April 18, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Curcio knocks 4 hits; Lin delivers 3 RBI
4/18 Cup of Coffee: For the upper minors, it was a night of offensive battles, as both Pawtucket and Portland needed 11 runs to record victories. Another recurring theme was ineffective starting pitching, as Chandler Shepherd, Dedgar Jimenez and Yasel Santana each allowed six runs or more. Michael Chavis continued his offensive tear, notching his fourth home run this season. Salem failed to stave off the sweep against Down East in a four-hour, 12-minute, 11-inning nail-biter.
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The PawSox were able to overcome Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s tape measure home run and a seven-run first inning by the Bison in an offensive outburst where each team belted 13 hits. Four Pawtucket hitters had two hits and four more had multiple RBI. Tzu-Wei Lin (pictured, left) led the way, going 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles and three RBI, while Michael Chavis drilled his fourth home run of 2019 in the seventh inning. All 11 of the Red Sox' runs came across three frames. Chandler Shepherd allowed seven runs, none of which were earned, on five hits in 2/3 of an inning. Josh Ockimey committed an error with two outs, allowing the stanza to continue. Bobby Poyner struck out six batters in two innings as part of a bullpen that allowed just one run in 8 1/3 frames of work.
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In an extra-innings affair, Portland bested Pawtucket's offensive output by generating 14 hits to score 11 runs, including four in the decisive tenth inning. Dedgar Jimenez had a rough outing, lasting just 1 2/3 innings. He allowed six runs, all of which were earned, on three hits to go along with four walks. However, Matt Kent, Andrew Schwaab and Adam Lau combined to pitch 8 1/3 innings of one-run, four-hit ball. Keith Curcio led the Sea Dogs with four hits, including a two-run home run. Luke Tendler (3 for 5) and CJ Chatham (3 for 6) each had three hits, while Tendler drove in three runs.
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Down East Wood Ducks (TEX) 5, Salem Red Sox 4 (11 Innings)
Runs in this matchup were tough to come by, as it was 2-2 heading into the ninth. Each team scored in the ninth and 10th, but Salem was unable to keep the trend going in the bottom of the 11th and suffered a sweep at the hands of the Wood Ducks. Ryan Fitzgerald continued his nine-game hitting streak with two more hits, while Pedro Castellanos and Victor Acosta also had two base knocks. Jhonathan Diaz earned the starting nod, allowing two runs on six hits in four innings of work. Joan Martinez brought Salem into the late innings with three shutout frames, notching five strikeouts. Three of Salem's runs scored via wild pitches.
Runs in this matchup were tough to come by, as it was 2-2 heading into the ninth. Each team scored in the ninth and 10th, but Salem was unable to keep the trend going in the bottom of the 11th and suffered a sweep at the hands of the Wood Ducks. Ryan Fitzgerald continued his nine-game hitting streak with two more hits, while Pedro Castellanos and Victor Acosta also had two base knocks. Jhonathan Diaz earned the starting nod, allowing two runs on six hits in four innings of work. Joan Martinez brought Salem into the late innings with three shutout frames, notching five strikeouts. Three of Salem's runs scored via wild pitches.
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Yasel Santana continued the theme of poor starting pitching performances, allowing six runs on six hits in four innings. He walked three and struck out four. However, the offense only notched five hits and was not able to mount a comeback. Devlin Granberg had the team's lone RBI, and no player recorded more than one hit. Yoan Aybar and Alex Demchak each delivered a shutout inning of relief.
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Player of the Night: On a night with no shortage of offensive output, Tzu-Wei Lin stood out. He had two doubles and recorded three RBI. His second double came with two outs in the eighth, and completed Pawtucket's comeback from being down 7-0 in the first inning. Lin now has a .286/.355/.393 line this season with three doubles. If the 25-year-old continues to hit, he could factor into the equation in Boston later in the year.
Photo Credit: Tzu-Wei Lin by Kelly O'Connor