July 11, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: strong start for Gonzalez; Wilson hits clutch homer
Cup of Coffee 7/11: The bats scuffled in the Eastern League All-Star Game, but Tanner Houck was a bright spot, striking out two hitters in his inning of work. That was one of several strong pitching performances, as Daniel Gonzalez (pictured) gave Salem 6 1/3 one-run innings, while Chase Shugart took a tough loss as he also allowed only a single runner to cross the plate. Nixson Munoz threw six shutout innings in the DSL, as well. Salem took home a victory in no small part because of Marcus Wilson's two-run home run in the seventh and Alex Erro and Stephen Scott each recorded three hits for Lowell.
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Dan Runzler faced three batters in the second inning, allowing two hits and a run to score before forcing a ground out to end the frame. Trevor Kelley was named to the roster, but did not appear.
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All four Sea Dogs selected appeared for the East Division, but the squad was two-hit in a shutout loss. Jhon Nunez served as the leadoff hitter, but was 0 for 2. Bobby Dalbec hit 0 for 1, adding a walk. On the mound, Tanner Houck allowed one hit but struck out two in the third inning, while Dedgar Jimenez allowed a run on two hits in his frame, including a home run.
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Marcus Wilson played the hero for Salem, delivering a two-run home run in the seventh to break the tie. It was one of just for Red Sox hits on the evening. Daniel Gonzalez gave his team a strong start on the mound, scattering four hits across 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run. He walked two and struck out four. Zach Schellenger followed him with 2 1/3 shutout frames, allowing just two hits. Andrew recorded his fifth save of 2019, recording the final out with a fielder's choice.
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Greenville committed three errors on the day and recorded only three hits, taking a shutout loss. Chase Shugart earned the decision, despite allowing one run on six hits across five innings of work. Alex Demchak pitched two scoreless frames with a pair of strikeouts and Yoan Aybar handled the eighth with two more punchouts.
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The opposite was the case in the Spinners' contest as the teams combined for five home runs, including one each off the bat of Gilberto Jimenez and Wil Dalton. Alex Erro and Stephen Scott added three hits each, while Antoni Flores contributed two. Aldo Ramirez earned the start, allowing five runs in 3 2/3 innings. Jeremy Bleich surrendered only an unearned run in his two-frame stint out of the bullpen.
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Jorge Rodriguez had allowed one hit through 2 2/3 innings, but after a single, a walk, a single, a double and a home run, the Braves had five runs. Rodriguez allowed another base hit and his afternoon was over. Casey Sutherland and Eddie Jimenez delivered 3 1/3 and three innings, respectively, of shutout relief. The Red Sox scored three runs in the seventh, fueled by two bases-loaded walks with a single sandwiched in between, but they could not complete the comeback. Seven of the nine Red Sox starters recorded a base hit.
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The Red Sox scored two runs in each of the first and third frames to play from ahead all afternoon in the shutout win. Alex Zepete was 3 for 5 to lead the way offensively. Nixson Munoz pitched the first six innings of the contest, scattering three hits with zero walks. Isaias Ozoria handled the final three frames, striking out six with just two hits allowed. Eduardo Lopez recorded two RBI.
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The other Rays affiliate repaid its counterparts' shutout with an offensive barrage. Reidis Sena gave up five of those runs, of which three were earned, in three innings of work. Jose Ramirez replaced him and did no better, surrendering the same total, of which two were earned in 2 2/3 innings, while walking five batters. Felix Gomez completed the game with 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball. Jose Navas was 2 for 2, contributing 40 percent of the team's five hits, including a double.
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Player of the Day: It was a tight battle between a pair of teammates, but Daniel Gonzalez edges Marcus Wilson's clutch hitting. The 23-year-old has allowed two earned runs or less and pitched more than six innings in four consecutive starts and has given starts as long as eight frames in 2019. Gonzalez scattered four hits and did not allow traffic on the basepaths, allowing for a stress-free outing. He also did not allow an extra-base hit.
Photo Credit: Daniel Gonzalez by Kelly O'Connor