August 31, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Jedixson Paez shines, Mayer goes 2 for 5
8/31 Cup of Coffee: A pair of doubleheaders in the Dominican Summer League gives us five games yesterday. The 26-15 FCL Red Sox unleashed a fourteen-hit offensive and got a solid performance out of one of the players to be named later acquired in the Andrew Benintendi trade. Meanwhile, one DSL squad split two close games in their doubleheader while the other just could not get its offense going.
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Luis De La Rosa picked up his first win of the season with a five-inning effort in which he allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out three. The 19-year-old righty dropped his ERA to 4.08 in August after giving up just two runs over 14 innings and holding opponents to a .149 OBA. On the offensive side of things, Marcelo Mayer went 2 for 5 with his 10th RBI of the season. First baseman Darel Belen hit a pair of doubles, and Brainer Bonaci hit a double of his own and stole his 11th base of the season. Outfielder Miguel Ugueto also went 2 for 5 with an RBI and a stolen base in the seven-inning win.
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This game had previously been suspended on August 5. The offense was led by 18-year-old outfielder Juan Chacon who doubled, walked twice, and stole a base. Diego Saavedra came off the bench and hit a two-run triple, and Alex Zapete hit an RBI double and drew a pair of walks. Unfortunately, the pitching couldn't quite hold. Barbaro Piñero got things going with two scoreless innings, but Carlos Reyes, Henry Morales, and Carlos Velez collectively gave up eight runs (five earned) over the next five.
Starting pitcher Jedixson Paez pitched five three-hit innings in which he surrendered two runs (one earned), and struck out four without offering a walk. The 17-year-old righty's ERA dropped to 2.91 over 34 innings. Juan Chacon had another two hits, and Alex Zapete went 1 for 1 with a pair of walks and scored a pair of runs. Zapete is currently hitting .370 with nine doubles, and a home run over 110 plate appearances.
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Poor defense and control issues cost starting pitcher Andres Ortuna in this seven-inning game, as the 19-year-old righty surrendered three unearned runs and five hits while walking three over three innings. Miguel Bleis went 1 for 3, while Elvys Castro provided some offense with a two-run double in the top of the seventh.
In another August 5 make-up game, Jesus Rosillo pitched well over 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Unfortunately, the damage was already done with starting pitcher Cesar Soto allowing four earned runs before being pulled with one out in the fourth inning. Three of the Red team's hits were doubles with Frank Astacio, Albertson Asigen, and Jose Mendez each recording a two-bagger.
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Player of the Day: In a rare pivot to the Dominican Summer League, starting pitcher Jedixson Paez is today's feature. The 17-year-old righty picked up his first win of the season in Game 1 of the Blue team's doubleheader. Originally from Venezuela, Paez was signed January 15 for $450,000. Jedixson boasts good control. His three-pitch mix includes a curveball that is advanced for his age. Across 34 innings he has a 2.91 ERA and 35 strikeouts while walking just eight.