July 10, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Sixth-rounder Murphy debuts, Scherff struggles
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Asheville Tourists (COL) 9, Greenville Drive 4
Another rough start from Alex Scherff doomed the Drive. Scherff was tagged for six runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out one. Scherff pitched to a 6.33 ERA in May and struggled to start June, but he actually found a good groove over his last four starts, allowing five runs over 20 2/3 innings. This start was a step back, and his ERA now sits at 5.38 on the season. Angel Padron did not fare much better as he gave up two runs over 1 1/3 innings.
The heart of the order usually does all the damage for Greenville, but Triston Casas and Devlin Granberg combined to go 0 for 9 with five strikeouts. Kole Cottam went 2 for 5 with a double, Tyler Dearden went 2 for 4, and Grant Williams (pictured, above) went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.
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Sixth-rounder Chris Murphy made his professional debut and Nicholas Northcut hit his first home run of the season, but the IronBirds outlasted the Spinners in extra innings. Murphy, who was drafted out of the University of San Diego, tossed a scoreless first inning with one strikeout. Yasel Santana was strong in relief, allowing one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. The game was tied 1-1 heading into extras, and from that point on it was back-and-forth, with Aberdeen eventually getting to Jose Larez for two runs in the 13th to walk off with the victory.
Northcut's home run was the only run scored by Lowell until the 10th, at which point the offense woke up. Marino Campana's only hit was an RBI double, and Juan Carlos Abreu went 2 for 6 with a triple and an RBI.
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Two doubles from Danny Diaz led the way on a day when every starter reached base at least once. Diaz drove in two runs, and he now has six doubles in only 12 games. Leadoff hitter Ceddanne Rafaela went 1 for 3 with two walks and a stolen base, while Dominic D'Alessandro went 1 for 3 with a walk as he saw his average dip to .452.
It was the first time this season that Gregorio Reyes allowed multiple runs as he gave up two over 4 1/3 innings. Dylan Spacke followed with 3 2/3 shutout innings, striking out two without walking a batter. The outing was good enough to earn the 21st-rounder his first professional victory.
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DSL Rays1 12, DSL Red Sox1 6
The game started off well as the Red Sox were up by three runs in the sixth, but the Rays put up eight runs in the eighth to put this one out of reach. Carlos Velez was the pitcher accountable for most of the damage as he gave up seven runs on five hits and four walks in two innings. Darel Belen laced his third home run of the season in the loss, and Eddinson Paulino went 2 for 3 with two walks. It was an interesting day for Paulino as he also committed two errors and was caught trying to steal home on a double steal.
DSL Rays2 14, DSL Red Sox2 1
The second DSL game was even more of a rout as the Rays scored five runs in the first and never looked back. Carlos Reyes only recorded four outs and surrendered seven runs, but Robinson Parra followed with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Parra has now thrown 13 straight scoreless innings while striking out 11. Axel James had two of the team's four hits as the offense was completely stifled by the Rays.
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Player of the Night: On a light night of action Dylan Spacke's 3 2/3 shutout innings was the best story of the night. It was Spacke's first professional win, and it continued a strong start to his Red Sox career. The 21-year-old allowed two runs in his first appearance, but he has since fired 7 1/3 scoreless innings over four games.
Photo Credit: Grant Williams by Kelly O'Connor
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DSL Rays1 12, DSL Red Sox1 6
The game started off well as the Red Sox were up by three runs in the sixth, but the Rays put up eight runs in the eighth to put this one out of reach. Carlos Velez was the pitcher accountable for most of the damage as he gave up seven runs on five hits and four walks in two innings. Darel Belen laced his third home run of the season in the loss, and Eddinson Paulino went 2 for 3 with two walks. It was an interesting day for Paulino as he also committed two errors and was caught trying to steal home on a double steal.
DSL Rays2 14, DSL Red Sox2 1
The second DSL game was even more of a rout as the Rays scored five runs in the first and never looked back. Carlos Reyes only recorded four outs and surrendered seven runs, but Robinson Parra followed with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Parra has now thrown 13 straight scoreless innings while striking out 11. Axel James had two of the team's four hits as the offense was completely stifled by the Rays.
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Player of the Night: On a light night of action Dylan Spacke's 3 2/3 shutout innings was the best story of the night. It was Spacke's first professional win, and it continued a strong start to his Red Sox career. The 21-year-old allowed two runs in his first appearance, but he has since fired 7 1/3 scoreless innings over four games.
Photo Credit: Grant Williams by Kelly O'Connor