Wilson impresses in Salem victory

4/29 Cup of Coffee: Wednesday night saw Pawtucket engaged in a close battle, Portland getting lackluster pitching performances and Salem with a nearly perfect start, as the affiliates went 1-2 on the evening.

While the PawSox would pound out 11 hits, a disappointing start by Michael Bowden and a late inning collapse allowed the Indianapolis Indians (PIT) to beat Pawtucket 10-9. Bowden, making his fourth start of the season, was hit early and often, allowing 7 runs on 5 hits in his 4.2 innings of work. The Pawtucket offense scored four in the second as Bubba Bell and Ryan Khoury laced RBI singles, and a bases loaded walk to Angel Sanchez plated the fourth run. Indianapolis would strike back for two in the top of the third, but Pawtucket would answer with five in the bottom of the frame. RBI singles by Bell, Daniel Nava, and Sanchez plated three, while a costly error by the Indians allowed two more to score, giving Pawtucket an early 9-3 advantage. Indianapolis scored four in the fifth and one in the sixth to bring the score to 9-8. Pawtucket would take this lead to the ninth as Fernando Cabrera came on to attempt the save. The game slipped away when the Indians took advantage of a passed ball by Dusty Brown and a key error by Nava to score two and take the 10-9 lead. Pawtucket made it interesting in the ninth, but Bell was picked off as he started toward second base to kill a potential rally. Bell, Khoury and Jorge Jimenez each had two hits to lead the offense.

Pitching proved to be problematic for Portland in its 9-3 loss to the Binghamton Mets (NYM). Starter Casey Kelly had a rough first inning, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, on his way to picking up his first loss of the season. Kelly would go the first 2.1 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits and striking out 3. Things didn't get much better once Kelly exited, as Eammon Portice and TJ Large allowed three runs each in their combined 4.2 innings of work. Portland's only scoring came in the sixth when they plated three, scoring on a wild pitch, a bases loaded walk to Luis Exposito and an RBI single by Che-Hsuan Lin. Lin was 3 for 4 on the evening to lead the Portland offense, and Jose Iglesias went 2 for 4 with a double.

While pitching failed Pawtucket and Portland, Salem got a dazzling start by Alex Wilson to capture a close 2-1 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC). Wilson was nearly perfect in his 5.0 innings of work, allowing just 1 hit and 1 walk while striking out 6. The Red Sox scored their lone runs of the contest on a Will Middlebrooks RBI double in the sixth. The Blue Rocks staged a rally in the ninth, scoring one and loading the bases before Lance McClain struck out the final two batters to pick up his second save. Mitch Herold picked up his second victory of the season, pitching 3.0 flawless innings.

Player of the Night: Alex Wilson, who tossed 5.0 sparkling innings, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 6 in Salem's 2-1 victory.

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