
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Trey Ball put Portland on the wrong side of a blowout, as he recorded just two outs and allowed seven runs to cross the plate, though only two of them were earned. A throwing error from Michael Chavis accounted for the continuation of the inning. It was Chavis' 16th error of the season, and fifth with Portland. Josh Smith, Jake Cosart, and Ty Buttrey went the rest of the way, allowing just one more run. Josh Tobias and Deiner Lopez were the only two Sea Dogs who were able to muster hits off of Thunder pitching.
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Mike Shawaryn notched his fifth win of the season with seven innings of two-run, three-hit baseball. Austin Glorius took the ball and fired a scoreless eighth inning and Adam Lau nailed down his seventh save of the season with a scoreless ninth. Jordan Betts gets the offensive credit, lacing an RBI double in the fourth and then scampering home with Victor Acosta as Potomac's first baseman made two errors on the same play with Tyler Spoon at the dish.
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It was an uneven night for 2016 first rounder Jay Groome. The big left-hander did not allow a hit in three innings, but he struggled mightily with his control, walking six batters and throwing only 37 of 75 pitches for strikes. One of the season's most unlikely streaks came to an end on Tuesday. First baseman Tucker Tubbs came in to pitch for the fifth time in 2017, but his streak of 10 2/3 scoreless innings came to an end when he surrendered a home run to the first batter he faced. At the plate, Brett Netzer picked up three hits, while Ryan Scott delivered an eighth-inning grand slam.
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After compiling just nine hits in their previous three-game series, the Spinners offense exploded for 16, including seven for extra bases. Every starter had at least one hit for Lowell, with Michael Osinski and Frankie Rios leading the way with three apiece. Osinski's night included a solo homer, walk, and three runs scored. Yoan Aybar and Marino Campana also went deep. Durin O'Linger was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, getting the win while allowing three runs in five innings of work.
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Despite the loss, it was another big day for Everlouis Lozada. The third baseman raised his average to .318 by going 3 for 5 with a double, stolen base, and pair of runs scored. Tyler Esplin and Ramfis Berroa added two hits apiece. Second-round draft pick Cole Brannen left the game after being hit by a pitch in the fifth inning. Eduard Bazardo took the loss, allowing four runs in 3 2/3 innings, striking out five.
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It was another wild extra-inning encounter for the DSL Sox, but they couldn't make their walk off magic work once again. Tied 2-2 through nine innings, both teams scored twice in the 10th, before the Marlins added another three runs in the 11th. The Sox scored a pair of runs and had runners on second and third in the bottom of the frame, but the Marlins were able to get the strikeout of Marcos Martinez to seal the win. It was a tough end to a solid game for Martinez, who had a pair of hits and scored a run. Yasel Santana was a standout in relief, delivering 3 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out a pair.
The loss knocks the team 1/2 a game behind the DSL Dodgers1 for first place in the Northwest Division. The Rangers2 squad also won, pulling them within a 1/2 of the Sox for the wild card spot. There are only four days left in the regular season, and the Sox are scheduled to play a grueling six games in that span, including a doubleheader on Wednesday.
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Player of the Day: Mike Shawaryn gets the nod, as he spearheaded one of just two affiliate victories on the day. Sharwaryn tallied his fifth win with Salem after earning an additional three victories in Greenville before an early June promotion. Last year's fifth-round selection has acquitted himself well in his first full season, pitching to a 4.10 ERA across 120 2/3 innings, while averaging just over five innings pitched in his 24 starts.
Harry Burnham contributed to this post.
Photo Credit: Mike Shawaryn by Kelly O'Connor