July 16, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Corcino powers Salem; Lugo breaks out
-----
The PawSox walked the tight rope as they overcame Louisville. Kyle Hart was on the hill for Pawtucket and tossed six scoreless innings, striking out four. Making his Triple-A debut, Tanner Houck relieved him and pitched a scoreless inning despite walking two. Bobby Poyner earned his fourth save of the season by striking out two in a shut out ninth. Josh Ockimey was the lone Pawtucket batter to collect multiple hits as his RBI double gave the PawSox a lead they would not relinquish.
-----
The Sea Dogs came out on the wrong side of a pitcher's duel despite a strong start from Daniel McGrath. McGrath kept Portland in the game by firing seven scoreless innings and striking out five, but things went awry when the Fisher Cats reached Durbin Feltman for two runs in the eighth. The Sea Dogs were unable to get anything going at the plate, with Joey Curletta the only Portland batter to collect multiple hits. Jarren Duran chipped in with his 12th stolen base of the season.
-----
Edgar Corcino powered Salem as they survived a slugfest with Frederick. Corcino collected four hits, including his sixth and seventh home runs of the season as he drove in six. Garrett Benge continued to hit the ball well as he doubled, singled, and drove in three runs. Also doubling as part of a two-hit performance was Ryan Fitzgerald, while Pedro Castellanos also collected two hits.
On the mound, Enmannuel De Jesus got things started, allowing two runs across six innings and striking out six. Dominic LoBrutto struggled in relief as he surrendered four runs in two innings, but Andrew Schwaab closed things out with a scoreless ninth.
-----
In what has become a regular occurrence, Chase Shugart had it going on Monday night. Shugart went six innings and only allowed one run and struck out four. Brendan Nail followed him and was excellent, striking out three in 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Devlin Granberg brought the power once again for Greenville, smacking two doubles as part of a three-hit, five-RBI night. Not to be outdone Tyler Esplin notched three hits of his own, driving in and scoring a run. Cole Brannen chipped in with two hits and a stolen base.
-----
It was a tough night at the ballpark for the Spinners as a nightmare seventh inning undid an otherwise solid performance. Aldo Ramirez got things started for the Spinners by hurling five scoreless frames. Although his defense did much of the damage, Hildemaro Requena earned the loss, as he allowed four runs (only one of which was earned). Nick Decker was responsible for much of the Lowell offense as he launched a pair of solo shots, his third and fourth long balls of the year. Jaxx Groshans laced his first triple as a pro, and Stephen Scott continued his torrid start to his pro career by notching a single and a double. Cameron Cannon made his Lowell debut and went 0-for-4.
-----
Red Sox second-round draft pick Matthew Lugo had his best game as a professional as the GCL Red Sox routed their Oriole counterparts. Lugo scored three times and smacked a pair of doubles as part of a three-hit night. Also doubling for the Red Sox were Danny Diaz, Dean Miller, and Oscar Rangel who also singled. Bramdon Perez and Andre Colon also chipped in with a pair of singles apiece, while Ceddanne Rafaela launched his third home run of the season.
Seventh-round draft pick Brock Bell was excellent in his professional debut, striking out two in a scoreless inning. The Orioles reached Dylan Spacke for two runs (one earned) in 3 1/3 innings out of the pen, but he was relieved by Casey Sutherland who continued his flawless start to his professional career with two scoreless innings.
-----
The DSL Red Sox1 pitching staff had it going on Monday afternoon as they needed just two pitchers to get through their contest with the Astros. Gabriel Jackson got the nod and was excellent, scattering two hits across six innings and striking out five as he allowed just one earned run. Isaac Pinales closed things out for the Red Sox with three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. At the plate, Eduardo Vaughan collected three singles and stole a base for the DSL Red Sox1 squad. Albert Feliz was also a major contributor as he notched a pair of hits (including a double) and scored a pair of runs.
-----
DSL Rangers1 7, DSL Red Sox2 3 (Game 1)
Starter Carlos Reyes was roughed up to the tune of four runs in 2 2/3 innings as the Red Sox dropped the first game of the doubleheader. While the bullpen struggled early, Railin Perez settled things down with four innings of one-run ball while striking out five. The Red Sox weren't able to get much going at the plate with Naysbel Marcano delivering the only multi-hit performance of the day. Marcano also provided the lone extra-base hit of the day with a double, and Luis Mota added two walks and a stolen base.
-----
DSL Rangers1 8, DSL Red Sox2 6 (Game 2)
Once again, Naysbel Marcano led the DSL Red Sox2 squad at the plate, delivering a double and a walk as part of a two-run, two-RBI night. Catcher Jose Navas was a significant contributor, chipping in with a double and three RBI. The pitching continued to be an issue for the Red Sox as starter Andres Ortuno was reached for five runs in just 3 2/3 innings. Coming on in relief Robinson Parra fared little better, allowing three runs in 1 1/3 innings. Jose Ramirez was solid out of the pen, hurling two scoreless frames.
-----
Player of the Day: Not typically known as a power hitter, Edgar Corcino is on pace to set record highs in home runs and slugging percentage in what has been a career year for the journeyman. Corcino has now launched seven home runs on the year, just one shy of his career-high.
Photo Credit: Devlin Granberg by Kelly O'Connor