August 14, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Chatham debuts for PawSox; Castellanos homers twice
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Norfolk Tides (BAL) 2, Pawtucket Red Sox 0
Teddy Stankiewicz was the tough-luck losing pitcher as the PawSox could not do anything against the Tides. Stankiewicz struck out six without walking a batter over 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Ryan Brasier continued to find his footing in Pawtucket as he struck out the side in the ninth and lowered his ERA to 1.08 over 8 1/3 innings.
Two of Pawtucket's four hits came from Jantzen Witte, and C.J. Chatham went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in his debut after getting the call up from Portland earlier in the day.
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Hartford Yard Goats (COL) 7, Portland Sea Dogs 2
Three Sea Dogs had multi-hit games, but it was not enough to take down the Yard Goats. Jarren Duran went 2 for 3 with a double, but he was also caught stealing in the fifth inning and then replaced defensively in the bottom half of the inning. Marcus Wilson went 2 for 4 with a double and he has now hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games, and Brett Netzer also went 2 for 4 with a double.
On the mound Matthew Kent pitched into the seventh inning but the game got away from him late. He gave up three runs in the seventh and seven overall in 6 2/3 innings. This was the second straight appearance in which Kent has allowed at least six earned runs. Robinson Leyer followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
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Salem Red Sox 11, Frederick Keys (BAL) 3
Pedro Castellanos led a 13-hit barrage as the Red Sox had seven extra-base hits. Castellanos went 3 for 4 with two home runs, a walk, four runs scored, and three RBI as he continued his recent hot streak. Garrett Benge, Keith Curcio, Edgar Corcino, and Jagger Rusconi all had two hits, with each player collecting an extra-base hit.
This was more than enough support for Enmanuel De Jesus as he struck out seven and allowed just one earned run over 5 2/3 innings. Zach Schellenger closed the game out with two shutout innings, striking out three, and he has now struck out 26 and walked six over his last 18 1/3 innings.
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Augusta GreenJackets (SFG), Greenville Drive 1
Every Greenville pitcher struggled as they were blown out by Augusta. Hunter Haworth cruised through the first two innings but ran into trouble from there, and he ultimately gave up five runs on five hits over 3 1/3 innings. Oddanier Mosqueda also was roughed up as he was tagged for four runs in 1 1/3 innings, and Yoan Aybar gave up two runs in three innings.
The offense did not fare much better with Tyler Esplin going 1 for 4 with a double and Triston Casas going 1 for 3 with a walk being the most notable performances. Jordan Wren went 1 for 4 and also stole his 26th base.
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Hudson Valley Renegades (TB) 6, Lowell Spinners 5 (10 innings)
Nick Decker went 3 for 4 with a double and an RBI, but he ended the game in the on-deck circle with the tying run at second base. Cameron Cannon also had a double as part of a 2-for-5 night that saw his average rise to .308 in the month of August, while Joe Davis went 1 for 3 with a walk. Nicholas Northcut was on base twice via a hit and a walk but he also committed two errors at third base.
The Renegades scored in each of the first four innings off of Aldo Ramirez, but Dylan Spacke was able to keep Lowell in the game as he struck out five over three innings while allowing one run. Kris Jackson took the loss after he allowed an unearned run over two innings, striking out three.
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Another scoreless appearance from Bradley Blalock went to waste as the Red Sox could only muster up three hits. Blalock retired all six batters he faced, and Jorge Rodriguez came on to strike out four over four innings, allowing two runs (one earned). Doubles for Daniel Bakst and Andre Colon led to the only run for the Red Sox, and Leon Paulino went 1 for 1 with a walk. Bakst's double pushed his average up to .300 on the season.
The Orioles were able to complete the sweep, getting out to an early lead and never looking back. Brock Bell started and gave up a run on two hits and a walk in his one inning. Alexander Montero was able to keep the game close as he struck out five and allowed one run over four innings but the offense could not capitalize. Angel Maita went 3 for 4 and scored a run and Bakst added a triple and two RBI.
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The Red Sox lost a heartbreaker, giving up a walk-off two-run single to the Rays after entering the ninth with a one-run lead. Claudio Ochoa had one of his better starts of the season, allowing one run on six hits over four innings. Isaias Ozoria took the blown save, and his own throwing error also hurt him in the ninth inning. Carlos Sanchez was on base three times via a hit and two walks, and Alex Zapete went 2 for 4, though he is now 6 for his last 39 as his average has dropped from .303 down to .267.
It was another nail-biter when the second squads for the Rays and Red Sox played, but this time the Red Sox came out on top. Frailyn Sanchez gave up two runs in his four innings to start and Emerson Ortiz locked things down with 2 1/3 scoreless innings to end it. Danny Diaz got his first hit since being sent down to the DSL as he went 1 for 4, and Axel James and Jose Navas each went 2 for 4.
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Player of the Night: Two home runs from Pedro Castellanos continued a recent breakout by the 21-year-old slugger, and he now has more home runs in the last 24 games than he did in his previous 204 games combined. Castellanos has hit eight home runs since July 17, with seven of them coming at the notorious pitcher's park of Haley Toyota Field. He has always shown plus raw power but it has not translated to games until recently.
Photo Credit: Pedro Castellanos by Kelly O'Connor