September 5, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Playoffs begin, Granberg with three RBI
9/5 Cup of Coffee: The playoffs are underway, and Salem and Lowell each made it to the playoffs. Salem earned a strong victory in the first of a five-game series behind 17 hits from seven different hitters. Devlin Granberg (pictured), Garrett Benge, Keith Curcio and Kole Cottam each recorded three hits, including deep flies from Granberg, Benge and Curcio. Lowell was on the wrong side of a 4-1 decision against Batavia in a three-game set. The Spinners only notched five hits, including a double from Gilberto Jimenez. Joe Davis also added an RBI single in the eighth.
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Salem scored early and often as part of a 17-hit explosion. It started with a four-run first, all of which happened on five hits before an out was recorded, including a three-run home run from Devlin Granberg. Granberg was one of four Red Sox to smack three hits, including Garrett Benge, Keith Curcio and Kole Cottam. Benge and Curcio each added home runs as well, and all of their hits were of the extra-base variety. Enmanuel De Jesus earned the start in the playoff opener and pitched 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball. He allowed seven hits and struck out five, without walking a batter. Yoan Aybar pitched two innings of no-hit ball and Joan Martinez finished it off with a clean ninth inning.
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Noah Song went the first three innings for Lowell and surrendered just one run on three hits. He walked one and punched out six Muckdogs. Chris Murphy handled the middle innings and added six strikeouts of his own, but two runs crossed the plate, on a pair of hits and walks each. Dylan Spacke allowed a single run on three hits, with four strikeouts mixed in. Gilberto Jimenez contributed a double, while Joe Davis drove in the only run for Lowell.
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Player of the Day: In a game full of strong offensive performances, Devlin Granberg stood out. The sixth-round pick in 2018 was 3 for 5 and helped start Salem off on the right foot with a three-run home run after the first two hitters reached. Granberg started the playoffs out with a bang and it was his fourth multi-hit game in his last nine contests. The home run also was his first in Salem after his call-up on August 7.
Photo Credit: Devlin Granberg by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Devlin Granberg by Kelly O'Connor