August 17, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Song, Bello deal
8/17 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket and Lowell had the long ball working, as the two teams combined for six home runs, including Bobby Dalbec and C.J. Chatham. Brayan Bello (pictured) was brilliant over seven innings for Greenville, and Thaddeus Ward was solid for Salem. Ian Cundall was in attendance to see Bryan Mata throw for Portland, while Noah Song was outstanding in his three innings of work.
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The ball was flying for the Sox, as Bobby Dalbec, C.J. Chatham, and Jantzen Witte each went deep. It was Chatham's first home run with the PawSox. Chatham and Dalbec also added doubles. Kyle Hart picked up his ninth victory of the season with six solid frames, allowing just two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. Bobby Poyner and Trevor Kelley each added a scoreless inning as well, with Kelley notching his 11th save.
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Bryan Mata started this one and surrendered seven hits and four runs across six innings, but SoxProspects.com's Ian Cundall, who was in attendance, noted that Mata's outing was better than his line indicated, as he sat at 96 MPH with his fastball and retired the final nine hitters he faced. Jordan Weems and Robinson Leyer tossed shutout frames, with all three of Leyer's outs coming via the strikeout. At the plate, Jarren Duran stayed hot by going 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Cundall also noted Duran's quick bat speed and ability to hit to all fields. Luke Tendler also had a 2-for-4 night.
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Thaddeus Ward was brilliant in this one, allowing just one hit over five shutout innings with seven strikeouts. Logan Browning and Anyelo Gomez each added a scoreless inning of their own. Keith Curcio went 3 for 4 with a double, and Jagger Rusconi went 2 for 4. The lone run for Salem came on a sacrifice fly from Devlin Granberg to score Curcio.
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Brayan Bello was phenomenal in a very tough-luck loss. He went the first seven and allowed just one run on only four hits. He struck out eight and did not issue a free pass. Angel Padron was also good in relief, tossing two scoreless innings. The Drive only had two hits, with Cole Cottam going 1 for 4 with a triple.
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Noah Song was the story of this one, tossing three no-hit innings with six strikeouts and just one walk. Song has yet to allow an earned run in four professional games so far. The Lowell bats broke out with five runs in a sixth inning that included three long balls by Stephen Scott, Wil Dalton, and Nick Decker. Decker and Scott also added two-baggers.
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GCL Red Sox @ GCL Twins (PPD; rain)
The GCL Sox were postponed due to rain. They will play a pair of games today.
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It was a tough start for Wilkelman Gonzalez, who got just one out before allowing four runs on four walks and two hits. Robinson Montero came on and also gave up four runs, but lasted four innings and struck out six. Isaac Pinales, Michael Valera, and Johan Martinez combined for 3 2/3 shutout frames, with Valera and Martinez taking care of the final two innings. Eduardo Vaughan went 3 for 5 at the dish, while Erick Flores reached all four times with two hits and two walks.
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The Sox mustered just six hits in this one, with Wilmer Perez, Jose Navas, and Danny Diaz each roped doubles. Faysel Gregorio suffered a tough loss, as errors and passed balls led to him allowing three runs (all unearned) in 3 2/3 innings. Robinson Parra finished the final four innings, surrendering three runs (two earned).
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Player of the Night: Brayan Bello has had a rough go of it this year, posting a 6.11 ERA coming into last night's terrific outing. On the positive side, the 20-year old right-hander has now struck out 112 batters over 102 2/3 innings while only issuing 33 free passes. He was signed as an international free agent in 2017 and posted a 1.60 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP over 67 1/3 innings between the DSL and GCL last year.
Photo Credit: Brayan Bello by Kelly O'Connor