August 29, 2005 at 8:52 AM
8/29 Cup of Coffee
With the final full week of minor league ball upon us, teams are vying for playoff spots. One such team is the Pawtucket Red Sox, who, despite being in third place right now, are trying to make one final push toward the top of the IL North. They helped their chances by beating Rochester on the road yesterday, 10-8. Dustin Pedroia went 2 for 6 with a double and a home run. George Lombard helped the cause by going 2 for 4 and also had a double and a home run. Not to be outdone, Shawn Wooten went 2 for 5 with a season-high five ribbies with - you guessed it- a double and home run. Marc Deschenes notched the win with three solid innings of relief. Portland helped its playoff chances by continuing its dominance over New Hampshire, as they beat the Fisher Cats 5-2 yesterday. Anibal Sanchez gave Soxprospects Nation a scare by coming out in the fourth with an injury (which later proved to be just a blister on his hand). Chris Durbin paced Portland's offensive attack with a 2 for 3 day at the plate, with a home run and a pair of ribbies. Chad Spann also chipped in with a 2 for 4 performance with a run scored. Wilmington fell to Lynchburg 9-4 at City Stadium yesterday. Scott White went 3 for 4 with a double, while Jon de Vries went 2 for 3 with a run scored, but the Rocks came up short. Scott Shoemaker took the loss after giving up eight runs in three and two-thirds innings. It took Lowell 11 innings to beat Tri-City 6-5, at LaLacheur yesterday. Jacoby Ellsbury went 3 for 5, while Jed Lowrie went 4 for 5 with a home run, four ribs, and two runs scored. Keith Foulke made his second rehab appearance, and gave up a run in his only inning of work. Ryan Phillips had a great start, going five innings, allowing only one hit, but did not factor in the decision.
Player of the Day: Jed Lowrie of Lowell, who helped the Spinners overtake the Valley Cats with a 4 for 5 day at the dish, with a home run, four bases knocked and two runs scored. Lowrie is now hitting .314 on the season.