Cup of Coffee: Mayer keeps rolling; Keller fans 10

8/4 Cup of Coffee: For the second straight day, all four full-season affiliates were swept, and for the second straight day it was not any fault of Marcelo Mayers. Shane Drohan and Brian Keller turned in solid starts for Greenville and Worcester, respectively, and the two prospects acquired in the deal that sent Christian Vazquez to San Diego both made their Red Sox system debuts. 

-----

Durham Bulls (TB) 3, Worcester Red Sox 1

Worcester managed only four hits against a parade of six Durham hurlers, wasting a solid outing from Brian Keller. The 28-year-old righty, taken last December in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, allowed just one run on two hits in six innings, striking out 10 and walking two. Keller has a 1.59 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings going back to the start of June. Eduard Bazardo took the loss, giving up two runs in 1 2/3. Bazardo has given up multiple runs in four of his last five outings, following a 10-appearance run in which he gave up just one run total. The newly-acquired Enmanuel Valdez made an impact in his first appearance in a WooSox uniform. Batting cleanup and getting the start at second base, Valdez blasted a fourth-inning solo home run.

-----

Erie SeaWolves (DET) 9, Portland Sea Dogs 5

Portland worked five walks and had four hits for extra bases, but did little else as they dropped a second straight contest to Erie. Alex Binelas and Izzy Wilson both went deep for the Sea Dogs, with Wilson also walking twice. David Hamilton went 0 for 3 but made an impact with his legs, stealing his 50th base of the season and managing to score from second on a groundout. Wilyer Abreu joined Valdez in making his organizational debut, going 1 for 4. Victor Santos took the loss, surrendering four runs on five hits in 4 1/3. 

-----

Rome Braves (ATL) 6, Greenville Drive 5

Shane Drohan turned in a solid start and departed with a 5-1 lead, but was let down by the Drive bullpen. Drohan allowed four hits in 5 1/3 innings, the only run coming on a fourth-inning solo homer. He struck out five without issuing a walk. Phillip Sikes led the way at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a home run, double, and two runs scored. Joe Davis also had a pair of hits, driving in two.

-----

Fayetteville Woodpeckers (HOU) 8, Salem Red Sox 6

Marcelo Mayer continues to perform as advertised. Last July's fourth overall pick reached base four times, going 2 for 3 with two walks, a double, an RBI, and a run scored. The double is his 25th of the year, good for second in the Carolina League. Tyler Miller tallied a pair of hits, while Brainer Bonaci added a triple, a walk, and two runs scored. Starter Gabriel Jackson allowed five runs on seven hits in three innings. Adenys Bautista had a strong outing in relief, striking out four while allowing just one baserunner on a hit-by-pitch in 2 2/3 innings

-----

Player of the Day: Marcelo Mayer had an up-and-down first 10 weeks of the season, delivering solid-but-unspectacular production while battling injuries and strikeout issues. In his last 26 games, however, Mayer has been a monster. After reaching base four times on Wednesday, he has hit .323/.467/.602 in his last 26 games, including nine doubles and five home runs. In his first two games since the calendar flipped to August, he is 3 for 6 with four walks, a double, and a home run.

Photo Credit: Marcelo Mayer by Kelly O'Connor

Tweet