May 28, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Jimenez sharp as Matheny walks off Portland
5/27 Cup of Coffee: It was a Memorial Day filled with fireworks, as both affiliate wins were decided in the eighth inning or later. Portland rewarded an excellent performance from Dedgar Jimenez with a walk-off grand slam courtesy of Tate Matheny (pictured). In Greenville, Chase Shugart returned to action following his PED suspension and earned the win with a strong performance, and Triston Casas continued his excellent May with a home run.
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It was a frustrating night for Pawtucket, as the Red Sox fell after starter Matt Kent struggled in the fifth inning. Things had been going smoothly for Kent, who surrendered only one run in his first four innings but suddenly allowed six runs to cross in the fifth inning. Erasmo Ramirez found himself pitching out of the bullpen for the first time in 2019 and combined with Adam Lau to finish the game for Pawtucket with 4 2/3 scoreless innings. Despite only scoring three runs the PawSox were efficient on offense, scoring three times despite only notching four hits and a walk. Sam Travis showed some power with his third home run of the season, but only Cole Sturgeon and Josh Ockimey were able to drive in runs as Pawtucket's offensive output came up short.
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Portland completed the series win against Altoona thanks to some strong performances on both sides of the ball and some late-inning heroics from Tate Matheny. Matheny was the hero for the Sea Dogs as he walked them off with a ninth-inning grand slam, his first home run of the season. Earlier in the game, Matheny also doubled while Bobby Dalbec and Brett Netzer chipped in with two hits apiece. On the mound Dedgar Jimenez got the start and was excellent, hurling six scoreless innings and striking out as many Altoona batters. Jake Cosart was wild in his second appearance for Portland, walking two and allowing an unearned run to score. Jordan Weems and Durbin Feltman each struggled in their appearances, allowing a run each before being redeemed by Matheny's ninth-inning grand slam.
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In Salem, the Red Sox found themselves on the other side of a series loss, dropping their third straight game against the Dash. Salem was unable to do much on offense despite a strong performance from Ryan Fitzgerald. Fitzgerlad notched three hits including a double and has now collected multiple hits in four of his last five games. Garrett Benge smacked his sixth double of the year, and Victor Acosta singled twice.
Things got off to a bad start for Salem due to the struggles of Enmanuel De Jesus, who surrendered three runs before being pulled with two outs in the fifth. Hunter Smith was able to settle things down with 1 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, but Winston-Salem roughed up Andrew Schwaab to the tune of three runs in his 1 2/3 innings of work. Eduard Bazardo closed out the game for Salem by striking out two in a scoreless appearance.
Things got off to a bad start for Salem due to the struggles of Enmanuel De Jesus, who surrendered three runs before being pulled with two outs in the fifth. Hunter Smith was able to settle things down with 1 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, but Winston-Salem roughed up Andrew Schwaab to the tune of three runs in his 1 2/3 innings of work. Eduard Bazardo closed out the game for Salem by striking out two in a scoreless appearance.
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Making his first start of 2019 since returning from the restricted list, Chase Shugart was sharp. The right-hander went 5 1/3 innings and only surrendered two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out six. Logan Browning took over in the sixth inning and earned the save, hurling 3 2/3 innings and surrendering two runs (one earned) while striking out three.
Triston Casas continued his red hot May with a strong performance, launching his eighth long ball of the year, walking and scoring twice. Alan Marrero also put in a strong shift by smacking two doubles, while Jordan Wren doubled, singled, and scored twice while Jonathan Ortega drove in two runs despite not collecting a hit.
Triston Casas continued his red hot May with a strong performance, launching his eighth long ball of the year, walking and scoring twice. Alan Marrero also put in a strong shift by smacking two doubles, while Jordan Wren doubled, singled, and scored twice while Jonathan Ortega drove in two runs despite not collecting a hit.
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Player of the Day: Although he has struggled thus far in his second stint in Double-A, Tate Matheny has begun turning things around of late. With his game-winning grand slam, Matheny has now collected multiple hits in four of his last six games and hit safely in 12 of his last 14.
Photo Credit: Tate Matheny by Kelly O'Connor