Miller time not enough for Pawtucket in loss

6/15 Cup of Coffee: The Red Sox affiliates had some strong individual performances on Tuesday, but went just 2-3 on the day.

Pawtucket couldn’t hold on to its late inning lead, as they lost to Charlotte (CWS), 4-2, in 11 innings. The PawSox led 2-1 entering the 9th, but Hideki Okajima gave up the tying run and blew the save. The score stayed that way until the 11th, when Clevelan Santeliz imploded and gave up 2 runs. Daniel Nava and Hector Luna each went 2-5 for Pawtucket to lead the way offensively. Andrew Miller started and continued his recent string of success. Miller went 5.1 innings and allowed 5 hits and a run. He walked 1 and struck out 10. Before his start on May 29, at the behest of Pawtucket Pitching Coach Rich Sauveur, Miller began pitching 1 simulated inning before his starts, and the results have been spectacular. In 4 starts since making the change, Miller has a 1.78 ERA and a dazzling 26:3 K:BB ratio. With his opt-out option approaching, Miller’s success is certainly well timed.

Portland was outhit 15-6, but they were not outscored, as they beat Erie (DET), 5-4. The game was tied at 3-3 until the top of the 7th, when Jorge Padron belted a 2-run shot that gave the Sea Dogs the cushion they needed. Padron went 2-3 in the game with that 2-run home run. Reynaldo Rodriguez went 1-4 with a home run and 3 RBI. The homer was Rodriguez’ first since being promoted to Portland. Stephen Fife started and did not have his best performance, but gave Portland 6 solid innings to get the win. Fife allowed 10 hits and 3 runs. He walked 1 and struck out 4.

Salem managed only 3 hits in a 5-2 loss to Kinston (CLE). In fact, the team was getting no-hit until Shannon Wilkerson led off the 7th with a single. Wilkerson (1-2, 2 walks, stolen base) and David Mailman (2-4) were the only Salem Sox to collect hits. Chris Hernandez started and took the loss, dropping him to 5-4 on the season. Hernandez gave up 5 hits and 5 runs, while walking 2 and striking out 6. Mitch Herold relieved Hernandez and threw 2 perfect innings with 3 strikeouts.

Greenville used a late surge to power past Charleston (NYY), 9-3. The Drive were down 3-0 before getting 1 in the 6th and 6 in the 7th to break the game open. Miles Head lead the attack, as he went 4-5 with a double and 2 RBI. Why Head hasn’t been promoted to Salem is beyond me. He is clearly Head and shoulders above the competition in Low A Ball right now. Christian Vazquez went 2-5 with 2 RBI, while Henry Ramos and Xander Bogaerts each went 1-4 with 2 RBI. Brandon Workman started for Greenville and struggled. He lasted just 4 innings, and gave up 8 hits and 3 runs. Workman walked 1 and struck out 4. Scott Swinson and Juan Rodriguez combined for 5 scoreless innings of relief to seal the win.

The DSL Red Sox lost a wild one on Tuesday, a 10-9 affair to the DSL Mets. There were a combined 12 runs scored in the last 3 innings. The score was tied at 9-9 before Iago Januario gave up the winning run. Robert Del Rosario went 2-4 with a double, a walk and 4 RBI. Aneudis Peralta went 3-5 and Alixon Suarez went 2-4 with a walk. Edwar Garcia started for the DSL Sox. Garcia gave up 4 hits and 3 runs. He walked 3 and struck out 1. Every one of the pitchers who appeared in the game for the DSL Sox gave up at least 2 runs (Garcia, Leonel Vazquez, Ariel Cabral and Januario).

Player of the Day: Andrew Miller. Miller continued his resurgence with 5.1 great innings in Pawtucket's loss to Charlotte. He allowed 5 hits and a run, while walking just 1 and striking out 10.

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