July 22, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Crawford continues to cut it; Hardy hits big homer
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A Kyle Wren sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning plated Sam Travis and tied the score at four apiece, but the Stripers struck for one run in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with the win. Josh A. Smith allowed a walk, a double, and intentionally walked a batter to load the bases before giving up the game-winning RBI single. Overall, Smith pitched pretty well, allowing six hits and the one run in three innings of relief. Chandler Shepherd got the start, allowing four hits and four runs in five innings of work. The outing marked a vast improvement from his prior two starts, when Shepherd allowed nine hits in a no-decision against Charlotte last Monday and a loss to Rochester on July 3.
Rusney Castillo collected three of Pawtucket's eight hits, while Ivan De Jesus Jr. had the other multi-hit performance, going 2 for 3 with a run in the loss.
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After allowing just two runs in a string of five games, the Sea Dogs' solid pitching continued on Saturday, but the bats fell silent wasting a fine performance from Kyle Hart. The tall left-hander picked up the loss, his fourth in his last six starts, and sixth of the season, but didn't deserve it, firing seven-strong innings and giving up just one earned run on five hits while striking out six. Not helping the cause were runs given up by relievers Trey Ball and Travis Lakins in the eighth and ninth, respectively.
Tate Matheny, Luke Tendler and Deiner Lopez all had multiple hits, with the latter recording three. Tendler drove in Matheny for Portland's lone run with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth.
Tate Matheny, Luke Tendler and Deiner Lopez all had multiple hits, with the latter recording three. Tendler drove in Matheny for Portland's lone run with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth.
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Kevin McAvoy got roughed up in his second start with Salem since his demotion to Single-A in late June. The 6-foot-4 righty surrendered seven hits and four runs in 3 1/3 innings, striking out five and walking two. Algenis Martinez didn't fare much better in relief, giving up three runs in 3 2/3 innings. Victor Acosta went 2 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI, and Roldani Baldwin hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning to account for the rest of Salem's runs.
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The sixth inning doomed the Drive on Friday, but a nine-run offensive outburst on Saturday put Greenville in front for good. For a second straight day, Ryan Fitzgerald delivered a home run, this time it was a solo shot in the sixth. Jordan Wren, in his 25th game with the Drive, blasted his first home run, a solo shot in the seventh. Wren also added a double and two more RBIs an inning earlier.
Not to be overshadowed by the offense, Kutter Crawford continues his streak of late, notching his fifth win of the season, and the fifth victory in his last seven starts, dating back to June 15. The right-hander did give up eight hits but limited the damage to just three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Not to be overshadowed by the offense, Kutter Crawford continues his streak of late, notching his fifth win of the season, and the fifth victory in his last seven starts, dating back to June 15. The right-hander did give up eight hits but limited the damage to just three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
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Gameplay was stopped in the third inning and suspended due to rain with the Spinners holding on to a one-run lead. Tyler Dearden and Devlin Granberg had the two RBIs for Lowell before play was halted. The game will resume on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader.
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Chad Hardy homered for a second straight day, delivering a crucial two-run blast in the bottom of the ninth with one out to tie the game at six apiece before Caleb Ramsey singled in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 10th. Eddy Reynoso picked up the win with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
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The Red Sox put up a 14-hit performance, going 6 for 18 with runners in scoring position to power past the Marlins. Gilberto Jimenez, Leonel Jimenez, Luis Mota and Jesus Maita all had multi-hit performances. Jeison Pena earned the win with 3 1/3 innings of hitless relief.
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The 19-year-old from the Dominican Republic continues to impress as Brayan Bello garnered his third win in his last four starts, pitching five innings of three-hit ball while striking out five. Bello's ERA moves up a tick to 1.74 (from 1.73 coming into the start) as the right-hander wins his fourth game of the season. Oscar Rangel recorded two RBI in the win.
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Player of the Day: The daily honor goes to someone who had the most clutch performance of the night: Chad Hardy. The 21-year-old right-handed hitting outfielder smacked a home run for a second straight day, this one being a two-run shot that tied the game in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings before the GCL Red Sox won on a walk-off an inning later.
Photo Credit: Kutter Crawford & Chad Hardy by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Kutter Crawford & Chad Hardy by Kelly O'Connor