Van Every slams Rochester in extra-innings win

4/23 Cup of Coffee:

It was a wild night for Red Sox affiliates, beginning at McCoy Stadium, where the Pawtucket Red Sox erased a five-run ninth-inning deficit to come back and win 8-7 in eleven innings. Jon Van Every, playing in the first game of a rehab assignment after injuring his ankle in spring training, went 2 for 6 and tied the game at 7 with his two-out grand slam off of Red Wings reliever Armando Gabino in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extra innings. Chip Ambres ended the game with a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eleventh. Julio Lugo, also in Pawtucket on a rehab assignment, led off and played shortstop, going 0-3 with 3 strikeouts and a walk. Making his first start since tweaking his hamstring during a workout last week, Clay Buchholz started the game on the mound for the Red Sox, pitching 5.0 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out 2. Billy Traber relieved him, allowing 3 earned runs in his inning of work. After Rocky Cherry and Jose Vaquedano each gave up an earned run in back to back innings, Daniel Bard came on to pitch a scoreless ninth, striking out the side on exactly 9 pitches. Fernando Cabrera and Chris George (1-0) each pitched a scoreless inning to set up Pawtucket's walk-off win in the eleventh.

Portland's game against New Britain was not nearly as eventful, as the Sea Dogs fell 6-4. Adam Mills (0-1) pitched the first 4.0 frames, giving up all 6 Rock Cats runs on 2 walks and 8 hits, including 2 home runs. Dustin Richardson and Bryce Cox each fired 2.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to give Portland a chance, but the offense couldn't quite come through. Jorge Jimenez led the way offensively for the Sea Dogs, going 2 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI. Bubba Bell went 2 for 4 with a double of his own and a run scored, while Ryan Khoury and Jon Still each went 1 for 3 with a double as well. Lars Anderson went 1 for 4, hitting his second home run of the year in the sixth.

In the conclusion of game two of yesterday's scheduled double header that was suspended due to rain in the third inning, Salem outlasted Wilmington 11-4 in a game that ended after 7 innings. Eammon Portice started the game Tuesday for Salem, working the first 3.0 innings giving up 1 earned run on 3 hits and a walk, striking out 3. Ryne Miller (3-0) picked things up yesterday and went 2.0 innings, giving up 1 earned run on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 3 of his own to earn the win. Kyle Fernandes pitched the final 2.0 frames before the game was called, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits and a walk. The Red Sox accumulated 12 hits, led by Aaron Reza, who went 3 for 5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. Chih-Hsien Chiang and Jason Place each went 2 for 4 with a home run, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored, while Kris Negron went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

To keep the roll going, Salem defeated Wilmington 6-4 in last night's regularly scheduled contest. Jose Capellan went the first 3.0 innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 6 hits and 3 walks, striking out 3. Josh Papelbon (1-1) came on to throw 3.1 hitless innings to earn the win, although he did walk 3 Blue Rocks and give up 1 earned run. Derrick Loop pitched the final 0.2 innings to earn the save, as this one ended after seven innings as well. Che-Hsuan Lin was the hitting star for Salem, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and a run scored out of the leadoff spot. Chih-Hsien Chiang had another good game, going 2 for 3, while Zak Farkes and Wil Vazquez each went 1 for 2 with a double and an RBI. Ryan Kalish went 0 for 3 with a walk, but did steal his fifth base of the season.

Greenville couldn't hold a late lead, giving up 2 runs in the eighth and ninth innings, and fell to Kannapolis 5-4. Casey Kelly had yet another strong start for the Drive, pitching the first 5.0 innings giving up no runs on just 2 hits and no walks, striking out 4. He has yet to allow a run on the season. Caleb Clay (0-1) finished the game for Greenville and took the loss, giving up all 5 Kannaopolis runs on 3 walks and 7 hits, including a walk-off single by Justin Greene, in 3.1 innings. The Drive managed just 5 hits in the game and scored only 2 earned runs in the defeat. David Marks was 1 for 2 with an RBI, while Jon Hee knocked in the other run, going 1 for 4.

Player of the Night: Jon Van Every, who hit a game-tying grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to help spur Pawtucket to victory.

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