Cup of Coffee: 2 hits for Lugo; Tendler launches 10th home run

Cup of Coffee 7/18: The Red Sox system was successful on the evening, with a 4-3 record. Portland scored five runs in a runaway victory against New Hampshire, while Salem fought back late against the Wood Ducks to earn the win. Despite a quality start from Kevin Biondic, the Greenville bats couldn't get going and were shutout. Matthew Lugo continued to heat up in the GCL, as he notched two singles and an RBI to raise his batting average to .265 through 13 professional contests, including five base knocks in his last three games. A trio of Portland hitters grabbed two RBI in Jarren Duran, Jeremy Rivera and Luke Tendler (pictured).

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Louisville Bats (CIN) 8, Pawtucket Red Sox 1
The Red Sox and the Bats were deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the seventh inning, but Domingo Tapia struggled mightily, allowing five runs (four earned) during the fateful top half of the frame after getting through the sixth unscathed. Erasmo Ramirez delivered 2 1/3 scoreless frames to begin the contest, while Jordan Weems allowed just one run during his 2 2/3-inning outing to follow him up. The deficit was large enough where outfielder Cole Sturgeon was called upon to pitch the ninth. Rusney Castillo was the lone bright spot offensively, as he was 2 for 3 with a steal and a double.

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Portland Sea Dogs 10, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR) 4
A walk and a hit-by-pitch set the tone for a five-run fifth inning for the Sea Dogs, who owned an 8-0 lead by the time the frame was through. The Fisher Cats attempted a comeback in the late innings, but were not able to get within shouting distance. Portland only notched seven hits, but took advantage of seven walks, the aforementioned hit-by-pitch and four errors to score its runs. Jarren Duran, Jeremy Rivera and Luke Tendler each recorded two RBI. Tendler added his 10th home run of the year, as well.

On the mound, Dedgar Jimenez earned the win in relief, after entering the game in the third with the bases loaded and two outs after three consecutive walks from Robinson Leyer. Jimenez retired the side and gave his team three innings more, allowing one run on two hits, with three strikeouts. Matthew Gorst allowed a pair of runs across two frames. Adam Lau handled the ninth, when one run crossed the plate.

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Salem Red Sox 4, Down East Wood Ducks (TEX) 2
Down East tied the game in the top of the eighth, but Salem responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame to regain the lead and take home the win. Jagger Rusconi singled to bring home the go-ahead run, and crossed the plate on a Victor Acosta single to provide an insurance run. Pedro Castellanos hit a two-run home run, as one of seven Red Sox to notch a hit. Jhonathan Diaz pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one run on five hits. However, he walked four batters against three strikeouts. Andrew Schwaab notched his seventh save of 2019 with a clean ninth inning.

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Asheville Tourists (COL) 4, Greenville Drive 0
Greenville only mustered two hits as they were shutout in a complete-game effort. Kevin Biondic notched a quality start, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out three and walked one. However, he did hit three Tourists. Yoan Aybar followed it up with two innings of perfect ball, including four punchouts. In the ninth, an unearned run was charged to Yorvin Pantoja's tab, as the Drive committed one of its three errors on the night.

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Lowell Spinners vs. Tri-City ValleyCats (HOU) (PPD, rain)
The two teams will play a doubleheader on Thursday.

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GCL Red Sox 4, GCL Pirates 2
Matthew Lugo notched half of his team's four hits and the GCL squad used five walks to outpace the Pirates. It was largely a bullpen day, with Yoelvis Guedez earned the victory, pitching 3 1/3 shutout innings after Alexander Montero recorded two outs to begin the afternoon. Mason Duke did not allow a run in two innings, nor did Eddie Jimenez and Zach Schneider in their single inning. Caleb Ramsey, Jacob Herbert and Leon Paulino added an RBI each in addition to Lugo.

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DSL Red Sox1 6, DSL Braves 4
Darel Belen was 2 for 3 with three RBI, adding a triple as well to pace the offense. Brandon Rincones added a pair of base knocks as well to drive in a run. Claudio Ochoa was strong in his abbreviated start, allowing just one run on three hits, with one walk against five strikeouts. Isaias Ozoria earned his fifth save of the year with a shutout ninth inning.

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DSL Pirates1 9, DSL Red Sox2 2
Red Sox pitching allowed 13 hits, but the defense didn't do them any favors, as they committed five errors in the loss. Reidis Sena earned the start, pitching 4 1/3 innings to the tune of three runs (two earned) on five hits. The lion's share of the runs went on Faysel Gregorio's tab, as he allowed six Pirates to cross the plate on six hits in his four-inning relief stint. Frank Astacio drove in two runs with a pair of productive outs.

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Player of the Night: Many of Wednesday's victories came under the "team win" category, but Luke Tendler hit an early home run that helped set the tone for Portland. Tendler was 2 for 5 on Wednesday, with a pair of runs and RBI as well. With his second hit, Tendler brought home the first of five runs in the fifth inning for the Sea Dogs to help put the game out of reach. Tendler's home run was his 10th of the season and the 27-year-old has five hits in his last four games.

Photo Credit: Luke Tendler by Kelly O'Connor

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