July 11, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Scorching Dalbec homers twice in four-hit effort
7/11 Cup of Self-Serve Coffee: Bobby Dalbec continued his absurd week-long assault on Carolina League pitchers, blasting two homers and driving in five in Salem's victory. With the DSL squads rained out, Lowell and Greenville on scheduled days off, and the International and Eastern Leagues on their All-Star Breaks, the GCL Sox were the only other team in action, picking up the victory behind rehabbing hurlers Zach Schellenger and Austin Glorius along with lefty Rayniel Adames.
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It has been a mind-boggling eight game run for Bobby Dalbec, who had a career night on Tuesday. The third baseman was 4 for 4 with two homers, driving in five runs and even stealing a base. It was Dalbec's second four-hit game in five days, and the second two-homer performance of his pro career. The blasts give him 21 homers on the season, and 12 at Haley-Toyota Field, tying a team record set last season by Michael Chavis. Toiling in Dalbec's shadow, Trenton Kemp also delivered a two-homer game, blasting solo shots in the fourth and sixth innings.
Bryan Mata benefited from the power surge, getting credit for the win while allowing four runs on six hits in five innings. He struck out four batters, and his two walks where his lowest total in a start since walking a pair on May 10. Kevin McAvoy went four shutout innings to earn his first professional save. McAvoy allowed only one hit and struck out three without issuing a walk. He also induced eight ground ball outs.
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A quartet of Sox hurlers combined on a four-hitter, snapping a three-game losing streak. The first two of those arms were making their first appearances of 2018, coming off major injuries. Zach Schellenger, Boston's sixth-round pick in 2017, got the start and struck out two of the three batters he faced in a perfect first inning. Austin Glorius was tabbed for the second inning, striking out one and generating a pair of ground ball outs. After being used as a starter in his first four outings, Rayniel Adames took on more of a piggyback role, coming on in the third inning and surrendering only two hits in six shutout frames. Adames struck out five without walking a batter, lowering his ERA to 1.88. Brandon Howlett led the way at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a walk, double, run scored, and two RBI.
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DSL Red Sox1 vs. DSL Rays1, postponed
DSL Red Sox2 @ DSL Indians, postponed
Rain wiped out the entire Dominican Summer League schedule on Tuesday. Both these games will be made up on Wednesday as part of seven-inning doubleheaders.
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Player of the Day: We are running out of things to say about Bobby Dalbec that hasn't been said in this space over the last several days. In his last eight games, he is 18 for 31 with six homers and 19 RBI. His OPS for the season has gone from .820 to .941 in that span.
Photo Credit: Bobby Dalbec by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Bobby Dalbec by Kelly O'Connor