Regular season comes to a close as Greenville comes up just short of the playoffs

9/6 Cup of Coffee: On the final day of the regular season, Red Sox affiliates took 3 of 4 games, though Greenville's win was not enough to get them into the playoffs.

Pawtucket beat Rochester (MIN), 7-3, ending the season with a division title and as the only Red Sox affiliate to make the playoffs. The Paw Sox put up 4 runs in the 2nd inning, including home runs by Will Middlebrooks and Dan Butler, to open up the scoring. That would prove to be enough for the win, though 3 insurance runs were added in the 5th. Offensively, Pawtucket was led by Middlebrooks and Butler, as each added a home run, while Middlebrooks drove in 2 runs and Butler drove in 3. Greg Smith got the start and pitched well enough to earn his 5th win. Smith allowed 3 hits and 2 runs in 6 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 4.

Portland was soundly defeated by New Hampshire (TOR), 8-3, and ended the season at the bottom of the Eastern League standings. The Sea Dogs had just 6 hits in this one. The team was led by Oscar Tejeda (2-4, solo home run) and Jeremy Hazelbaker (1-4, home run, 2 RBI). Caleb Clay started for Portland and took the loss. Clay pitched just 1 inning, and allowed 5 hits and 5 runs. He walked 1 and struck out 1.

Salem took care of Myrtle Beach (ATL), 10-3, ending their season on a good note. Salem scored 3 runs in the 2nd and then opened the game wide open by plating 7 in the 4th, which included a grand slam by Pete Hissey and a 3-run homer from Matt Spring. Those two led the team offensively, with Hissey going 1-5 with a homer and 5 RBI, and Spring going 2-5 with a home run and 3 RBI. The offensive output was more than enough for Stolmy Pimentel. Pimentel pitched 7 innings, scattering just 2 hits and 2 runs. He walked 1 and struck out 4.

Greenville beat Hickory (TEX), 11-4, though it was not enough to get into the playoffs, thus ending the season of one of the more exciting affiliates. The Drive certainly went out in style, as they pounded out all 11 runs in the first 5 innings. Sean Coyle had a career day, as he went 3-5 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI. Also contributing to the cause were Felix Sanchez (3-4, walk, 2 RBI) and David Renfroe (2-5, solo home run). Sanchez also added his 55th stolen base of the season, which led the South Atlantic League by a wide margin (the 2nd place finisher, Anthony Hewitt, had 36). Miguel Celestino started for Greenville and picked up his 10th win of the season. Celestino allowed 9 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) in 5 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out 3.

Player of the Day: Sean Coyle, who went 3-5, slugged 2 home runs and drove in 7 runs as Greenville hammered Hickory to close out the season.

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