Ramos powers GCL Sox to victory

8/19 Cup of Coffee: On a night where Portland, Salem and Greenville all lost by one, Lowell and the GCL emerged victorious thanks to key home runs.

Playing as the visiting team in its own ballpark, Pawtucket dropped game one of a doubleheader 4-1 to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI). Kris Johnson picked up his twelfth loss of the season for his 5.2 inning effort, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. Chad Paronto recorded the final out of the sixth inning. The PawSox recorded their only run of the contest in the second on Jeremy Hermida's RBI single. Hermida was 2 for 2 to lead the Pawtucket offense.

Game two saw Pawtucket avenge their earlier defeat, nipping the IronPigs 2-0. In a game the only saw five hits, it was Hermida's two run home run in the fifth that was the difference. Ramon A. Ramirez was brilliant in his 5.0 innings of work, allowing just one hit and striking out 3. Dustin Richardson and Robert Manuel each provided a scoreless inning of relief. Yamaico Navarro was 2 for 2 with 2 doubles to lead the Pawtucket offense.

Portland came out on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel, falling to the Altoona Curve (PIT) 1-0. Portland recorded just three hits, all doubles, and was unable to muster any viable threats. Blake Maxwell went the first 6.0 innings, allowing just 2 hits. Eammon Portice was the tough luck loser, allowing the lone Altoona run on 3 hits during his 2.0 innings of relief. Jason Rice added a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

In game one of a scheduled doubleheader, Salem lost a heartbreaking 4-3 decision to the Winston-Salem Dash (CHW) in 14 innings. The Red Sox collected all of their runs in the third on RBI singles by Peter Hissey and Will Middlebrooks and an RBI double by Alex Hassan. The Red Sox had great chances to score in both the 10th and 13th but were unable to push across a run. Caleb Clay tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, Cesar Cabral added 3.0 scoreless frames, and Patrick Ryan added 4.0 scoreless innings as part of a bullpen game for the Red Sox. Lance McClain allowed 3 runs on 5 hits in his 2.0 innings and Will Latimer picked up the loss for his 2.2 innings in which he allowed 1 run on 2 hits and a walk.

The second game of the doubleheader was suspended in the third inning due to rain. The Red Sox are up 1-0 and the game will continue this evening.

Greenville was haunted by costly errors as they were nipped by the Lexington Legends (HOU) 4-3. Pete Ruiz was stellar in his 6.0 inning start, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits while striking out 7. Pedro Perez picked up the loss for his 2.0 innings of relief, allowing an unearned run on 1 hit and 2 walks. Down 1-0 in the fifth, the Drive plated two runs on a Ken Roque RBI double and a throwing error by the Lexington pitcher. Michael Almanzar added the only other Greenville drive in the sixth on his solo home run. Almanzar's throwing error in the eighth, his 34th of the season, allowed the decisive run to score.

Lowell returned from the All-Star break with a 4-3 victory over the Vermont Lake Monsters (WAS). Hunter Cervenka went the first 4.0 innings, allowing just 2 hits but adding 5 walks. Charle Rosario followed with 2.0 innings of relief, allowing 3 runs (1 earned) on 4 hits and a walk. Ryne Miller picked up the win for his 2.0 scoreless innings. Michael Hacker earned his third save for a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Spinners picked up two runs in the third on a bases loaded walk to Brandon Jacobs and an RBI ground out by Miles Head. Bryce Brentz gave Lowell a 3-0 lead in the fifth as he smoked a solo home run. A muffed catch in the outfield gave the Spinners their decisive run in the sixth. Felix Sanchez was 3 for 5 from the top of the order to lead the Lowell offense.

The GCL Red Sox scared away the GCL Orioles 6-1. Jason Garcia picked up his first professional victory for his 5.0 scoreless innings during which he allowed just 4 hits and struck out 5. Swen Huijer followed Garcia with 2.2 innings of relief, allowing an unearned run on 3 hits and 2 walks. Justin Erasmus picked up his 10th save by twirling the final 1.1 innings. The game was scoreless until the fifth when Henry Ramos knocked an RBI triple and Kendrick Perkins added a sacrifice fly to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead. Trygg Danforth's RBI double in the sixth extended the Red Sox lead to 3-0. The Red Sox opened up the game in the ninth, plating three on a Ramos home run.

Player of the Night: Henry Ramos, who was 2 for 4 with a triple, a home run, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI to lead the GCL Red Sox to a 6-1 victory.

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