May 14, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Duran, Casas stay hot as all four teams win
5/14 Cup of Coffee: It was a great night for Sox farmhands, as the four clubs were all victorious. The bats were on fire across the board, as the four teams combined to score 31 runs. It was another big night for top prospects, as Jarren Duran, Triston Casas, and Gilberto Jimenez (pictured) all had huge nights yet again. Cameron Cannon also had a big offensive night for Greenville. The Drive also saw some great pitching, led by Chris Murphy.
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The red-hot Jarren Duran stole the show again in this one, belting a 440-foot laser for his fourth home run in his last five games. The lead off hitter for the Sox added a single and a walk, boosting his season OPS up to 1.086. Chris Herrmann also had a big night, going 3 for 4 with a double. Josh Ockimey added a two-run homer as well, his second long ball of the season. Stephen Gonsalves struggled a bit on the mound, allowing four earned runs on three hits and four walks in four innings. The bullpen stepped it up as Matt Hall picked up the win with two scoreless frames in relief. Caleb Simpson, Marcus Walden, and Kaleb Ort each tossed a hitless inning, combining for six strikeouts. Ort nabbed his third save of the year.
Like Duran, Triston Casas continued his hot streak for Portland, crushing his third home run in his last two games. This bomb came off of a lefty, making him an impressive 4 for 11 with a double and a home run against southpaws so far. Casas also added a single and drove in three, giving him 11 RBI on the year, which is second in the league. Ronaldo Hernandez and Grant Williams each had 2-for-4 showings at the plate as well, with Hernandez launching his first homer of the year.
Thad Ward was solid in his start, punching out seven in his four innings of work, giving up two earned runs on five hits and two walks. Matt Kent was also good in relief, striking out five and walking none in 3 2/3 innings. Jose Adames picked up his second save.
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Greenville Drive 8, Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM) 2
The first two hitters of the Drive order led the charge in this one, as Cameron Cannon and Nick Sogard each went 3 for 5. Cannon hit his second home run of the year and his fourth double, as he is now hitting .290 with a .984 OPS on the year. Brandon Howlett and Kole Cottam each grabbed two hits, and Michael Osinski hit a home run and drove in four runs. Chris Murphy turned in a terrific outing, tossing 5 1/3 scoreless frames with seven strikeouts and only three hits allowed. The 22-year old southpaw has a 1.93 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings this year. Zach Bryant and Jacob Wallace each added four strikeouts in relief, as Drive pitchers combined for 15 punchouts.
The first two hitters of the Drive order led the charge in this one, as Cameron Cannon and Nick Sogard each went 3 for 5. Cannon hit his second home run of the year and his fourth double, as he is now hitting .290 with a .984 OPS on the year. Brandon Howlett and Kole Cottam each grabbed two hits, and Michael Osinski hit a home run and drove in four runs. Chris Murphy turned in a terrific outing, tossing 5 1/3 scoreless frames with seven strikeouts and only three hits allowed. The 22-year old southpaw has a 1.93 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings this year. Zach Bryant and Jacob Wallace each added four strikeouts in relief, as Drive pitchers combined for 15 punchouts.
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Salem Red Sox 10, Lynchburg Hillcats (CLE) 2
Gilberto Jimenez had another great game, bumping his season batting average up to .351. The speedster drove in three runs, scored twice, and made a big impact on defense, throwing out a runner at the plate from right field. Stephen Scott also drove in three with a double. Matthew Lugo had a pair of hits as well, including a double. Salem received solid pitching performances all around, starting with Bradley Blalock, who tossed three scoreless innings. Jorge Rodriguez picked up the win in relief, allowing just one unearned run in four innings. Cody Scroggins closed it out and kept his ERA at 0.00 for the year, allowing just one unearned run.
Gilberto Jimenez had another great game, bumping his season batting average up to .351. The speedster drove in three runs, scored twice, and made a big impact on defense, throwing out a runner at the plate from right field. Stephen Scott also drove in three with a double. Matthew Lugo had a pair of hits as well, including a double. Salem received solid pitching performances all around, starting with Bradley Blalock, who tossed three scoreless innings. Jorge Rodriguez picked up the win in relief, allowing just one unearned run in four innings. Cody Scroggins closed it out and kept his ERA at 0.00 for the year, allowing just one unearned run.
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Player of the Day: It was a tough night to pick one guy with all the great offensive performances, but it goes to Cameron Cannon, who homered, doubled, and singled. The 2019 second round pick out of Arizona has been playing well lately after a 2-for-12 start to the year. He has multiple hits in three of his last five games with five extra-base hits in that span.
Photo Credit: Gilberto Jimenez by Kelly O'Connor