Cup of Coffee: Light continues to shine, Portland mounts a comeback

7/28 Cup of Coffee: Former first-round picks Matt Barnes and Pat Light (pictured) each had strong starts on Sunday, though only Light was able to pick up a victory. The Sea Dogs mounted an impressive comeback, and Greenville's offense hit the ball all over the park. 

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Pawtucket could not extend their winning streak to 12 games, falling to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (NYY), 3-1. Matt Barnes pitched well in defeat, allowing two runs on four hits in five innings, walking two and striking out six. John Ely went the rest of the way, surrendering one run in his three innings of relief. There was not much to speak of offensively for the PawSox, with Ryan Lavarnway's double accounting for the lone extra-base hit. Lavarnway had two hits, while Will Middlebrooks and Mookie Betts each added a single.

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Red Sox acquire two pitching prospects in Peavy trade

The Boston Red Sox traded veteran right-hander Jake Peavy to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday in exchange for two pitching prospects, 25-year-old right-handed reliever Heath Hembree and 22-year-old left-handed starter Edwin Escobar. Both players were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Hembree was originally drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2010 draft out of the College of Charleston. He made his major league debut last season as a September call-up, and in 7 2/3 innings over nine appearances, he gave up four hits with 12 strikeouts. Heading into the 2014 season, Hembree was ranked as the Giants's sixth-best prospect by MLB.com. This season, Hembree 18 saves with 46 strikeouts and a 3.89 ERA over 39 1/3 innings.

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Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket pushes streak to 11 games

7/27 Cup of Coffee: The Pawtucket Red Sox moved their season-long winning streak to 11 games. Portland got shut out and managed only five hits. Salem got doubled up, while Greenville and Lowell were able to come away with victories.  The GCL Red Sox got behind early and lost, and the DSL Red Sox scored two runs late to get the win.

Pawtucket has continued its hot hitting and has pushed their season-high winning streak to 11 games with an 8-5 victory over Scranton-Wilkes Barre RailRiders (NYY).  Pawtucket sits just a half game behind division leading Syracuse (WAS). Starting pitcher Chris Hernandez, who replaced Allen Webster late after a call-up due to the Jake Peavy trade, got knocked around early giving up five runs in the first two innings. He settled down a bit finishing four innings having given up five earned runs on five hits with four walks and three punch outs. In just four innings, Hernandez threw 85 pitches, 51 for strikes. The Pawtucket bullpen was stellar combining for five scoreless innings, four hits and seven strikeouts.

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Cup of Coffee: Johnson strikes out 12 in win, Betts leads PawSox in route

7/26 Cup of Coffee: Brian Johnson struck out 12 in Portland's 1-0 victory while Mookie Betts leads Pawtucket in a route. Salem and Lowell won convincingly while the DSL and GCL Red Sox prevailed in tight contests. Greenville was the only affiliate who lost Friday. 

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Led by top prospect Mookie Betts (Pictured), the Pawtucket Red Sox downed the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (NYY) 10-2. Betts, who led off and played right field, reached base five times in the game; he was 4 for 5 with one walk. Designated hitter Ryan Roberts went deep in the game, his sixth home run of the season. The three-run shot came in the PawSox's eight-run fourth inning, which ultimately decided the game. Following Roberts homer in the fourth was a double from first baseman Travis Shaw. Shaw was 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. 

Right-hander Anthony Ranaudo was strong through six innings; he gave up three hits and two walks while striking out four. 

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The Write-Up: Henry Owens

In this edition of The Write-Up, Chaz Fiorino provides a detailed scouting look at SoxProspects #3 prospect, Henry Owens.

Pitcher: Henry Owens

Team: Portland (AA)
Throws: L
DOB: 7/21/1992 (Age 22)
Height: 6-6
Weight: 205 

Scout: Chaz Fiorino
Date Scouted: 7/19/14
Stat line: 6.1 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 104-67 Pitches-Strikes. 16 swing-misses.

Physical Description: Tall, lanky, long limbs. Huge hands and feet. Still has room for strength gains in legs and upper body.

Arm/Delivery Mechanics: Semi-wind up. First-base side of the rubber. High 3/4 arm slot. Short arm action in back. Hands set at chest, drops hands and pulls back up in rhythm with delivery. Low-effort arm action/delivery. Hid the ball well generating deception.

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Cup of Coffee: Owens falters in Futures rematch; Shaw leads PawSox

7/25 Cup of Coffee: It was a tough day on the farm, as only two affiliates came out on top. Pawtucket won in the completion of Wednesday's game, and then cruised to another victory in the regularly scheduled contest. The DSL Red Sox were the only other victorious club. Among the losses, the most intriguing contest featured Portland as a Futures Game rematch took place with Henry Owens on the mound. 

