May 27, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Acosta and De Jesus homer; System swept again
5/27 Cup of Coffee: The affiliates were swept for the second straight day on Saturday, losing all six contests, including two sets of doubleheaders. The farm combined for 13 runs scored while allowing a total of 36. Ivan De Jesus Jr. and Victor Acosta (pictured, below) were the two lone players to hit homers.
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Fernando Rodriguez Jr. was hit hard for six hits, four earned runs, and two long balls in just 2 2/3 innings of work as the PawSox dropped Game 1 of a doubleheader in seven innings. It was Rodriguez' first start in a PawSox uniform as the 33-year-old right-hander saw his ERA balloon to 7.36 in 7 1/3 innings with Pawtucket.
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Although Pawtucket out-hit Lehigh Valley seven to six, the PawSox lost Game 2 of a doubleheader in seven innings. Sturgeon went 1 for 3 with his third hit of the doubleheader while Ivan De Jesus Jr. smacked a two-run home run in the fourth inning.
Jalen Beeks took the loss, throwing six innings of four-hit, four-run ball while racking up eight strikeouts. Beeks did allow two homers, however.
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Daniel McGrath allowed back-to-back singles in the top of the eighth in what proved to be the difference in an extra-inning loss for the Sea Dogs in Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Fightin Phils. Dedgar Jimenez pitched seven strong innings, allowing seven hits but only three earned runs while striking out four.
Austin Rei had the lone extra-base hit for the Sea Dogs with a double but Portland went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.
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In a lackluster offensive day for Portland, Josh Ockimey was the only hitter with an extra-base hit as the Sea Dogs lost Game 2 of a doubleheader with Reading in seven innings, and were swept in the twin bill. A 1 for 8 showing with runners in scoring position in Game 2 made for a 1 for 14 overall performance in the doubleheader from the Sea Dogs' offense.
Travis Lakins earned his second loss of the season by allowing four earned runs in three innings of work.
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Pinch-hitter Carlos Tovar knocked in Chris Madera for the Red Sox' lone run in the top of the eighth as Salem lost to Wilmington at Frawley Stadium. Tall right-hander Tanner Houck picked up his sixth loss of the season and saw his ERA tick up to 5.27. Houck hurled five innings of eight-hit, five-run ball and only struck out one.
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A solo home run in the top of the sixth and an RBI sacrifice fly in the eighth from Victor Acosta delivered the Drive their only runs in a loss to the Fireflies. Charlie Madden added two hits and has now hit safely in three straight as his batting average now stands at .379 after 31 plate appearances. Hildemaro Requena took the loss, his first since his demotion to Greenville on May 21.
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Player of the Day: Although it isn't not saying much, Victor Acosta accounted for all of Greenville's RBI's in a 9-2 loss to Columbia on Saturday. Acosta had a home run and a sacrifice fly and is now batting .302 in 129 at-bats. His dinger was the 21-year-old's fourth of the season.
Photo Credit: Victor Acosta by Kelly O'Connor