August 9, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Duran, Curletta power Sea Dogs rout
8/9 Cup of Coffee: It was a good night down on the farm, with some excellent performances against tough pitching matchups. Joey Curletta (pictured) led the charge for Portland against a recent first-round pick, while Jarren Duran provided insurance with his first homer in over two months. The PawSox jacked a pair against a rehabbing ace on their way to victory, while Salem finished off a long series with a win. Greenville fell despite a big effort by Everlouis Lozada, while Lowell could not get the timely hit it needed. It was a drastic split in the Dominican Summer League, with the Red Sox2 affiliate pulverizing its opponent with a 17-run day, while the Red Sox1 managed just three hits, all singles.
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Chris Owings and Josh Ockimey both took two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber deep to help lead the Red Sox. Owings hit a solo shot in the first off the rehabbing Indians ace, and Ockimey followed in the second. An Owings double and Bobby Dalbec single were the PawSox' only other hits, but it was enough as Josh Smith turned in a quality start. Smith gave up just one run on two hits in six innings of work. Trevor Kelley threw a scoreless ninth to record the save.
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It was all Portland, as the lineup ripped 16 hits off of 2017 first rounder Alex Faedo and a trio of relievers. Joey Curletta led the way, going 2 for 3 with a solo homer, two walks, and three runs scored. Jarren Duran went deep for the first time since his June 3rd promotion for Salem, a 417-foot blast to left-center. Charlie Madden also homered as part of a two-hit afternoon, while Luke Tendler delivered three hits.
The nine runs were more than enough for starter Konnor Wade. The veteran righty cruised through seven scoreless innings, scattering five hits and striking out five without issuing a walk. Jenrry Mejia joined Portland after a rehab stint with Lowell to work his way back from a lower back strain. He pitched a scoreless eighth, giving up one hit and striking out one. Robinson Leyer went the ninth to complete the shutout.
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Salem earned a split of the rare six-game series at Haley Toyota Field with the victory on Thursday. Dylan Thompson got the win despite some shaky control, going five innings and walking five batters but giving up just two runs on five hits. Andrew Politi was excellent out of the bullpen, striking out six in 3 2/3 scoreless frames. Logan Browning recorded the final out to get credit for the save in his second outing since being promoted from Greenville at the beginning of the week. Keith Curcio led the way at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double, RBI, and run scored. Tanner Nishioka also notched a pair of hits.
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The Drive tailspin continues with their 13th loss in 15 games. Everlouis Lozada was a bright spot at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a homer, double, walk, and two runs scored. Kole Cottam also doubled as part of his two-hit evening. It was a rough go for Chris Machamer, who allowed eight runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings.
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Lowell missed out on several opportunities, going 2 for 14 with runners in scoring position. All three Vermont runs came in the second inning off of starter Aldo Ramirez, who lasted just 1 2/3, allowing three hits and striking out three without issuing a walk. The bullpen was outstanding, with Miguel Suero, Osvaldo De La Rosa, and Ryan Fernandez teaming up for 7 1/3 scoreless innings. Kervin Suarez was 2 for 4 with a triple, while Cameron Cannon had his second multi-hit effort in three games. Stephen Scott drove in the lone Spinners run with a fifth-inning double.
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A day after Red Sox1 hurlers fired a three-hit shutout, the Marlins staff returned the favor. Eddinson Paulino, Daniel Belen, and Carlos Sanchez had a single apiece against the trio of Marlins on Thursday. Carlos Velez allowed two runs on six hits in four innings to take the loss.
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All of the batting mojo in the Dominican Summer League went to the Red Sox2 affiliate, as they pounded out 15 hits and walked 10 times on their way to scoring in seven out of eight innings. Axel James led the way, tripling twice and driving in four runs as part of a 4-for-6 effort. Bryan Gonzalez blasted a sixth-inning grand slam. It was his eighth homer of the year coing one day after Albert Feliz of the Red Sox1 squad reached the same mark, tying Victor Acosta for the DSL Red Sox team record. Gonzalez also doubled, walked, and had three runs scored. Railin Perez struck out six, allowing two runs on five hits in 4 2/3. Andres Ortuno went 3 1/3 scoreless to get credit for the win.
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Player of the Day: There were several strong candidates, but Joey Curletta reached base four times and homered off a Top 100 prospect to take the honors. It was the first baseman's seventh during his time with Portland and 12th overall this season including his time with Tacoma. The 25-year-old Arizona native was claimed off waivers from Seattle in early May, and has provided stability at first and in the middle of the lineup for the Sea Dogs.
Photo Credit: Joey Curletta by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Joey Curletta by Kelly O'Connor