May 18, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Pedroia, Holt rehab for PawSox; two more hits for Duran
5/18 Cup of Coffee: Jarren Duran helped lead Salem to the organization's only win on Friday, but lost a point on his batting average in the process. The PawSox dropped their series opener despite the contributions of Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt (pictured, from 2013), while the two-way efforts of Korby Batesole were not enough to overcome Greenville's early deficit.
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A Jantzen Witte two-run homer gave the PawSox a first-inning lead, but the Stripers struck back quickly and never looked back. Starter Matt Kent surrendered seven runs, including three homers in 3 1/3 innings. Sam Travis turned in a notable evening at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double. The Pawtucket bullpen had a strong effort, with 5 2/3 scoreless innings allowing just one hit.
A pair of major leaguers were also at McCoy on rehab assignments. Dustin Pedroia played the first six innings at second base and went 1 for 3. Brock Holt made the third appearance of his rehab stint, getting the start at designated hitter and going 1 for 3 with a walk.
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The Sea Dogs skid continued, with a fourth consecutive loss and seventh in their last eight games. The loss came despite a strong start from Dedgar Jimenez, the fifth straight quality start from the big left-hander. Jimenez, allowed one run on seven hits in six innings, striking out four against just one walk. Jeremy Rivera recorded three of Portland's seven hits, and a Luke Tendler solo homer accounted for the lone Sea Dog run.
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Another night, another three times on base for the irrepressible Jarren Duran. The Salem catalyst was 2 for 5 with a walk, double, run scored, and pair of RBI as he extended his hitting streak to nine games. Garrett Benge also doubled and drove in a pair as part of a two-hit night, while Ryan Fitzgerald added his 10th two-base hit of the year. Enmanuel DeJesus got the start, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Robbie Baker got the win in relief in his 2019 debut, surrendering just one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless frames.
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It was a rough birthday party for Brayan Bello, who struggled in his first outing in 11 days. The righty turned 20 on Friday and attacked the strike zone, throwing 48 of his 58 pitches for strikes. Unfortunately, the West Virginia lineup was not fooled, tallying nine runs on 12 hits against Bello in his three innings. Oddanier Mosqueda and Rio Gomez continue to contribute out of the Greenville bullpen. The two combined for five innings without allowing an earned run, striking out nine and giving up just one hit. Korby Batesole (pictured, right) picked up a pair of hits and then moved over to the mound to pitch a scoreless ninth. It was the second time in a week that Greenville turned to the infielder to eat an inning, as Batesole also was unscored upon on May 10. Triston Casas singled, walked, and scored a run. Alan Marrero blasted his fourth homer in 49 at-bats, matching his long ball total from 2016 to 2018 combined.
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Player of the Day: Korby Batesole is turning into a two-way threat in Greenville. The shortstop picked up a pair of hits during his day job, then fired a scoreless inning for the second time in eight days. Batesole was a 26th-round pick out of Fresno State in the 2018 draft. Along with his work on the mound, he has played shortstop, second base, and third base.
Photo Credit: Brock Holt, Korby Batesole by Kelly O'Connor