Cup of Coffee: Salem shuts out Down East; Van Belle goes 4.2 scoreless

7/13 Cup of Coffee: Portland, which was the final game to finish, spoiled the potential full-season sweep, as it allowed three unanswered runs to end the game, stranding the go-ahead run at first. Otherwise, it was a strong day for the farm clubs. Worcester received 4 2/3 scoreless innings from Brian Van Belle, while Niko Kavadas (pictured) was 3 for 5 with a team-record seven RBI, including a home run. Eduardo Lopez notched four singles for Greenville, while Matt Duffy and Danny Kirwin combined to record a shutout for Salem. It was a mixed bag in the complex leagues, as the FCL and DSL Blue squads each fell in close affairs, while DSL Red squeezed out a win.

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It was a high-scoring first inning in Worcester, as both squads put three runs on the board, but the Red Sox responded with three runs in the third and fourth, as well as two more in the fifth, to run away with the contest. Niko Kavadas had seven of those RBI as part of a 3-for-5 performance, including a three-run big fly in the third that proved to bring in the game-winning run. Nick Yorke, Nathan Hickey and Bobby Dalbec, who had three RBI, each had two hits as well. Brian Van Belle was more than impressive in relief, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless frames. He faced two over the minimum, with just two singles on his tab while striking out five. Luis Guerrero also struck out the side in order in the ninth.

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It started out wellfor Portland, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. However, the hosting Yard Goats got one each in the sixth, seventh and eighth before stranding a pair of Sea Dogs in the ninth. Wikelman Gonzalez was strong over the first three innings, with just one hit and two strikeouts. Helcris Olivarez followed, with two more scoreless frames, but the tying run came on Zach Bryant's watch while Alex Hoppe gave up the go-ahead tally.

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The tying run got to scoring position in the bottom of the ninth, but Greenville held on to secure the win. Rome jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the second, but the Drive scored in four of its next five at-bats, capped off by a three-run third to claim the lead. Eduardo Lopez was a perfect 4 for 4 out of the No. 9 spot in the lineup, while Allan Castro knocked a solo home run in the sixth as part of a two-hit night. Blake Wehunt rebounded well from the three-run second, getting through five frames without allowing another run. He surrendered five hits and one walk with four strikeouts. Adam Smith also threw two shutout innings of relief.

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Matt Duffy led the way for Salem as the Red Sox shut out Down East in the opener of what was supposed to be a doubleheader. He allowed a pair of hits and a walk while striking out four over the first four innings. He was followed by Danny Kirwin, who faced just one over the minimum over the final three frames. He didn't surrender a hit but walked two hitters. The bats got taken out of most of the Salem hitters' hands, as they worked seven walks. Natanael Yuten, who had one of just three base knocks, was hit by a pitch. Stanley Tucker added a two-run double.

The second half of the twin bill was rained out. They'll try for a second day in a row to play a pair.

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It was a crosstown battle on Friday and the Twins came out on top after a four-run sixth that beat out a pair of tallies in the third by the Red Sox, one of which came on a Starlyn Nunez homer. Franklin Arias was 2 for 3, including a triple, and accounted for 40 percent of his team's hits. The start went to Chansol Lee, who worked as an opener and allowed just a walk in the first before ceding to Adam Bates. He went four perfect frames, notching a quartet of punchouts along the way.  

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Red had just five hits and three walks, while the Padres didn't commit any errors, but they were still able to scratch across four runs and record a victory. Christopher Alvarado worked two of those free passes and also doubled, crossing the plate a pair of times, while Alexander Mambel hit a two-run home run in the fifth. Yermain Rodriguez was on the mound and pitched 3 1/3 innings without a run, allowing a hit. He walked three and struck out five. Yander Bonaci struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth. 

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Blue started quick, with three runs in the top of the first and another in the third, but the Tigers had a five-run fourth and took the lead for good. Tavano Baker was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate and Moises Bolivar added a solo shot in the third. He, along with Justin Gonzales and Liosward Marin, joined Baker in the multi-hit club.

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Player of the Day: It was a big day for Niko Kavadas, who drove in a  team single-game record seven runs on the evening. No other team involved in an affiliate game on Friday was able to beat that. If there's one thing the big first baseman can do, it's hit, and he showcased both contact and power, as he drilled his 15th homer of the year. There's still some swing-and-miss in his game, which limits his ability at the major league level, but he has shown the aptitude to hit the ball a ton in Worcester.