July 23, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Duran keeps hitting as Lowell's win streak comes undone
7/23 Cup of Coffee: It was a tough afternoon on the farm, as two affiliates were rained out, and the other three were rendered winless. A bright spot was Jarren Duran (pictured, right), who picked up five hits across two games in support of fellow 2018 draftees Thad Ward and Chris Machamer. Despite the efforts of the Class of '18, the Spinners saw their winning streak snapped at 11 games.
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The PawSox drew a tough test on Sunday with 2015 first-round pick Kolby Allard on the bump for Gwinnett. Justin Haley held his own opposite the Braves' phenom, striking out four and allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings. Kyle Wren hit an eighth-inning solo homer that knotted the game at 3-3 before the Stripers came away with the win in extras. Rusney Castillo scored the PawSox other two runs, going 1 for 4 with a double and a walk.
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Portland Sea Dogs vs. Hartford Yard Goats, cancelled (rain)
The 23rd and final contest of the season between Portland and Hartford was rained out. Portland won five of the final eight head-to-head contests after winning only two of the first 14.
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CJ Chatham was the only Sox player with multiple hits, going 2 for 4 to raise his average back up to the .300 mark. Nick Sciortino had his fourth double of the season for Salem's only extra-base hit. On the mound, Jake Thompson allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in five innings.
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Greenville Drive @ Asheville Tourists, postponed (rain)
The Drive and Tourists were rained out to complete Greenville's final 2018 trip to Asheville. The two teams will play a doubleheader in Greenville on August 31 as a make-up.
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The Spinners' winning streak was halted at 11 in the completion of Saturday's suspended contest. Jarren Duran was already 1 for 2 when the game resumed, and he went on to add three more hits and a pair of stolen bases. After Thad Ward allowed a run in three innings on Saturday, Marcus Walden was first on the hill on Sunday. The rehabbing right-hander allowed a run on two hits in 1 2/3 innings. Hunter Haworth, profiled earlier in the week by SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall, took the tough-luck loss, going 3 1/3 innings and giving up just an unearned run. Haworth struck out four and walked one.
Chris Machamer took the hill in Lowell's regularly scheduled contest. In his second appearance since signing, the former Kentucky Wildcat allowed a run on five hits in three innings, striking out three without issuing a walk. Duran added his 44th base hit of the season, putting him second in the New York-Penn League and giving him 12 more than any of his teammates. Jonathan Ortega did not record an out in the nightcap, going 1 for 1 with two walks and a stolen base.
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Player of the Day: It has been an outstanding first professional season for 2018 seventh round-pick Jarren Duran. After picking up three hits to complete a 4-for-5 effort in the completion of Saturday's suspended game, Duran added an additional hit. Along with his team-leading 44 hits and .352 batting average, Duran also leads the club with nine triples, 11 steals, and a .552 slugging percentage. All the more impressive is that he is doing so while adjusting to center field after spending much of his time as an amateur as a second baseman.
Photo Credit: Jarren Duran by Kelly O'Connor