May 6, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Jimenez strong for Sea Dogs; Casas doubles again
5/6 Cup of Coffee: If Portland splitting a doubleheader with Binghamton feels like déjà vu, it's not just you reading the SoxProspects.com Cup of Coffee before your own cup of coffee has set in; the Sea Dogs and Rumble Ponies really did split their third doubleheader in nine days on Sunday. Dedgar Jimenez (pictured) turned in a quality start in the opener, giving Boston's affiliates their only win on the day. Greenville fell despite Devlin Granberg and Triston Casas keeping up some fine hitting and Salem squandered several opportunities before Myrtle Beach opened things up late.
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Pawtucket Red Sox vs. Rochester Red Wings (MIN), postponed
Rain continues to be the PawSox biggest enemy, as Sunday's game at McCoy Stadium marked their seventh postponement of the year. The two teams will try to make it up on June 7 as part of a doubleheader.
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Despite tallying just five hits, Dedgar Jimenez came up big to end Portland's three-game skid. Jimenez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings, striking out five, walking two, and inducing eight ground-ball outs. After a slow start to the season, the big lefty has turned in three consecutive quality starts. Zach Schellenger fired a hitless seventh inning to get credit for his first professional save. All of Portland's offense came during a four-run sixth-inning outburst, highlighted by a two-run base hit off the bat of Bobby Dalbec. Continuing on his rehab assignment, Dustin Pedroia played five innings in the field and went 0 for 2 at the plate. Major league veteran Cody Asche, just signed to a minor league deal, made his debut in the organization. Asche got the start in left field and went 0 for 2.
In the mirror-image of the first game, a four-run sixth inning rally was Portland's undoing in the nightcap, as the Sea Dogs dropped the rubber match of a five-game set that included two doubleheaders. Following five solid innings by starter Matt Kent, Durbin Feltman had his second straight difficult outing. The 2018 third-round pick allowed a single, a pair of walks, and a decisive grand slam. Feltman has now surrendered four runs in one inning in his last two appearances, as he's watched his ERA rise from 3.86 to 11.00. Brett Netzer had a pair of doubles in the nightcap, while Dalbec turned in his second 1-for-3 effort of the day. Luke Tendler had a three-run double and a sacrifice fly.
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Salem squandered more than its share of opportunities, going 2 for 17 with runners in scoring position. Marco Hernandez continues to ramp up in his comeback from shoulder surgery. He got the start at shortstop, going 2 for 5 with a double, bringing him to 15 for 38 with five two-base knocks in his last 10 games. Ryan Fitzgerald and Victor Acosta also submitted two-hit efforts, bringing their 2019 averages to .352 and .346, respectively. Daniel Gonzalez suffered the tough-luck loss, giving up two runs (one earned) in six innings. He struck out two without issuing a walk.
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Greenville fell on Sunday despite the continued strong efforts of Triston Casas and Devlin Granberg. Casas ripped his ninth double of the year, giving him an organization-leading 13 extra-base hits. He added a walk and was hit by pitch. Granberg, who entered the contest 8 for 16 in his previous four, had a triple, a walk, and two RBI. Cole Brannen was 2 for 4 with a walk from the leadoff spot. Starter Hunter Haworth gave up a run on four hits in five innings, striking out four and walking three.
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Player of the Day: After an uneven 2018 season with Portland, Dedgar Jimenez got off to a rocky start to 2019 in his return engagement with the Eastern League. However, he has steadied the ship in his last three outings, giving up just four earned runs in 18 innings. With his five punchouts on Sunday, he now has 17 during that stretch, against only six walks.
Photo Credit: Dedgar Jimenez by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Dedgar Jimenez by Kelly O'Connor