August 19, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Haworth takes no-hitter into sixth; Cannon powers Spinners
8/19 Cup of Coffee: A no-hit bid by Greenville's Hunter Haworth (pictured) and a Lowell attack led by Cameron Cannon and Gilberto Jimenez highlighted the affiliates two Sunday victories. Haworth combined with a pair of relievers on a five-hitter, while Lowell's victory helped open up its division lead. Salem missed a chance to bolster its playoff chances, getting swept in a doubleheader. The PawSox lost a heartbreaker despite some strong individual performances, while little went right for Portland, who dropped to fourth place in the Eastern Division.
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Another strong start by Teddy Stankiewicz wasn't enough to get the PawSox back into the win column, as they dropped a stunner in the ninth. Stankiewicz, allowed just two runs (one earned) on seven hits in six innings, striking out eight against just one walk. The second-round pick back in 2013 has been on one of the best runs of his pro career of late: it was his fourth straight start with two or fewer runs allowed and his 4.06 ERA ranks fourth in the offense-inflated 2019 International League. The righty departed with the lead, but the normally stingy Trevor Kelley was not able to nail down the victory. Kelly, who entered the day with a 1.55 ERA, allowed a two-run ninth inning homer to former first rounder Daz Cameron. Tanner Houck had pitched a perfect eighth inning, striking out one. Houck has allowed a run in just three of his 11 Triple-A outings. CJ Chatham led the way at the plate, extending his hitting streak to five games with a 2-for-5 effort.
At 12 1/2 games out of first place, the PawSox are all-but-officially eliminated from the playoff hunt. However, they'll have a great opportunity to play spoiler, as eight of their 16 remaining games are against first place Scranton, who is holding tight to a two-game lead over both Buffalo and Syracuse.
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It was a long afternoon for the Sea Dogs against their New England rivals, getting out-hit 18 to four. Starter Matt Kent bore the brunt of the Fisher Cat attack, giving up four runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings. It was also a rough outing for Durbin Feltman, who had gone a long way toward turning his season around after a shaky start. Feltman surrendered a walk, double, and three-run homer while recording just one out. Brett Netzer delivered a solo homer in the fourth to account for the Portland scoring.
The loss dropped Portland to fourth place in the Eastern Division, as Hartford leapfrogged the Sea Dogs with a victory.
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Salem lost the opener despite a solid effort by Daniel Gonzalez. The veteran righty allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in five innings. Salem managed just three hits, with a Garrett Benge double the only one going for extra bases. Benge also scored the lone Salem run when he raced home on a Ryan Fitzgerald sacrifice fly.
The Sox missed their opportunity to salvage a split, giving up two runs in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings before suffering the walk-off in the eighth. Benge went deep for the third time in August after submitting just two round-trippers in the first four months of the season. However, he also committed a costly error in the seventh that contributed to a pair of unearned runs. Jerry Downs doubled twice, while Fitzgerald was 2 for 4 with a triple and stolen base. Starter Enmanuel De Jesus gave up two runs on six hits in five innings.
Despite the sweep, Salem lost just a half-game from its lead in the Northern Division as Potomac fell as well.
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An outstanding effort by Hunter Haworth ended the Drive's losing streak at five. Haworth took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before being broken up on a bunt single with one out. It was the only hit he allowed on an afternoon where he struck out seven and walked two in six shutout frames and retired 11 consecutive batters before the base hit. Hickory picked up single runs against Yoan Aybar and Oddanier Mosqueda, but Greenville never trailed in the contest. Tyler Esplin led the offense, driving in both runs as part of a 2-for-3 effort. Jonathan Ortega was also 2 for 3, picking up a double.
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Strong efforts by Cameron Cannon and Gilberto Jimenez and a return to form by Aldo Ramirez helped the Spinners pick up an important win in the Stedler Division race. Cannon was 3 for 5 with a double and three RBI. It was the fourth time in 40 games with Lowell that the second-round pick has recorded three hits. Jimenez continues to be a catalyst out of the leadoff spot, going 2 for 5 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Luke Bandy also had a pair of hits, while Antoni Flores drove in two runs.
Ramirez had seen his ERA jump from 3.03 to 4.11 in his previous three starts, but was solid on Sunday. He gave up two runs (one earned) on just two hits across five innings, striking out four and walking two. Miguel Suero allowed a solo homer, but it was the only hit he gave up in three innings of relief.
With the win, the Spinners' lead in the Stedler Division moves back to 3 1/2 games over the second place Tigers with 13 games left on the schedule. The teams close the regular season with a three-game head-to-head series in Norwich.
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Player of the Day: He lost his no-hit bid, but Hunter Haworth picked up both the victory and Player of the Day recognition. Haworth has been a valuable swingman on the Greeville staff, making eight starts and appearing in 21 games out of the bullpen. This was the first time this season he has made consecutive starts and also the first time he completed six full frames. After a tough adjustment to the South Atlantic League in 2018, Haworth has taken huge strikes this season despite a middling ERA. He ranks first on the staff and eighth in the circuit with 115 strikeouts, and he's reached that mark in just 91 innings.
Photo Credit: Hunter Haworth by Kelly O'Connor