August 20, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Davis, Groshans power Lowell, Jimenez stays hot
8/20 Cup of Coffee: An exciting finish in Portland highlighted an otherwise quiet day in the Red Sox system. Home runs from Marcus Wilson and Joey Curletta, and a strong debut from Tommy Joseph was not enough, as the Sea dogs fell in the tenth. In Lowell, Joe Davis (pictured) had an explosive day at the plate, while strong showings from Jaxx Groshans and Gilberto Jimenez sealed a victory for the Spinners.
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The Red Sox failed to score a run until the ninth inning, as they found themselves on the wrong end of a rout. Things came apart quickly for Pawtucket as starter Erasmo Ramirez was tagged for seven runs in just 1 1/3 innings pitched. Domingo Tapia and Bobby Poyner followed and combined to strike out 5 across 3 2/3 innings, but the damage had already been done. There were some promising signs at the plate despite the low run total, as both CJ Chatham and Gorkys Hernandez doubled. Cole Sturgeon also had a solid game from the leadoff spot, singling twice and driving in the lone Pawtucket run of the evening.
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A back and forth game ended tragically for the Sea Dogs, as they fell in extra innings despite loading the bases in the bottom of the tenth. Making his debut for Portland, Tommy Joseph powered a strong heart of the order, doubling as part of a two-hit, two-run night. Batting on either side of him, Marcus Wilson and Joey Curletta launched their seventh and eighth home runs of 2019 respectively. Brett Netzer joined Joseph in notching a pair of hits (also including a double), while Jarren Duran singled and drove in a pair of runs.
It was a bumpy start for Konner Wade, who struggled early, recovered and then fell apart in the sixth inning. Wade finished with seven earned runs in 5 2/3 total innings pitched, striking out five. He had to be relieved by Robinson Leyer in the sixth, and Leyer delivered with 2 1/3 scoreless frames and a trio of strikeouts. Jordan Weems kept Portland in the game for two innings but allowed an unearned run in extra innings to earn his second loss of 2019.
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A combination of 2019 draftees and the steady presence of Gilberto Jimenez helped Lowell overcome the Tigers Monday night. Batting from the leadoff spot, Jimenez collected two singles, two runs, and stole two bases in a predictably productive display. However, it was Joe Davis who provided the winning punch for the Spinners, as the 2019 draftee doubled and homered as part of a three-hit, two RBI display. Jaxx Groshans joined in on the power display with his fourth of the campaign, while Wil Dalton chipped in with a single and a triple.
Ryan Fernandez kicked off a bullpen game for the Spinners and went 3 1/3, allowing one run and striking out as many batters. Osvaldo De La Rosa was excellent in relief, striking out three across 1 2/3 innings to earn the win. He was followed by Brendan Cellucci who struck out four in his two innings of one-run ball, and Hildemaro Requena who closed things out with two shutout innings.
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The Red Sox offense was stifled as Oscar Rangel was the only batter to collect a hit in the first game of their doubleheader with the Rays. Brock Bell started things off on the right foot for the Red Sox, as he hurled two scoreless innings and struck out three. Alexander Montero surrendered all four of the Rays runs in his 2 2/3 innings of work, and Mason Duke finished things off with 2 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox were able to secure the split in their doubleheader with a strong performance from the pitching staff. Jorge Rodriguez got the start and continued his excellent 2019, going five scoreless innings and striking out six. Relieving him, Yoelvis Guedez earned the save with a pair of shutout innings. The Red Sox did just enough at the plate, with Karson Simas singling in a run as one of only two hits on the day. Matthew Lugo and Nilo Rijo walked once and twice respectively and scored a run apiece.
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It was a forgettable day at the park for the DSL Red Sox1 squad, as they collected just three hits as a team. Eduardo Vaughan and Alex Zapete were the only starters to notch hits (each with a single), while Carlos Sanchez notched a single off of the bench. Nixson Munoz was solid on the mound, striking out six across five innings in which he surrendered two runs. Following him was Royman Blanco who tossed three shutout frames, and Isaias Ozoria who fired a scoreless ninth.
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The DSL Red Sox2 squad were shut out to round out a poor offensive day in the Red Sox rookie ball ranks. Moises Barajas and Naysbel Marcano each notched a pair of singles, but the Red Sox offense was unable to put the vital runner across the plate. Starter Juan Daniel Encarnacion was firing on all cylinders, scattering two hits across five scoreless innings and striking out seven. Efren Diaz surrendered the winning run in his three innings out of the 'pen.
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Player of the Day: Coming out of the draft, it was no secret that Joe Davis could hit but he has nevertheless proven a surprisingly steady contributor thus far in his professional career. On the heels of a three-day hitless streak. Davis has rebounded with a six-game hitting streak, in which he has smacked a pair of home runs and doubles while putting up a robust .455 batting average. The recent run of form has boosted Davis' batting line to a healthy .310/.354/.513 and now has launched five home runs on the season.
Photo Credit: Joe Davis by Kelly O'Connor