August 13, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Pinto stars in rout as DSL Sox near playoff berth
8/13 Cup of Coffee: There's just over a week to go in the Dominican Summer League and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Team Red got a huge effort led by Avinson Pinto and Jhoan Peguero as they near a division title and chase the top overall seed. A walk-off loss for Team Blue dealt a major blow to their longshot chase.
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The Red squad was firing on all cylinders Monday, ripping 17 hits while the pitching staff carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. Avinson Pinto reached base four times, delivering three singles and a walk as he scored three runs. Jhoan Peguero also scored three times, picking up two doubles and a walk. Justin Gonzales moved over from the DSL Red Sox Blue roster this weekend and made his Red debut, going 1 for 4 with a two-bagger. Edwin Brito was 2 for 3 with a triple, walk, and three runs scored.
Yodrian Beltre went four hitless innings, striking out four and walking two. Beltre has come on strong down the stretch, allowing just one earned run in 18 innings over his last four starts. Yander Bonaci continued to the no-hit bid for two additional innings, getting credit for his fifth victory of the season. The Athletics finally mustered their first offense in the seventh inning, snapping both the no-hitter and the shutout against Enrique Carta. Carta gave up the one run in two frames, followed by a scoreless ninth from Anthony Felix.
With the victory, Team Red maintains a five-game lead in the South Division over the DSL Reds. The Sox have five games to play on their schedule, while the Reds have seven remaining. The DSL Giants Black are atop the overall standings by winning percentage despite being a 1/2-game behind the DSL Sox in the win-loss column.
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The Red Sox Blue saw their six-game winning streak and their slim playoff hopes disappear with a walk-off loss on Monday. Catcher Samuel Arroyo was a bright spot in the contest, picking up a double and drawing a pair of walks. Vladimir Asencio walked twice and swiped a pair of bases. Starter Yoelvin Chirino struggled with his control, walking six of the 13 batters he faced on his way to allowing three runs on two hits in two innings.
The loss drops Team Blue to 7 1/2 games behind DSL CLE Goryl in the North Division, While the Sox have eight games remaining on their schedule, Team Goryl has just five. Unless there are makeups not currently showing on the schedule, the loss officially eliminates the Blue squad from the playoff race.
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Player of the Day: Avinson Pinto gets the nod both for his effort on Monday and throughout the playoff push. With four more times on base, Pinto has raised his OBP up over the .400 mark on the year, up to .404. Pinto sports a .320/.433/.400 in nine August games.