April 19, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Haley punches out seven, Rivera just short of the cycle
4/19 Cup of Coffee: It was a rough day for the Red Sox minor league system, as the four teams each took a loss. Jeremy Rivera (pictured) led the system with four RBI, while Justin Haley had a strong outing for Pawtucket.
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Sam Travis and Jantzen Witte each had two-hit outings, but Pawtucket was shut out despite getting two in scoring position in the ninth inning. Justin Haley allowed just four hits in 6 1/3 innings, but his throwing error with one down in the sixth put a runner on third, allowing a sacrifice fly to become the difference. Haley struck out seven and walked one. Ty Buttrey pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings with four strikeouts as well. Travis now has five consecutive multi-hit performances.
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Jeremy Rivera notched a career-high four RBI in a 3-for-4 game, but the Sea Dogs could not take their series with Hartford. Kevin McAvoy allowed a run in the second, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, canceling out Rivera's triple with the bases loaded in the second. Combined with his fifth-inning home run, Rivera was a double short of the cycle. Over the final three innings, Yankory Pimentel and Adam Lau combined to allow the five runs that proved to be the difference.
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Jhon Nunez had a strong offensive day behind the plate, hitting 3 for 4, but Salem could not come back from Darwinzon Hernandez allowing five runs in just 2/3 of an inning to begin the ballgame on just one hit. He walked three and also hit a batter. Bobby Dalbec hit his fourth home run, and Jerry Downs had two RBI, but the Nationals grabbed four more runs off Hildemaro Requena, all in the fifth, to secure the win.
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Columbia stymied Greenville's offense through six innings, allowing just four hits and one run, causing the Drive to drop their fifth straight game. Kutter Crawford allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on six hits. He struck out eight and walked one. CJ Chatham had two RBI and hit 2 for 5. Cole Brannen also had two hits. Columbia was up 5-4 after seven innings, but Angel Padron and Devon Fisher each gave up a home run to solidify the Fireflies' sweep.
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Player of the Day: With four RBI, Jeremy Rivera was the best of a rough day on the farm. He and Nunez each had three hits to top the system, but Nunez did not drive any runs home. The 23-year-old is on a four-game hitting streak, during which he is 7 for 14 with two extra-base hits.
Photo Credit: Jeremy Rivera by Kelly O'Connor