August 22, 2011 at 6:58 AM
Workmanlike performance leads Greenville to lone affiliate win of the day
8/22 Cup of Coffee: The affiliates took just 1 of 6 games on Sunday’s schedule, with Greenville collecting the lone win.
Pawtucket found itself in an early hole, and could not recover, losing to Syracuse (WAS), 7-4. The Chiefs scored 6 runs in the 2nd and held on, despite a comeback effort by the home team. Hector Luna led the way for the Paw Sox, as he went 3-4 with a home run and 2 RBI. Lars Anderson and Daniel Nava each went 1-4 with an RBI, while Che-Hsuan Lin went 2-4 with 2 doubles. Felix Doubront started the game and struggled mightily, retiring just 3 batters. Doubront allowed 5 hits and 6 runs over 1+ innings, walked 1 batter and struck out 2. Junichi Tazawa pitched 2.2 perfect innings of relief, striking out 3. Tazawa has yet to allow a run in 10.1 innings of work with Pawtucket.
Portland lost a back and forth affair with Binghamton (NYM), 7-6. The Sea Dogs took a 5-4 lead in the 5th after Jeremy Hazelbaker’s 3-run home run. The Mets tied the game at 5-5 in the 6th, and scored 2 runs in the 8th to give themselves a 7-5 lead that proved to be sufficient. Offensively, Portland was led by Hazelbaker (1-4, home run, 3 RBI), Reynaldo Rodriguez (3-5, solo home run) and Jon Hee (2-4, home run, 2 RBI). Brock Huntzinger toed the rubber, and surrendered 7 hits and 5 runs (4 earned) in 6 innings. Huntzinger walked 1 and struck out 11. Kyle Fernandes took the loss, as he gave up 3 hits and 2 runs in 2 innings of relief. He walked 1 and struck out 3.
Salem was doubled up in the first game of their doubleheader with Wilmington (KC), losing by a score of 6-3. The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning following Bryce Brentz’ 2-run double. Wilmington answered back with 4 runs in the 2nd and held Salem to just 1 run the rest of the way. Offensively, the Red Sox were led by Brentz (1-2, walk, double, 2 RBI) and Derrik Gibson (2-4, RBI). Ryan Pressly was the starting pitcher and took the loss. Pressly allowed 7 hits and 6 runs in 4 innings of work. He walked 4 and struck out 4.
Salem was shut out in the second game, 4-0. The team collected just 4 hits in the game, 3 of which were singles. Kolbrin Vitek went 1-2 with a walk, while Jorge Padron went 1-3 with a double. Pete Ruiz started and took the loss for Salem, despite pitching pretty well. Ruiz allowed just 2 hits and 2 runs in 5 innings pitched. He did not walk a batter and struck out 5.
Greenville found the win column for the affiliates on Sunday, defeating Savannah (NYM), 7-3. The Drive turned what had been a 4-3 game into a comfortable 7-3 lead with 3 runs in the 5th inning, highlighted by Michael Almanzar’s solo home run, his first home run since being demoted to Greenville. The Drive were led by Almanzar, who went 1-5 with that solo shot, as well as Wilfred Pichardo and Henry Ramos, who each had 3 hits and an RBI. Brandon Workman started for Greenville and earned his 4th win of the year. Workman gave up 3 hits and 3 runs in 6 innings pitched. He walked 1 and struck out 7.
Lowell lost to Staten Island (NYY) in catastrophic fashion, 16-1. Moko Moanaroa was the only noteworthy offensive performer on this night, as he went 3-4 with a solo home run. Raynel Velette started for Lowell and took the loss, though he did not pitch nearly as poorly as a 16-1 score would suggest. Velette allowed 8 hits and 4 runs in 5 innings of work. He walked 1 and struck out 3.
Player of the Day: Brandon Workman, who allowed 3 hits and 3 runs in 6 innings pitched to lead Greenville to the only affiliate win of the day.