June 17, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Castillo, Dalbec shine in Father's Day twinbills
6/17 Cup of Coffee: It was an eventful Father's Day down on the farm, with two teams in doubleheader action and two other squads closing out first-half play. Strong pitching was the story down the system, with no starter allowing more than three runs. Teddy Stankiewicz tossed a shutout as Rusney Castillo (pictured) kept raking in the PawSox split. Portland got quality starts on both ends of its twinbill, with Bobby Dalbec and a returning CJ Chatham helping to break out the brooms. A huge offensive day sent Salem into the All-Star break as winners, while Greenville could not break through heading into the break. Lowell gave another look at why it is the most interesting affiliate in the system, with Gilberto Jimenez and Aldo Ramirez leading the way.
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A pair of rehabbing hurlers took the mound in the first game of the PawSox doubleheader. Steven Wright went the first two innings, allowing a run on two hits as he struck out one and walked a pair. Tyler Thornburg took the loss, allowing a run and walking two in 2/3 of an inning. Daniel McGrath made his Triple-A debut in a long-relief role, allowing three runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. Rusney Castillo cut a four-run deficit in half with a sixth-inning two-run homer. Sam Travis doubled twice in his return from a two-week stint with the major league club.
Teddy Stankiewicz got more support than he needed, shutting down the Indianapolis lineup in the night cap. The right-hander scattered six hits across a seven-inning complete game shutout, striking out seven and walking just one. Stankiewicz threw 66 of 97 pitches for strikes, and surrendered only one extra-base hit. Castillo was again a catalyst, going 2 for 3 with a double, walk, and three runs scored. Travis picked up another two hits, while Josh Ockimey homered as part of a two-hit effort.
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Dedgar Jimenez made a successful return to the Eastern League after a two-start sabbatical with the PawSox. The big lefty gave up just three hits across six shutout innings, striking out four and issuing three walks. Jhon Nunez drove in a pair, including one with a seventh-inning solo homer. Bobby Dalbec singled and was walked twice (once intentionally). CJ Chatham singled and had an RBI in his first action since going on the Injured List on May 22.
Another quality start gave Portland the sweep of its doubleheader. It was Denyi Reyes doing the honors in the nightcap, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings of work. Reyes struck out four, walked two, and was tagged for a pair of home runs. Jordan Weems struck out two in a scoreless seventh to record the save. Jarren Duran played a key role out of the leadoff spot, going 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Dalbec scored two runs after a double and another intentional free pass. Joey Curletta drove Portland's final three runs on a single and a double.
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The Sox closed out their first half on a roll, plating 16 runs to run their winning streak to five games. Edgar Corcino and Tanner Nishioka had monster games for Salem, with both players registering a three-run homer during the onslaught. Corcino set the stage for the afternoon with his first-inning blast on his way to a 3-for-5 effort that included five RBI. Nishioka went deep in the fourth inning, adding an RBI double to his three-hit day. Pedro Castellanos scored three times and drove in a pair of runs, and Jagger Rusconi was 2 for 5 with two runs and a double.
The outburst at the pate gave Enmanuel De Jesus a comfortable cushion to work with. The left-hander allowed one run on seven hits in six innings, striking out three without walking a batter.
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The Drive missed their chance for a third consecutive series win, setting instead for a split of the four-game set with their cross-state rivals. Kevin Biondic was solid in his first professional starting nod, giving up one run on three hits in four innings. Oddanier Mosqueda suffered a tough-luck loss as he gave up a decisive unearned run during an inning in which he also struck out the side. Devlin Granberg doubled as part of a two-hit day. He will take his solid .290/.391/.463 slash line to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Triston Casas hit hit second triple of the year. while Tyler Dearden had a pair of hits.
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Sunday was another showcase of the exciting collection of talent for the Spinners this year. Gilberto Jimenez led the way, going 2 for 3 with a walk, stolen base, and two runs scored. Antoni Flores ripped a double, while Nick Northcut picked up yet another hit. On the mound it was an impressive stateside debut for 18-year-old Aldo Ramirez, who drew the starting assignment. Ramirez, who dominated in the DSL last summer, allowed two runs on four hits in five innings, striking out three. He induced ground ball outs and threw 47 of his 67 pitches for strikes. Osvaldo De La Rosa struck out two in a scoreless sixth inning to earn the win, and Ryan Fernandez went three shutout frames to get credit for a save.
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Player of the Day: Rusney Castillo capped off a strong week with a big effort in the PawSox doubleheader. The veteran outfielder drove in four and scored four across the two games in which he was 3 for 6 with a walk and a homer. During his six game hitting streak, Castillo is an unbelivable 15 for 23 with two doubles, two homers, and just one strikeout.
Photo Credit: Rusney Castillo by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Rusney Castillo by Kelly O'Connor