September 3, 2019 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Sturgeon hits three home runs, Casas goes yard in debut
9/3 Cup of coffee: It was an exciting final day of the regular season, as three affiliates won their contests and the other lost a thriller in extra-innings. Cole Sturgeon (pictured) single-handedly won the game for Pawtucket, as he launched three home runs including a two-run walk-off; while the Sea Dogs fell despite strong efforts from Jeremy Rivera and Jarren Duran. In Salem, Alex Scherff delivered an excellent start and Triston Casas launched a home run to give Salem the victory.
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In the final game of their 2019 campaign, Cole Sturgeon and the PawSox put on a thriller as they came from behind twice to defeat the IronPigs. Sturgeon hit a career-high three home runs, including a long ball that tied the game in the eighth, and the home run to walk it off in the tenth. Oscar Hernandez chipped in with an RBI double to open the scoring. Teddy Stankiewicz got the start for Pawtucket and was solid, scattering four hits across as many scoreless innings and striking out three. Tanner Houck relived him and delivered 2 2/3 innings in which he surrendered a run. Coming on in the ninth, Trevor Kelley kept things even with a scoreless frame, and Domingo Tapia got the win despite allowing an unearned run in the tenth.
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While the PawSox were flying high, the Sea Dogs were unable to replicate that same success as they lost a heartbreaker at Hadlock. Things got off to a rough start for Portland, as starter Matt Kent was hammered to the tune of six runs in six innings. Jordan Weems and Eduard Bazardo steadied the ship with a scoreless inning apiece, but the Fisher Cats were able to get two runs (one earned) off of Dedgar Jimenez who was tabbed with the loss.
At the plate, Jeremy Rivera had a rare offensive outburst, homering as part of a three-hit, two-RBI night. Jarren Duran did what he does best, lacing his fifth triple of the season for Portland (eighth overall) and adding a single. Also chipping in were Jagger Rusconi, who singled and doubled, and Luke Tendler, who launched his eleventh homer of the season.
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Making his High A debut, Alex Scherff made a strong first impression to help the Red Sox to victory. The right-hander went 6 1/3 innings and allowed just a single run while striking out three. Joan Martinez followed him with 1 2/3 shutout innings (striking out two) and Rio Gomez shut the door with a scoreless ninth. Taking a page out of Scherff's book Triston Casas started his Salem career off with a bang, launching a three-run home run that reportedly traveled 437 feet. Tanner Nishioka capped off a strong end to the season with yet another two-hit night (his eighth in nine days), while Elih Marrero smacked his second double in a Salem uniform.
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Greenville Drive @ Charleston RiverDogs (NYY), Canceled (Inclement Weather)
The contest between the Drive and River Dogs was canceled due to the coming hurricane. A makeup day has not been announced.
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The Spinners fell behind early but struck right back in order to win their final tune-up before the playoffs start on Thursday. Kelvin Sanchez was solid on the mound for Lowell, surrendering just an earned run in four innings pitched. Yasel Santana allowed another run in two innings out of the 'pen, but the combined efforts of Osvaldo De La Rosa, Ryan Fernandez, and Kris Jackson silenced the Connecticut bats to secure the victory. An offensive team effort was led by Marino Campana, who drove in a team-high two runs with his third-inning single. Wil Dalton had a productive day at the plate as he singled, walked, scored a run and drove in a run. Cameron Cannon also chipped in with a stolen base and a run scored.
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Player of the Day: Coming into Monday night Cole Sturgeon was two home runs shy of his season-high of nine (set in 2018), but that quickly changed. Sturgeon's three home runs in one game represented another career-high and left the light-hitting outfielder with a total of ten long balls. Never a standout hitter, Sturgeon had yet another solid season at the dish. The Louisville product finished with a .277/.334/.426 batting line, his second-highest season totals in batting average and on-base percentage, and his highest slugging mark to date.
Photo Credit: Cole Sturgeon by Kelly O'Connor