May 21, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Chatham, Netzer key Salem sweep
5/21 Cup of Coffee: After enduring an eight-game losing streak and then four consecutive days of rainouts, things were going pretty rough for Salem headed into the weekend. But after getting back into the win column on Saturday, the Sox exploded for 21 hits to sweep Sunday's doubleheader in Wilmington. Brett Netzer (pictured) and CJ Chatham played major roles in both ends of the twinbill.
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The PawSox offense sputtered during their three-game sweep in Rochester, managing just one run in the series. Ivan DeJesus collected three of Pawtucket's six hits, including a double. Dustin Pedroia, who has been on rehab assignment, got the day off due to slick conditions after appearing in consecutive games for the first time. The offensive struggles overshadowed a solid day by the pitching staff. Marcus Walden drew the starting assignment, giving up one run on five hits in 3 1/3. Williams Jerez was particularly impressive out of the bullpen, striking out five across his two scoreless innings of work.
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It was a tough afternoon for the Sea Dogs as Altoona salvaged a split of the four-game set. The two hits from Jeremy Rivera included Portland's only home run, a seventh-inning solo shot. Starter Dedgar Jimenez struggled, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, including two homers, in four innings. Trey Ball was the only Portland pitcher not to surrender a run, as the left-hander tossed a scoreless seventh.
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Darwinzon Hernandez got plenty of support as he turned in his first quality start of the 2018 campaign. Hernandez allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings. The left-hander struck out five, walked one, and hit a pair. In his second game since being activated from the disabled list Saturday, Jordan Procyshen was 3 for 3 with a double and pair of RBI. Tyler Hill ripped a two-run homer as part of his two-hit effort, his first homer since August 20. Brett Netzer and CJ Chatham also had a pair of base hits, with Netzer picking up a double.
Salem completed the sweep of the doubleheader and the three-game series, matching the score of Sunday's opener. Chatham and Netzer again played key roles, with the former going 2 for 3 and the latter adding a double, walk, and two RBI. Santiago Espinal was 3 for 4 with two runs scored after being held hitless in the first game, while Bobby Dalbec ripped a pair of doubles, giving him an organization-leading 11. Daniel Gonzalez allowed three runs on five hits in four innings in his start. Jared Oliver got credit for the win with his three innings of hitless relief.
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Greenville's contest was suspended in the second inning with the score knotted at one when the skies opened up. The game will be completed when Augusta returns to Fluor Field on May 29.
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Player of the Day: Eight days ago, Brett Netzer doubled to extend his hitting streak to six games. On Sunday, he finally got a chance to continue that streak, and he made the best of it. Netzer was 3 for 6 with two doubles, a walk, and two RBI on the afternoon. The 2017 third-round draft pick's batting average continues to climb back toward .300: through Sunday it stands at .293.
Photo Credit: Brett Netzer by Kelly O'Connor