August 24, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Scherff, Kent turn in solid outings
8/24 Cup of Coffee: Alex Scherff (pictured) and Matthew Kent each turned in brilliant outings, but Scherff was the one who got all the run support. Pawtucket hit a trio of home runs and Kervin Suarez did plenty of damage for Greenville. Salem had their game suspended in extra innings.
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The PawSox used three solo home runs to their advantage, as Tzu-Wei Lin, Cole Sturgeon, and Rusney Castillo each went deep. For Castillo, it was his 17th home run of the year, a career-high. The trio each added another hit as well. Teddy Stankiewicz picked up the win with a solid effort through 5 2/3 innings, as he surrendered just two runs (one earned) with six strikeouts and only one walk. Colten Brewer struck out three in 1 1/3 innings, while Hector Velazquez and Trevor Kelley each tossed a scoreless frame to close it out, with Kelley striking out two and grabbing his 12th save. Michael Chavis went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts in his rehab appearance.
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Matthew Kent struck out 11 over six frames while allowing just two runs, but the Portland offense was unable to pick him up. Robinson Leyer struggled in relief of Kent, giving up two runs with three walks in just one inning. Jordan Weems tossed two impressive innings, as he did not allow a run and all six outs he got came via the strikeout. Jarren Duran went 1 for 4 with a walk, Tommy Joseph picked up two hits, and Luke Tendler and Austin Rei each hit doubles. Portland's elimination number for the division is down to one.
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Salem put up a four-spot in the bottom of the first, but was unable to push across another run over the next ten frames, as this one was suspended in the 11th. Kole Cottam hit a two-run shot in the first and Keith Curcio knocked in a run with a triple. Tanner Nishioka and Michael Osinski each doubled and Ryan Fitzgerald went 2 for 4. Salem holds a half-game lead on Wilmington and a two-game lead on Potomac.
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The bats came alive for Greenville, who were led by Kervin Suarez' 2-for-3 night. He doubled, hit his first home run of the year, scored three times and drove in three. Tyler Esplin and Cole Brannon each went 2 for 4 as well, while Jordan Wren doubled, scored twice, and drove in a run. Alex Scherff, who had not gone seven innings all year, went seven last night for the second consecutive outing. He gave up only one run on five hits with six strikeouts and only two walks. Devon Fisher and Oddanier Mosqeda each threw a scoreless inning to end it, as Mosqueda punched out two.
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Lowell also had a good offensive night, as everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit. Cameron Canning and Nick Northcut each doubled and knocked in two. Jaxx Groshans and Antoni Flores both singled twice as well. Noah Song pitched three solid innings, giving up just one run on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Yasel Santana was terrific in relief, tossing four shutout innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Kris Jackson closed it out with a clean ninth.
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The Sox got some great pitching, as Aaron Perry and Eddie Jimenez each threw three shutout innings to start the game, giving up only two hits combined. Perry struck out four. Jose Larez finished it off with two hitless innings with two strikeouts and two walks. The only run for the Sox came on a solo shot by Ceddanne Rafaela. Dean Miller also added a two-bagger.
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DSL Marlins @ DSL Red Sox1 (PPD; rain)
The first DSL Sox team was postponed due to rain.
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DSL Red Sox2 @ DSL Indians (PPD; rain)
The second DSL team was also postponed because of showers.
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Player of the Night: Alex Scherff has had a bit of a rough year with a 4.92 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and a .290 batting average against. He has been better lately, however, giving up five earned runs over his last 18 innings pitched. Scherff was taken in the fifth round in 2017.
Photo Credit: Alex Scherff by Kelly O'Connor