September 5, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Dalbec helps Greenville cap record-setting season
9/5 Cup of Coffee: Another regular season has come to an end for all of Boston's affiliates with the exception of Lowell. The only squad to qualify for the playoffs also picked up the only win on the day. Greenville was powered by Bobby Dalbec (pictured) and a lineup that ripped 15 hits in its final tuneup for the South Atlantic League playoffs. Pawtucket, Portland, and Salem limped into the offseason with losses, and Lowell continues to struggle, getting swept in a doubleheader by Hudson Valley.
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A depleted PawSox roster was little match for the Red Wings. Jalen Beeks closed out his regular season by allowing four runs on six hits in 4 2/3. Brian Bogusevic picked up three hits in the loss, and Ryan Court finished the season with his 21st double.
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Kevin McAvoy finished up a solid 2017 campaign by allowing two earned runs in five innings, striking out three and walking one. Teddy Stankiewicz followed, making his first career relief appearance that was not in deference to a rehabbing starter. The former second-round pick struggled, allowing five runs on four hits in 2 1/3. Catcher Danny Bethea took the mound to record the final out of the regular season. Appropriately, Michael Chavis homered in his final game of the season. It was his 31st of the year, most by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Ryan Lavarnway went deep 32 times back in 2011.
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Kyle Hart allowed three or fewer runs in eight of his nine starts with Salem, and he got credit for only three wins to show for his effort. Monday was more of the same for the left-hander, as he allowed just one run in six innings, striking out five and walking one. Jose Sermo picked up his 35th double of the season, finishing tied for the organizational lead with Chavis and Roldani Baldwin.
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With a playoff spot clinched in the first half, Greenville stayed on the gas through the season on its way to a franchise record 79 wins. Monday's 15-hit barrage was led by Bobby Dalbec, who homered in the third inning and doubled twice on a 3-for-5 day. Tucker Tubbs drove in a pair with his three-hit effort, and Ryan Scott closed the regular season calendar with his second straight three-hit day. Setting the pitching staff for the upcoming playoffs, the Drive used six pitchers, none for more than two innings. 18-year-old righty Bryan Mata struck out one in a perfect first inning. Joan Martinez tossed another scoreless frame, finishing with a 1.11 ERA between Lowell and Greenville.
The South Atlantic League playoffs kick off Wednesday. The Drive will open a best-of-three series on the road against the Charleston RiverDogs (NYY) on Wednesday night.
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With the Gulf Coast League season complete, three standouts from that squad made their Lowell debuts on Monday, Second-round pick Cole Brannen was joined by Kervin Suarez and Everlouis Lozada in the Spinners lineup to open the first game of the twin-bill. Suarez and Lozada had two hits apiece, while Brannen was held to an 0-for-3 game. Jake Thompson got the start, walking one in two hitless innings.
First-round pick Tanner Houck got the start in the nightcap. The former Missouri Tiger allowed a pair of runs in two innings, striking out three without walking a batter. Marino Campana blasted his fourth homer of the season, a two-run blast in the sixth inning.
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Player of the Day: A season of ups and downs closed on a high note for 2016 fourth-round pick Bobby Dalbec. After struggling both with issues both related to health (a wrist injury) and performance (strikeouts), Dalbec doubled twice and homered on the last day of the regular season, giving him 13 extra-base hits in his final 14 games.
Photo Credit: Bobby Dalbec by Kelly O'Connor