April 25, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Duran, Marco Hernandez drill 3 hits; strong start for Jimenez
Cup of Coffee 4/25: It was a busy night in the Red Sox system, where Salem slugged out 15 hits and Greenville won not only a suspended game, but the regularly scheduled contest as well. However, Pawtucket was nearly shut out and Portland was unable to score a run. Marco Hernandez (pictured) and Jarren Duran each belted out three hits in Salem's victory. On the mound, Dedgar Jimenez, Teddy Stankiewicz and Chris Machamer each delivered quality starts for their respective teams.
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The PawSox avoided the shutout with a Jantzen Witte RBI single in the ninth, but they were unable to overcome Lehigh Valley's strong pitching. Rusney Castillo and Sam Travis each had multi-hit games, while Teddy Stankiewicz gave his team a chance to win. He allowed three runs on six hits in six innings of work, though he did issue four free passes. Jeremy Bleich contributed a clean eighth inning and Jenrry Mejia allowed just one hit in the ninth.
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Hartford Yard Goats (COL) 3, Portland Sea Dogs 0
Each team had six hits, but three Portland errors helped Hartford plate two unearned runs, making the difference. Starter Dedgar Jimenez allowed just one run on three hits in six innings of work. However, two errors in the eighth allowed a pair of runs to score, both charged to Jordan Weems, who allowed two hits and issued one walk in his two innings of work. Luke Tendler and Jerry Downs each had two hits, and Zach Schellenger pitched a shutout seventh inning.
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It was an offensive explosion for Salem, as they punched out 15 hits, including three each from Jarren Duran and Marco Hernandez. Pedro Castellanos also added a pair of doubles, registering three RBI. Ryan Fitzgerald and Hernandez each drove in two runs as well. Five of the nine Salem hitters recorded multiple hits. Eduard Bazardo completed the contest with three no-hit innings, with just one walk to earn his first save of 2019. Bryan Mata allowed four runs, three of which were earned, on five hits in four innings of work. Salem scored their runs in bunches, registering four runs and five runs in the third and sixth frames, respectively.
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Tuesday night's game was suspended in the bottom of the third inning, with Greenville on top 4-3. Picked up on Wednesday, the visitors were able to complete the victory. Alan Marrero and Marino Campana each drilled home runs, both in Tuesday's portion of the contest. Triston Casas and Cole Brannen each contributed two hits. Oddanier Mosqueda picked up where Angel Padron left off after the delay, allowing one run on two hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. Yoan Aybar and Rio Gomez each struck out four batters in two shutout innings to close the game out.
It took extra innings, but Greenville took both games completed Wednesday. Brandon Howlett drilled a double to force the extra frame, while a Jordan Wren single and Triston Casas sacrifice fly each drove home a run in the eighth. Chris Machamer allowed nine hits in his six frames, but allowed only two runs to come across the plate. Eight of the nine Greenville batters recorded a hit.
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Player of the Night: It's been a long time coming for Marco Hernandez. In just his third game since May 3, 2017 due to injury, the 26-year-old went 3 for 4 with two RBI. Hernandez hit .276/.300/.328 in 21 games in Boston during 2017, but he was just 1 for 7 in the first two games of his rehab stint. If Hernandez can return to the form he had before his shoulder injury, that could be a boost to the big league club, which is struggling with infield depth.
Photo Credit: Marco Hernandez by Kelly O'Connor