July 28, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Castellanos homers twice, Hernandez lifts Pawtucket
7/28 Cup of Coffee: It was an eventful night in the Red Sox system, as a number of games were decided in the final innings. Marco Hernandez (pictured) powered Pawtucket as they overcame Charlotte, while Pedro Castellanos's two home runs lifted Salem to victory. The GCL Red Sox fell to the Twins in extra innings, but the DSL Red Sox routed the Rays thanks to herculean efforts from Alixandri Alvarez and Nixson Munoz.
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A Cole Sturgeon single gave Pawtucket a lead they would not surrender, as the PawSox outlasted a Charlotte comeback. While Sturgeon delivered the winning blow, it was Marco Hernandez who led the PawSox offense with three hits and two runs scored. Batting behind him, Chris Owings drove in two with a pair of singles, while Tzu-Wei Lin laced a double as part of a two hit night. Erasmo Ramirez started the game for Pawtucket and went six innings, surrendering just two runs and striking out five. Relieving him was Ryan Brasier, who fired a perfect inning, while Trevor Kelley closed things out with a perfect ninth.
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It was a quiet night for the Sea Dogs as they fell to Harrisburg. From the lead off spot, Jarren Duran continued his recent string of success by singling and doubling. Batting behind him, CJ Chatham collected a pair of singles, while Brett Netzer did the same. Konner Wade started the game and took the loss as he allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight. Pitching out of the bullpen, Robinson Leyer was excellent, striking out a pair in two shut out innings.
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Every member of the Salem lineup notched a hit as Salem outlasted the Pelicans. Leading the way was Pedro Castellanos who showed a rare glimpse of in-game power by launching two home runs and driving in five. Also contributing were Edgar Corcino and Keith Curcio, who each smacked a double. Coming off of a run of excellent form, Jhonathan Diaz was solid, surrendering four runs (three earned) in six innings pitched. Relieving him was Anyelo Gomez, who went two frames and allowed a run, and Andrew Schwaab, who earned the save by striking out three in a scoreless ninth.
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The thing started off well for the Drive, but things fell apart as Chris Machamer was hit hard to the tune of four runs in 4 1/3 innings. The bullpen fared better with Yorvin Pantoja and Alex Demchak combining for four runs and one run to close out the game. On offense, Tyler Dearden led the way with three singles and two RBI, while Kole Cottam scored twice on two singles.
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The Spinners weren't able to do much on either side of the ball Saturday night, as they fell to the Yankees. Starter Chris Murphy earned the first loss of his professional career as he surrendered two earned runs in four innings. Hildemaro Requena followed him with two shutout innings, but the damage was done. There wasn't much going on at the plate, with Cameron Cannon collecting the only extra-base hit on a double.
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The GCL Red Sox lost a heart breaker, as they fell in a slugfest despite taking a 13-10 lead in the 11th. Starter Blake Loubier didn't make it out of the first inning as he allowed three earned runs and recorded two outs in his professional debut. Things did not get better for the pitching staff as they needed nine pitchers to get through the contest, culminating in the first blown save of Mason Duke's professional career. Despite 13 runs crossing the plate, the only Red Sox extra-base hits of the game came off of the bat of Kleiber Rodriguez, who doubled twice in a three-hit effort. Fabian Andrade scored four runs as he singled twice and walked, while Dominic D'Alessandro and Caleb Ramsey joined him by notching two singles apiece.
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The DSL Red Sox1 squad took a page out of the Red Sox' book by routing the Rays in spectacular fashion Saturday afternoon. Leading the charge for the Red Sox was Alixandri Alvarez, who exploded for four hits, good for four RBI and two runs scored. Carlos Sanchez doubled as part of a three-hit effort, while Brainer Bonaci singled and smacked a two-run home run, his third of the year. Nelfy Abreu and Eduardo Vaughan each chipped in with a pair of singles and two runs scored each.
Not to be overshadowed the Red Sox pitching staff was equally dominant, allowing just three hits and a walk as they shut out the Rays. Nixson Munoz was on the bump and went six scoreless innings while striking out five and lowering his ERA to 1.45. Robinson Montero followed him with two nearly perfect frames, while Isaias Ozoria closed things out with a perfect ninth.
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The defense let the pitching staff down as the Red Sox fell to the Rays in extra innings despite allowing just one earned run. Luis Talavera got the start and lasted four innings, striking out three and allowing two unearned runs. Jose Ramirez was stuck with the tough-luck loss, as he allowed two unearned runs in 2 1/3 innings of work. At the plate, the Red Sox were unable to record an extra-base hit, with Luis Mota, Denny Daza, and Bryan Gonzalez leading the team with two singles apiece. Also chipping in was Axel James who singled, walked twice, and stole a base.
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Player of the Day: Long cited as having some of the best raw power in the system, Pedro Castellanos had a rare display of in-game power Saturday night. Castellanos doubled his 2019 home run count in a single night by launching a pair of home runs, as he almost single-handedly willed Salem to victory.
Photo Credit: Marco Hernandez by Kelly O'Connor