June 8, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Nunez leads Portland, Mata returns
6/8 Cup of Coffee: Jhon Nunez (pictured) led Portland to a win with four hits and a home run. Tate Matheny also homered for the Sea Dogs for the fifth time in the last 10 games. Josh Ockimey belted his 14th home run of the year. On the bump, Dylan Thompson and Chase Shugart turned in quality starts while Bryan Mata returned and picked up right where he left off.
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The PawSox let this one get away early, as starter Dedgar Jimenez gave up nine earned runs in just two innings on six walks and five hits. The bullpen wasn't much better, but Domingo Tapia gave up just one run in three innings. Marco Hernandez went 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and Juan Centeno reached twice with a walk and his second home run of the season.
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The PawSox let this one slip away late, as Jenrry Mejia blew his sixth save of the year, allowing five runs in the top of the seventh. Adam Lau and Trevor Kelley were solid, as they combined to allow just two runs over the first six innings. Josh Tobias hit a home run off the bench and Josh Ockimey belted his 14th home run of the year. Jantzen Witte and Chad De La Guerra each roped doubles.
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The Sea Dogs used the long ball in a route of Bowie. Jhon Nunez had a huge game by going 4 for 5 with a home run. Tate Matheny and Luke Tendler both went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI. Dylan Thompson picked up the win, surrendering three earned runs in six innings of work. He punched out five and walked just one. Hunter Smith grabbed a three-innings save, as he put up nothing but zeros in the run column to end the game.
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Salem made a late surge with four runs in the ninth, but still fell short. Marcus Wilson had a great night at the plate, going 2 for 3 with two doubles and two walks. Nick Sciortino also went 2 for 3 with a walk. Bryan Mata made his first start in over a month and dazzled with five scoreless innings. He struck out five, walked one, and allowed just two hits. His ERA is down to 1.83.
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Alan Marrero had a good night on an otherwise quiet night for the Drive offense. He went 2 for 4 with his fifth home run of the year. Brandon Howlett and Kervin Suarez each roped doubles, while Howlett added a pair of walks. Chase Shugart was very solid, going the first six innings while allowing just one run. He struck out seven and walked two. Yorvin Pantoja also tossed a scoreless eighth inning with one strikeout.
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The Sox collected 10 hits but went a frustrating 4 for 17 with runners in scoring position. Albert Feliz followed up his three-home run day by going 2 for 4 with an RBI. Brainer Bonaci, Darel Belen, and Alex Zapete chipped in with two-hit days as well. Wilkelman Gonzalez started and struck out five in 3 1/3 innings with just one walk while allowing two runs. Robinson Montero also added 1 2/3 scoreless frames.
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The second Sox DSL team also struggled with runners in scoring position, going just 2 for 15. Luis Mota and Leonel Jimenez each had two hits, with Elio Prado adding a double and an RBI. Juan Daniel Encarnacion got the win by allowing a run on just two hits in four innings. Gregori Segovia and Robinson Parra combined to allow just one run in 4 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.
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Player of the Night: Jhon Nunez continued his very solid season for the Sea Dogs last night with four hits and a home run. Nunez is now hitting .318/.360/.486 in 32 games this year. The 24-year old catcher played a majority of 2018 in Portland as well. He was an international free agent signing in 2012.
Photo Credit: Jhon Nunez by Kelly O'Connor