August 11, 2011 at 6:00 AM
Vazquez clubs Greenville to third win in a row
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Pawtucket could not follow up on their doubleheader sweep and hold back the Charlotte Knights (CHW) as they fell, 8-5. Brandon Duckworth tossed 6.2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2. Royce Ring received the loss for his 1.1 innings of relief, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, collecting one strikeout. A Ryan Lavarnway sacrifice fly and a Lars Anderson RBI single gave Pawtucket a 2-0 advantage after one. With the game tied in the fifth, Anderson knocked in his second run of the day on another RBI single, giving the PawSox a 3-2 lead. Down 5-3 in the sixth, the PawSox pulled within one on a wild pitch. In the seventh, Daniel Nava’s solo home run tied the game, 5-5. Charlotte put together a two out rally in the eighth, scoring three runs to claim the 8-5 victory. Nate Spears was 3 for 5 with 2 doubles to lead the Pawtucket offense.
A day after scoring 9 runs, Portland could not compile any offense in a 3-0 loss to the Akron Aeros (CLE). Brock Huntzinger dropped to 5-10 on the season as he hurled 5.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits and 2 walks, striking out 5. Josh Fields added 2.0 innings of relief, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks, striking out 2. Cesar Cabral contributed 1.1 innings out of the Sea Dogs bullpen, allowing an unearned run on 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 3. Portland hitters struck out 15 times and mustered just one extra base hit.
Despite outhitting their opponents 14-4, Salem lost a heartbreaking 6-5 contest to the Potomac Nationals (WAS). Ryan Pressly received the start for Salem, tossing 5.0 innings, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 4 walks while striking out 1. Michael Gleason added 3.0 innings of work, allowing 1 run on 2 walks, striking out 2. Tom Ebert received the loss, pitching 0.2 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and 2 walks. RBI singles by Peter Hissey and Bryce Brentz in the third gave Salem a 2-0 lead. Down 4-2 in the fourth, the Red Sox moved to within one on Josue Peley’s RBI single. After Potomac added another run in the sixth to take a 5-3 lead, Salem plated a singular run in both the seventh and eighth inning on solo home runs from Brentz and Shannon Wilkerson to tie the game, 5-5. The Nationals received the game winning hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, walking off with the win. Brentz and Wilkerson each had 3 hits to lead the Red Sox offense.
Steady pitching and a productive middle of the lineup pushed Greenville past the Savannah Sand Gnats (NYM), 7-2. Kyle Stroup hurled 6.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 6 to pick up the victory. Scott Swinson added 1.0 inning of scoreless relief, striking out 1. Jordan Flasher tossed the final 2.0 innings for the Drive, allowing just 1 hit and striking out 3. Christian Vazquez’s RBI double in the first gave Greenville a 1-0 lead. Down 2-1 in the third, Vazquez roped his second double of the contest, plating two and giving the Drive a 3-2 advantage. In the fifth, Vazquez recorded his third RBI double of the game and Henry Ramos added an RBI triple to put Greenville out in front, 6-2. The Drive’s final run of the game was gifted to them by a two out error by the Savannah third baseman. Greenville’s 2-5 hitters were a combined 8 for 16 with 6 extra base hits and 6 RBI while the rest of the lineup was 0 for 20.
Lowell’s contest against the Hudson Valley Renegades (TB) was suspended in the top of the third inning due to rain with the game tied 2-2. The Spinners received a two run home run from Tim Roberson in the second inning. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader this evening.
The GCL Red Sox game against the GCL Rays (TB) was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.
An early display of offense was enough for the DSL Red Sox to strike down the DSL Mets2 (NYM), 6-2. Jeffry Fernandez received the start for the Red Sox and tossed 1.0 inning, allowing 1 hit and striking out 1. William Abreu picked up his first professional victory for his 4.0 innings of work, allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 2 hits and 3 walks, striking out 6. Leonel Vazquez notched his second save for his 4.0 innings of relief, allowing just 2 hits and a walk while striking out 3. With the game scoreless in the second, the Red Sox brought home four runs on a Roberto Duncan RBI single and a three run home run from Jeremias Pineda. In the third, Jair Bogaerts laced a 2 RBI double to put the Red Sox in front 6-0. The Mets scratched out two runs in the fifth, but both offenses remained quiet the rest of the contest.
Player of the Night: Christian Vazquez, who was 3 for 5 with 3 doubles, a run scored and 5 RBI in Greenville’s 7-2 victory over Savannah.