Sutton leads Pawtucket's offensive clinic

4/22 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket broke out the lumber in a big way as they continued their recent success. Elsewhere, Portland pounced on the Rock Cats while Salem and Greenville couldn’t quite put it together.

After being stopped in their quest for eight wins a row a day earlier, Pawtucket annihilated the Syracuse Chiefs (WAS) 14-0. Brandon Duckworth continued to be near perfect for the PawSox, tossing 7.0 scoreless innings while only allowing 6 hits and a walk to drop his ERA to 0.48. Clevelan Santeliz relieved Duckworth and threw 2.0 scoreless innings. Pawtucket began its run barrage in the first, plating three on a Drew Sutton RBI single and bases loaded walks to Daniel Nava and Michael McKenry. The game became a laugher in the third, as the PawSox pushed across nine runs on bases loaded walks to Nava and McKenry, RBI singles by Jose Iglesias, Lars Anderson and Nava, and a Nate Spears grand slam. McKenry added his third bases loaded walk in the seventh, which was followed up by another Iglesias RBI single to put Pawtucket in front 14-0. Every member of the lineup reached base at least once, led by Sutton’s 5 for 6 performance at the plate. Ryan Kalish had to leave the contest in the third after making a diving catch. He will be evaluated by team doctors today.

Returning home after a five game road trip, Portland got back in the win column with a 5-1 victory over the New Britain Rock Cats (MIN). Brock Huntzinger received the starting nod and pitched admirably, twirling 5.0 innings, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits. Seth Garrison and Santo Luis each contributed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief out of the Sea Dogs bullpen. Portland wasted no time getting on the board, scoring twice in the first thanks to a bases loaded walk to Ryan Lavarnway and a wild pitch that brought home Tim Federowicz. The Rock Cats trimmed the lead in half in the top of the fourth inning, but the Sea Dogs would respond in the bottom half of the frame. Alex Hassan roped an RBI double and Federowicz followed with a smash to third that was misplayed by former Red Sox farmhand Ray Chang. Lavarnway came up next and added an RBI single which gave Portland a 5-1 advantage. Federowicz and Jon Hee each had 2 hits to pace the Sea Dog offense.

Fresh off of a sweep of Lynchburg, Salem fell flat against the Potomac Nationals (WAS), falling 5-2. Tom Ebert received the spot start, going 4.0 innings, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 3 hits and a walk. Jeremiah Bayer added 4.0 innings of his own, allowing only 1 hit and a walk while striking out 4. Kendal Volz came on for the ninth, pitching a 1-2-3 inning with 2 strike outs. Down 2-0 in the third, the Red Sox cut the lead in half on Pete Hissey’s RBI single. Potomac responded with 3 in the top of the fourth to open up a 5-1 advantage. Salem tried to chip away in the eighth, getting an RBI single from Daniel Butler, but ultimately couldn’t muster a sustained rally. Kolbrin Vitek stayed hot at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Vitek is now 11 for his last 17 to bring his average to .341.

Greenville dropped into a first place tie after they were quieted by the rival Charleston RiverDogs (NYY) 5-3. Miguel Celestino picked up his first loss of the season as he tossed 4.0 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits. Charle Rosario added 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 6. Dennis Neuman finished the last 2.0 innings of the game, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 3 walks. The Drive did not get on the board until the fifth, when Sean Coyle blasted a two run home run to cut the RiverDogs lead in half at 4-2. Christian Vazquez led off the seventh with a solo home run which brought Greenville within 1. Charleston got the run back in the bottom half of the inning and quieted the beginnings of a Greenville ninth inning rally to hold on for the win. Vazquez and Brandon Jacobs each had two hits to lead the Drive offense.

Player of the Night: Drew Sutton, who went 5 for 6 with a double, RBI and 4 runs scored in Pawtucket’s battering of Syracuse 14-0.

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