July 13, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Chavis goes deep; Duran, Bazardo lead Lowell
-----
The PawSox opened their second-half schedule with a strong effort highlighted by Justin Haley. The righty allowed two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out a season-high nine batters. Bobby Poyner surrendered a rare run, only the second time in his last 10 Triple-A outings that he has been scored upon. Ty Buttrey pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 to get credit for the save, his first of the season. After joining the team from Portland to take the roster spot of Boston-bound Tzu-Wei Lin, Tony Renda played a key role for the offense. The veteran infielder got the start at second base and was 2 for 4 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Aneury Tavarez provided insurance with a two-run homer in the eighth inning.
-----
After falling behind 4-0 in the first inning, the Sea Dogs clawed their way back to a comeback win coming out of the All-Star break. Michael Chavis hit his first Double-A home run of the season, a two-run fifth-inning blast that cut the deficit to 4-3. Jeremy Rivera and Danny Mars had two hits apiece at the top of the order. Dedgar Jimenez settled in after allowing those four first-inning runs, holding the Fisher Cats at bay through the sixth. Travis Lakins got the win with a hitless seventh inning.
-----
All good things must come to an end, and so it was on Thursday evening with Bobby Dalbec's hitting streak. A nine-game hitting streak may seem routine on its face, but Dalbec was 19 for 35 with six homers and five doubles before his 0-for-4 night. Michael Osinski had a pair of hits, including his first double since last week's promotion from Greenville. 2017 first-round pick Tanner Houck (pictured, left) was more effective than his final line indicated. Four of the five runs allowed by Houck scored in the seventh after he'd cruised through the first six innings with one run allowed on two hits, having thrown just 73 pitches. The right-hander struck out four and got 11 outs via ground balls.
------
The rain tore through Fluor Field with one out in the bottom of the second, suspending the contest. Before the suspension, Hildemaro Requena had tossed two hitless innings. The game will resume at 4 p.m. on Friday, followed by the regularly-scheduled contest.
-----
Eduard Bazardo had his fourth consecutive start with one or fewer runs allowed as the Spinners rolled in Auburn. Bazardo allowed just three hits over six innings, surrendering one run. He struck out six without issuing a walk, lowering his ERA to 2.53 on the year. Jarren Duran continues to be the catalyst for the Lowell offense. He reached base four times on Thursday, going 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored. He led off the game with a triple, his seventh in only 21 games. Trey Ganns doubled twice and drove in a pair, while Jonathan Ortega has a single and two walks.
-----
The Sox were held to three hits by a quintet of Athletics hurlers. Manuel Ramirez was a bright spot, hurling four shutout innings out of the bullpen. Ramirez allowed only two hits, striking out three and walking one.
-----
The injury-ravaged Red Sox2 squad continues to reel, dropping their 11th game in the last 15. Angel Maita, fresh off being named to the league's All-Star game, delivered a pair of hits and scored the only run. Irvin Villarroel was a tough-luck losing pitcher, allowing just one unearned run on four hits in four innings, striking out six and walking one.
-----
Player of the Day: Eduard Bazardo has made six starts for Lowell, and has allowed zero or one run in five of them. The 22-year-old righty out of Venezuela sports a 2.53 ERA and 0.781 WHIP on the year. Bazardo struck out six without walking anybody, giving him 37 punch outs against only four free passes for the year.
Photo Credit: Eduard Bazardo, Tanner Houck by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Eduard Bazardo, Tanner Houck by Kelly O'Connor