July 6, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Dalbec mashes as Salem wins slugfest
7/6 Cup of Coffee: Thursday treated the organization well, as five of the seven affiliates that got in games came away with wins. Bobby Dalbec (pictured, left) has been an all-or-nothing story this year, and his work yesterday fell firmly into the "all" category. The third baseman racked up four hits, increasing his system lead in home runs and doubles in a Salem slugfest. Josh Ockimey and Jantzen Witte helped power a Sea Dogs rout, while Kutter Crawford was once again on his game for Greenville. Aldo Ramirez turned the pitching performance of the night, turning in five no-hit innings for the DSL Red Sox1, while Carlos Velez was a tough-luck loser for their Red Sox2 counterpart.
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Scheduled starter Justin Haley didn't even get a chance to throw a pitch, as the PawSox game at Frontier Field was suspended by rainstorms after the top of the first inning. The game will resume when Pawtucket returns on August 21.
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The Sea Dogs belted out 15 hits, including seven for extra bases, in their Thursday night romp through Hartford. Jantzen Witte had a huge night, with a three-run homer capping a 3-for-5 effort that included a double and four RBI. Josh Ockimey had a three-hit evening of his own, while Tony Renda and Danny Mars both had a double and homer apiece. Dedgar Jimenez was the beneficiary, getting the win with two runs allowed in five innings. Jimenez struck out seven and walked three. Matthew Gorst and Travis Lakins continued their respective scoreless streaks. Gorst is unscored upon in four outings since joining the Sea Dogs, while Lakins is unscored upon in 12 appearances since moving to a short relief role.
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Every Red Sox player had a hit, but it was the Bobby Dalbec show on Thursday night in Woodbridge, Virginia. Dalbec doubled twice and homered during a 4-for-5 night that included three RBI and a pair of runs scored. SoxProspects.com Executive Editor Chris Hatfield was in attendance, and he reported that the homer went to deep right-center field and came on a 75-mile per hour breaking ball. Ryan Scott added four RBI, including a pair on a fifth-inning home run. It was an uneven start for Bryan Mata, as the 19-year-old righty allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings. Control was again an issue, as he walked five batters and hit another against three strikeouts. It was the ninth consecutive start in which Mata has walked at least three, and he has issued 55 free passes in 66 innings.
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Kutter Crawford (pictured, right) turned in yet another quality start to lead the Drive. Crawford allowed two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings. His six strikeouts give him 99 for the season, and he walked only one. The 6 2/3 innings matched a season high, and it was the 12th time in 16 starts that Crawford allowed two or fewer runs. SoxProspects.com June Player of the Month Tanner Nishioka hit his third home run of the season to pace the offense. Ryan Fitzgerald walked three times and stole a base.
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After sitting out on Wednesday, rehabbing top prospect Michael Chavis returned to the lineup for Lowell, starting at third base. Chavis doubled for the second time in three games, good for Lowell's only extra-base hit. 2017 second-round pick Cole Brannen had a pair of hits for the Spinners. Hunter Haworth was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs in 2 2/3. Durbin Feltman, Boston's third-round pick last month, turned in his third straight scoreless outing. He struck out one and has faced the minimum nine batters in his three appearances.
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Yasel Santana continued to impress in the Gulf Coast League, leading a trio of hurlers in a four-hitter. Santana allowed one run on two hits in five innings, striking out five and walking two. He has allowed exactly one earned run in each of his four outings. Chad Hardy led the offense, going 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles.
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The Sox held the Dodgers hitless into the seventh inning, hanging on for the three-hit shutout in the 1-0 nailbiter. Aldo Ramirez went five hitless innings in his start, striking out four and walking one. Alvaro Leal and Luis Colmenares went two innings apiece to get credit for the hold and save. A first-inning sacrifice fly off the bat of Ceddanne Rafaela scored Gilberto Jimenez with the game's only run. Brandon Rincones had two of the Sox four hits.
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While their Red Sox and Dodgers counterparts were taking part in pitchers duel resulting in just one run, these two squads combined for twice that total. Sox pitching held the Dodgers to just six hits, but a two-run double surrendered by Carlos Velez proved decisive. Velez went five innings, allowing four hits and striking out five against one walk. Luis Hernandez and Gabriel Perez both doubled for the Sox.
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Player of the Day: For all of his strikeout issues, Bobby Dalbec has re-emerged as a premier power threat in 2018. He blasted his 17th home run of the year, four more than anyone else in the system and 10 more than any other Salem player. His 24 doubles also give him the system lead. He also leads the Carolina League in both of those categories, as well as RBI (64). He ranks third in walks (44), second in Isolated Power (.279), and fourth in slugging percentage (.517).
Photo Credit: Bobby Dalbec, Kutter Crawford by Kelly O'Connor