Last inning heroics lift Portland again

5/9 Cup of Coffee: While it was deja vu Saturday night for Portland, Salem finally saw their win streak come to an end in a 33-hit, 29-run slugfest.

Kris Johnson's 2010 struggles contiuned as Pawtucket was doubled up by Charlotte (CWS) 8-4. The Knights got to Johnson early, sending him to the showers after 4.1 innings having allowed 6 runs, 5 earned on 7 hits while striking out just 2. TJ Large struck out 5 in 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, and Robert Manuel allowed a pair of runs in the eighth. Lars Anderson and Daniel Nava were two of five PawSox with 2 hits, and Anderson collected his eighth RBI since last week's promotion to Triple-A.

For the second straight night, Portland scored 3 in the top of the ninth to sneak past New Britain (MIN) 4-3. Ryne Miller put in a workmanlike performance, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned on 7 hits in 5.0 innings. Jose Iglesias scored the Sea Dogs' first run in the third before the Rock Cats scored 3 in the bottom half of the frame, and Iglesias scored the game-tying run on Chih-Hsien Chiang's two-run double in the ninth. Chiang scored the winning run on New Britain's third throwing error of the game. Ryne Lawson got the win, throwing 3.0 one-hit innings of relief. Jason Rice threw a perfect ninth for the save. Iglesias, Chiang, and Nate Spears each had a pair of hits in the win.

Salem saw their 7-game win streak snapped in a slugfest as they fell 16-13 to Winston-Salem (CWS). Salem jumped out to a 5-1 lead when Luis Segovia hit a two-run home run to follow Alex Hassan's two-run triple in the second, but the Dash charged back with 4 in the third and 3 in the fourth off Salem starter Caleb Clay, who allowed 8 earned on 10 hits in 3.1 innings. Salem hung a 6-spot in the top of the fifth, but Jeremy Kehrt gave it back in the bottom half of the frame to make it 11-11. Segovia's RBI double in the seventh put Salem ahead before Lance McClain gave up a grand slam in the eighth to put Winston-Salem up for good. Hassan, Segovia, and Federowicz each drove in three runs, while Anthony Rizzo had a double and 2 RBI in the loss.

After a tough loss Friday, Greenville rebounded to top Hickory (TEX) 5-3. Pete Ruiz started for the Drive and fanned 3 in 5.0 shutout innings. Chris McGuiness was 2 for 3 with a two-run home run and a walk, and Jeremy Halelbaker was 2 for 4 with a pair of RBI in the win. Jeremiah Bayer allowed 3 runs in 2.2 innings of relief, and Dennis Neuman allowed 3 hits and no runs in earning the save.

Player of the Night: Chih-Hsien Chiang hit a two-run ninth-inning double to tie the game at 3 before scoring the winning run in Portland's 4-3 win on a blustery night in New Britain. Chiang was 2 for 4 on the game.

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