April 20, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Sheely drives in 3 in Salem win
4/20 Cup of Coffee: It was a low-scoring Sunday for Sox affiliates, beginning with Pawtucket, which lost to Lehigh Valley by a score of 6-2. Enrique Gonzalez (1-1) put in a good effort but took the loss, throwing 6.0 innings of two-run ball while giving up 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4. Fortune was not as kind to Chris George, who gave up 4 earned runs on 6 hits in just 1.2 innings. Robert Coello, making his first appearance for Pawtucket since being signed out of the independent Golden Baseball League last week, finished the game with 1.1 scoreless innings, striking out 1. The Red Sox managed just 6 hits in the game, with no player having more than 1, although Ivan Ochoa did manage to hit his first home run of the season in the ninth.
Junichi Tazawa wasn't as sharp as he was in his first two American starts, and Portland fell to Binghamton 4-2. The Japanese righthander threw 4.2 innings and struck out 5, giving up only 2 earned runs, but yielded 6 hits and 3 walks. Chris Province (2-2) picked up his fourth decision of the season, tossing 2.1 innings giving up 1 earned run on 1 hit and 1 walk, striking out 3 while taking the loss. Justin Hedrick pitched the final inning, giving up a solo home run. The Sea Dogs managed just 4 hits in the game, although Zach Borowiak made his a triple in his first game action of 2009.
The lone minor league bright spot for the organization came at the hands of Salem, which defeated Frederick 9-3. Dave McKae, making his Red Sox debut opposite top Orioles prospect Brian Matusz, pitched the first 3.2 innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and a walk. Derrick Loop (1-1) continued his strong start to the season to earn the win, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits and a walk while striking out 2. Josh Papelbon pitched the final 2.1 innings to earn the save, blanking the Keys on 2 hits. Right fielder Matt Sheely led the way offensively for Salem, going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, 2 steals, and a run scored. Ryan Kalish went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI a steal, and a run scored of his own, while Jason Place went 2 for 5 with 2 RBI as well.
Greenville took the lead early but gave it up late, losing 8-6 to Greensboro. Brock Huntzinger pitched the first 4.0 innings, giving up 4 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks striking out 3 but departed with the Drive leading 5-4. Fabian Williamson (0-1) wasn't any more successful in his 3.0 innings of work, surrendering 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks to take the loss. Dennis Neuman turned in the best pitching performance for Greenville, firing 2.0 scoreless innings. Anthony Rizzo went 1 for 2 with 3 walks and an RBI, while Kade Keowen went 1 for 3 with a walk, hitting his first home run of the year in the second.
Player of the Day: Matt Sheely, who went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, 2 steals, and a run scored in Salem's win over Frederick.