July 13, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Diaz continues hot streak for Salem
7/13 Cup of Coffee: A whopping 11 games were played throughout the system last night, as Pawtucket and Salem played doubleheaders while Portland completed a suspended game along with a regularly scheduled game. Jhonathan Diaz (pictured) continued his recent dominance for Salem, while Tanner Houck and Darwinzon Hernandez made some noise as relievers. Youngsters including recent draft pick Jaxx Groshans showed off offensively for Lowell.
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The PawSox fought back after being down 4-0, but it wasn't enough in game one. Janzten Witte and Chris Owings led the way offensively, as Witte went 2 for 2 with a double and Owings belted his third long ball of the year. Erasmo Ramirez took the loss but went the distance, surrendering four earned runs with four strikeouts and just one walk.
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Pawtucket went with a death by a thousand paper cuts strategy in a six-run third inning, as the Sox drew four walks and ripped five singles in the frame. Jantzen Witte went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles, and Josh Tobias and Oscar Hernandez each went 1 for 2 with a free pass, with Tobias knocking in two runs. Jordan Weems started and allowed one run in two innings with three strikeouts. Darwinzon Hernandez was outstanding in his lone inning of work, striking out the side in order. Bobby Poyner was also terrific out of the bullpen, striking out three and not allowing a walk or a hit in two innings.
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This game was picked up in the fourth inning after it was suspended last night. The score did not change, as the Sea Dogs could only muster one hit, a single off the bat of Jarren Duran. Duran also swiped his seventh bag of the year. Konner Wade gave up two runs over the first four innings before Robinson Leyer came in tossed two scoreless innings. Tanner Houck threw a shutout inning in his second relief appearance with the Sea Dogs and was promptly promoted to Pawtucket after the game.
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Portland was shutout again in the seven-inning regularly scheduled game. The Sea Dogs had just four hits, as Bobby Dalbec and Brett Netzer each went 1 for 3 with a double. Kutter Crawford struggled, lasting just 2 2/3 innings while allowing two runs on three hits and four walks. Eduard Bazardo struck out three and did not allow an earned run in 2 1/3 innings. Kevin Lenik followed Bazardo with a scoreless frame.
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After Edgar Corcino broke a 0-0 tie in the eighth inning with a go-ahead RBI single, the Blue Rocks came right back with a walk-off home run off Joan Martinez. Jhonathan Diaz was outstanding for the first six innings, shutting out Wilmington on just one hit. He punched out nine and walked only two. Diaz has been on a tear, allowing just one earned run over his last 30 innings pitched.
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The second game was a low-scoring affair just like game one, but this time Salem came out on top behind tremendous efforts from Andrew Politi and Hunter Smith. Politi went the first four without allowing a run, striking out six and walking none. Smith grabbed the win after closing the final three innings out without allowing a hit and striking out three. An RBI-single by Marcus Wilson, who had two of Salem's five hits, was enough to get it done on offense.
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Grant Williams and Tyler Dearden each belted solo home runs in the Drive loss. Dearden added another hit as well and drove in a pair. Everlouis Lozada ripped a pair of doubles and Devlin Granberg also added two hits. Brandon Howlett went 1 for 4 with his 15th double as well. Kevin Biondic had an odd pitching line, as he struck out eight in five innings, but also walked five and gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits. Oddanier Mosqueda and Devon Fisher combined for three hitless frames in relief.
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The Spinners had 13 hits and were an impressive 6 for 15 with runners in scoring position. Xavier LeGrant and Gilberto Jimenez each had three hit, with LeGrant doubling and scoring twice. Jimenez now has three consecutive multi-hit games and has his average up to .376 this year. Nick Northcut, Jaxx Groshans, and Antoni Flores each added two hits as well. Bryan Lucas picked up the win with six innings of two-run ball, striking out five without a free pass. Cody Scroggins was good in relief, tossing two hitless innings with three strikeouts. Kris Jackson picked up the save with a scoreless ninth.
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Yoelvis Guedez was a bright spot in a tough loss for the Sox, striking out six and walking none in three scoreless relief innings. Dominic LoBrutto also pitched well in relief, tossing 1 2/3 shutout innings after Alexander Montero gave up six runs (four earned) to begin the game. Ceddanne Rafaela belted a three-run home run for his second of the year and Danny Diaz went 1 for 4 with a double. Cameron Cannon is still searching for his first professional hit, as he went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts.
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Brainer Bonaci had another good day at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double to raise his average to .344. Eduardo Lopez also singled and stole his seventh bag of the year. Wilkelman Gonzalez took the loss after going four innings and allowing three runs (two earned) with four strikeouts and two walks. Royman Blanco, Beiker Pineda, and Johan Martinez each tossed a scoreless frame, with Pineda punching out two.
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Frailyn Sanchez was solid in the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings with three strikeouts and just one walk. Efren Diaz pitched three good innings out of the bullpen, surrendering just one run on one hit with five strikeouts and two walks. Elio Prado had a good day at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a trio of singles and his ninth stolen base. Denny Daza and Jesus Maita also added doubles.
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Player of the Night: Jhonathan Diaz continued to mow down the opposition, as the left-hander had his third consecutive game of allowing one hit and zero earned runs. Over his past five starts, he has allowed just one earned run and has only allowed 10 hits. Over those five starts, his ERA has fallen from 7.33 to 4.71.
Photo Credit: Jhonathan Diaz by Kelly O'Connor