July 18, 2012 at 6:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Shaw hits, walks Salem to comeback victory
7/18 Cup of Coffee: The affiliates had great success on Tuesday, with only Greenville and the DSL Red Sox losing their contests. A number of strong performances at the plate, as well as on the mound, helped lead Pawtucket, Portland, Salem, Lowell and the GCL Red Sox to victories.
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Juan Carlos Linares and Nate Spears each collected three hits as Pawtucket used a six run sixth inning to smoke the Syracuse Chiefs (WAS), 8-3. Ryan Lavarnway slugged his eighth home run of the season in the sixth as he looks to try and turn around an ugly .195/.283/.244 start to the month. Doug Mathis collected the victory for his 6.0 innings of work, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out three. Scott Podsednik was the lone member of the PawSox to not reach base, going 0 for 5 with a fielding error.
Juan Carlos Linares and Nate Spears each collected three hits as Pawtucket used a six run sixth inning to smoke the Syracuse Chiefs (WAS), 8-3. Ryan Lavarnway slugged his eighth home run of the season in the sixth as he looks to try and turn around an ugly .195/.283/.244 start to the month. Doug Mathis collected the victory for his 6.0 innings of work, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out three. Scott Podsednik was the lone member of the PawSox to not reach base, going 0 for 5 with a fielding error.
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Mike MacDonald, the first ever Maine native to play for the Sea Dogs, was absolutely brilliant on the mound as Portland blanked the Reading Phillies, 7-0. Collecting his first win as a member of the Red Sox organization, MacDonald tossed 7.0 innings, allowing just five hits and striking out two. MacDonald threw just 72 pitches in his outing, 50 of them for strikes. Jackie Bradley led off the game with his first Double-A home run and number two hitter Jeremy Hazelbaker went 3 for 3 with two doubles and two walks. Despite being just 3 for 17 with runners in scoring position, the Sea Dogs took full advantage of the eight walks that were issued to them by Reading pitching. Hazelbaker's big game at Hadlock field is nothing new for the speedy outfielder, who is hitting .312/.392/.578 with nine home runs and 31 RBI at home and just .180/.265/.259 with two home runs and nine RBI away from Hadlock.
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Mustering just four hits, Greenville was silenced by the Charleston Riverdogs (NYY), 5-0. Henry Owens, who was in search of victory number ten on the season tossed 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six. Jordan Weems was 2 for 3 to lead the Drive offense.
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A scoreless game turned into a clutch 3-2 victory for the Lowell Spinners over the Tri-City Valley Cats (HOU). Justin Haley was impressive in his 3.0 innings of work, allowing just one hit while striking out three. William Cuevas picked up the victory, adding 6.0 innings of relief, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk, punching out six. A scoreless game into the eighth inning, David Chester's two run home run gave the Spinners a 2-0 lead. After the Valley Cats tied the game in the bottom half of the inning, the Spinners turned two miscues into the winning run in the ninth inning. Dreily Guerrero and Jake Davies each had two hits to lead the Lowell offense.
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A late offensive push gave the GCL Red Sox a 4-3 tenth inning victory over the GCL Rays (TB). Matt Spaulding made his second professional start, hurling 2.0 innings, allowing a run on two hits. Gerardo Olivares continues to shine in relief, picking up the victory for his 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five. In his second game with the GCL squad, Nathan Minnich went 4 for 5 with a double and two RBI. Shaq Green-Thompson continued his rocky start to his professional career, going 0 for 5 with 5 strikeouts.
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For the second day in a row, the DSL Red Sox dropped a close contest to the DSL Pirates (PIT), losing 5-4 after allowing two late runs. Randy Perez made the start for the Red Sox, twirling 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and four walks. Manuel Margot was the main offensive cog for the DSL, going 2 for 4 with a triple, two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base.
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Player of the Day: Travis Shaw, who reached base five times in the Red Sox 6-4 victory over Frederick. The 2011 ninth round selection has had a breakout sophomore professional season, hitting .307/.405/.538 with 13 home runs and 66 RBI for Salem.
Photo credit: Travis Shaw by Dave Letizi