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Pawtucket prevailed 7-2 against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) in a game that was suspended in the fourth inning on Wednesday. Travis Shaw (pictured, left) was 2 for 2 when the game was halted, and finished up 3 for 4 with a walk and run scored. Matt Spring, who drove in a run with a double before the delay, plated two more with another two-base hit in the eighth inning. Ryan Verdugo took the mound in place of original starter Steven Wright, and was dominant in earning the win. Verdugo fired 3 1/3 hitless innings, striking out three and walking only one. Miguel Celestino continued the effort with two perfect frames. He struck out three.

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In the regularly scheduled contest, Pawtucket never trailed in a 5-1 win over the IronPigs. Brandon Workman allowed the one run on five hits in six strong innings. He struck out six and walked one, and raised his record to 6-1. Tommy Layne struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning. Shaw again played a key role in the offensive attack, going 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI. Will Middlebrooks homered for the second straight day and is now 9 for 26 in his last six rehab outings. Ryan Roberts drove in three of Pawtucket's five runs, going 3 for 4 with two doubles, and Mookie Betts was 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. 

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Cup of Coffee: Martinez, Heller, Weems lead Salem bats in win

7/24 Cup of Coffee:  Salem took home a big victory thanks to an impressive team performance. Portland lost in a tight game, and the PawSox will have to wait to finish their contest today because of rain. The Drive and the DSL Red Sox also took home big wins. The GCL Red Sox lost both halves of a doubleheader. 

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The Pawtucket Red Sox's contest against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) was shortened by rain with the PawSox leading 3-2. All five runs were scored in the fourth inning. The PawSox scoring began with a leadoff home run by third baseman Will Middlebrooks (Pictured). Two singles and a walk then loaded the bases with no outs for shortstop Deven Marrero, who grounded into a double play but drove in one run. A Matt Spring double drove in the final run of the inning for the PawSox. 

PawSox starter Steven Wright gave up only two hits in 3 2/3 innings pitched. He struck out one batter. The game will be continued July 24.

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Cup of Coffee: Light shines bright for Salem

7/23 Cup of Coffee: It was a rather victorious day on the farm as every team except Lowell found the winner's column. Pawtucket continued its post all-star break hot streak, Portland walked off with a victory at Hadlock Field and Salem's domination of Lynchburg was keyed by a great start on the mound

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Pawtucket completed a quick two game sweep of the Syracuse Chiefs (WAS) 9-3. Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a triple and three RBI from atop the order. Jonathan Herrera also added two hits, notching two RBI as he continued to swing a hot bat since joining the PawSox. Will Middlebrooks was 2 for 5, serving as the designated hitter. 

Matt Barnes improved to 5-7, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks, striking out a pair in 6 1/3 innings of work. Chris Hernandez notched his first career save as he tossed 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

The PawSox have now won seven straight and retain a half game lead over Rochester in the wild card standings. The victory moves Pawtucket just 3.5 games behind Syracuse for first place in the International League's North Division. 

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Players of the Week, 7/14-20: Michael Almanzar & Trey Ball

Michael Almanzar, 3B, Portland Sea Dogs - 4 G, 13 AB, 16 PA, 6 H, 1 HR, 2 2B, 4 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB/3 K, 1 SB (0 CS), .462/.562/.846

After struggling against New Hampshire (TOR) in three straight games to close out the previous period, Almanzar began to cash in on the familiarity, closing out the home series going 3 for 4 with a double and taking the show on the road  and going 4 for 10 with a double and a home run over next three games in Manchester. Since returning to the Red Sox organization and Portland the man affectionately referred to by some as Tiger Death House is batting .296/.397/.463 (16 for 54) with two home runs and three doubles in 17 games.

Season Line: 26 G, .244/.337/.419 (21 for 86), 3 HR, 6 2B, 12 R, 11 RBI, 7 BB/22 K

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Cup of Coffee: Acosta scores four in GCL Sox sweep

7/22 Cup of Coffee: It was a busy day down on the farm, with eight games on the docket. The GCL Red Sox swept a doubleheader to highlight the day. Lowell notched double-digit runs in its win, and the DSL Red Sox opened up their second-half schedule with a victory. Pawtucket and Portland had 12 hits apiece in their victories. Greenville fell following a long rain delay, and Salem dropped its contest.

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Pawtucket knocked off the Syracuse Chiefs (WAS) 4-3 when Corey Brown launched a ninth-inning home run. Brown's 14th homer of the season broke the three run tie and send the PawSox to their sixth straight victory. Mookie Betts was 2 for 5 with a double in his second game since rejoining Pawtucket. Jonathan Herrera was also 2 for 5, and has hit saftely in all nine games since he was optioned from the major league club. Carlos Rivero joined Brown going deep with a solo shot in the fifth inning.

Allen Webster retired 10 consecutive batters following a first-inning single, but ran into trouble allowing three runs in the fifth. Overall, Webster allowed the three runs on six hits in seven innings, striking out three and walking a batter. Alex Wilson fired two scoreless innings of relief., getting credit for the win.

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