July 30, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Brito stars as DSL squads sweep twinbills
7/30 Cup of Coffee: Both Dominican Summer League teams had de facto doubleheaders, finishing suspended games from earlier in the month before moving on to the regularly-scheduled contests. Team Red moved to 30-9 on the season with a sweep capped by an Edwin Brito home run. Top international signee Vladimir Asencio shook off his slump to lead the Blue squad.
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Team Red opened with the completion of its contest from July 22, picking things up in the sixth inning. Juan Henriquez pitched the final 1 2/3 last week and came back on to go the final 4 1/3 shutout frames. His final line had him scattering three hits across six scoreless, striking out five and walking one. Anderson Fermin drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th inning and came on for an insurance score on an Edwin Brito sacrifice fly.
Brito again delivered the big swing, this time in the form of a three-run homer in the sixth inning. Avinson Pinto, who had three hits over two days in the opener, worked a pair of walks and scored a run. Jose Martinez allowed two runs on four hits in five innings. Anthony Felix gave up three hits in two scoreless innings to earn his first professional win.
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Team Blue joined their Red counterparts in picking up a restart win. Suspended on July 19 due to lightning with the score tied at 3-3, the teams resumed play in the top of the fifth. Vladimir Asencio singled to lead off the eighth, advanced on an error and walk, and raced home on a wild pitch with what proved to be the winning run. The hit was the third of the contest for Asencio, who also drew a walk. Felix Belisario picked up the win, allowing two hits in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Gilbel Galvan went the final two for the save.
The Blue squad pounded out 10 hits and stole seven bases in the seven-inning nightcap. Asencio singled and swiped a pair of bags, while Josue Brito had a pair of hits, walk, steal, RBI and run scored. Justin Gonzales doubled for the only extra-base hit of the contest and scored a pair of runs. Starter Yoelvin Chirino allowed a run on two hits in three innings. Enrique Carta earned the win with 3 1/3 hitless innings.
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Player of the Day: Edwin Brito delivered a key sacrifice fly in the DSL Red Sox Red opener and blasted a three-run homer to make the difference in the nightcap. The 17-year-old outfielder drew the third-largest bonus given by the Red Sox in the 2024 international signing period, getting $450,000. After a slow start, Brito is hitting .274/.324/.532 with five home runs in 18 July contests.