June 20, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Montero impresses in Lowell; Salem, Greenville in All-Star action
6/20 Cup of Coffee: It was a full slate of action on Tuesday, with eight games scheduled, plus nine members of Salem and Greenville invited to the Carolina League and South Atlantic League All-Star games. Alexander Montero (pictured) was excellent in his 2018 debut for Lowell, while the GCL Red Sox moved to 2-0. The PawSox traded shutouts in their doubleheader, while Portland was swept in its twinbill despite the efforts of Danny Mars.
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Jalen Beeks failed to complete five innings for the first time in a PawSox start in over two months. Beeks allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in 4 2/3 innings, with most of the damage coming on a three-run first-inning homer by veteran first baseman Steve Pearce. Beeks struck out seven and walked four. The PawSox offense could not get anything going in the opener, getting held to a single apiece off the bats of Rusney Castillo, Adam Lind, and Ramon Flores.
After getting shut out in the opener, the PawSox returned the favor in Tuesday's nightcap. Fernando Rodriguez got the first assignment in the bullpen game, giving up just one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out five and walking one. Williams Jerez and Ryan Brasier split the other 3 1/3 to complete the shutout. Castillo drove in a pair as he notched another two hits, expanding his league lead to 83. Tzu-Wei Lin scored three runs out of the leadoff spot and slammed his fourth homer of the season.
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Mike Shawaryn was having another strong start before hitting the wall in the seventh inning. Trailing only 2-1 through six innings, the righty's stat line blew up when he allowed a walk, homer, and two singles, giving him a final line of six runs allowed on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Danny Mars was the only player to have multiple hits in the opener, as well as the only one to record an extra-base hit. He had a double as part of the 2-for-4 contest.
The Sea Dogs could not pull off the same magic in their nightcap bullpen game that the PawSox did, as Reading completed the sweep. Mars was again a bright spot, scoring two runs during another 2-for-4 effort, adding a triple and a stolen base. Jordan Betts drove in a pair, going 2 for 3.
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Five members from Salem played in the All-Star affair, with its two selected pitchers drawing the first two pitching assignments for the North squad. Daniel Gonzalez got the start, surrendering a leadoff homer to Winston-Salem Dash (CWS) outfielder Joel Booker. Matthew Gorst followed Gonzalez, surrendering a pair of hits in a scoreless second inning. Santiago Espinal got the start at DH, walking and scoring a run while going 0 for 4. Jerry Downs drew the first base assignment, going 0 for 3, while Roldani Baldwin entered the game at catcher in the seventh inning and popped out in his only plate appearance.
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The Greenville Drive sent four players to this year's game, as well as manager Iggy Suarez. Denyi Reyes pitched the third inning for the South squad, allowing one run. Devon Fisher, getting the All-Star nod two years removed from being converted from catcher, entered in the seventh and surrendered a two-run homer. Victor Acosta subbed in left field and went 1 for 4. Right-handed pitcher Kutter Crawford was named an All-Star but did not see action for the South.
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Alexander Montero got the start for Lowell and was excellent in his stateside debut. The 20-year-old righty went five innings, allowing a run on three hits and striking out seven without walking a batter. Taylor Ahearn pitched four shutout innings of relief to get credit for the win. 2018 fourth-round pick Kole Cottam drove in both Lowell runs, his first two RBI as a professional. Andre Colon had a double and triple as part of a 2-for-4 night.
SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall was in attendance, posting several observations on Twitter.
SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall was in attendance, posting several observations on Twitter.
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The GCL squad moved to 2-0 on the back of some strong pitching. Yasel Santana got the starting call after working much of last season for the DSL as a reliever. Santana allowed a run on five hits in six innings, striking out four and walking one. Eddy Reynoso got the win in his pitching debut. Reynoso has been in the Red Sox organization since 2014 as a catcher, and converted to the mound this year. He went two scoreless innings, allowing one hit. From the leadoff spot, Juan Hernandez went 1 for 3 with a walk and a double, while Jecorrah Arnold and Justin Qiangba added doubles for the Sox.
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The Sox took advantage of the Dodgers 10 walks, but were downed by wildness of their own. Jesus Maita reached base four times, going 2 for 3 with two walks. Luis Mota added a pair of hits, and cacther Jose Navas doubled for the Sox' only extra-base knock. Nine walks helped doom the Sox staff. Starter Brayan Aquino surrendered six free passes in 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs despite surrendering only one hit.
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DSL Red Sox2 vs. DSL Dodgers Guerrero, postponed
The other Red Sox DSL affiliate's scheduled game against the other Dodgers DSL affiliate was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up on Wednesday as part of a doubleheader.
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Player of the Day: Rarely does a player getting swept in a doubleheader get the nod here, but Danny Mars was a catalyst for the Sea Dogs despite their overall trouble on the day. Mars was 4 for 8 with a double, triple, and stolen base. He now has an eight-game hitting streak, and a .309/.350/.491 slash line since flipping the calendar to June.
Photo Credit: Alexander Montero by Kelly O'Connor