Cup of Coffee: Workman, Montas dominate; Pat Light debuts with Lowell

7/10 Cup of Coffee: It was an excellent night for pitching in the Red Sox system, as Salem's Brandon Workman tossed a one-hitter over six innings in a win, Keivin Heras continued to roll in the DSL, while the GCL Sox lost despite tossing a one-hitter, highlighted by four no-hit innings by Frank Montas. Supplemental first-round pick Pat Light was unable to to stop Lowell's losing streak.

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Portland heads into the All-Star break with a loss, managing only one hit as they were downed by the Trenton Thunder (NYY), 3-0. The Sea Dogs bats were no match against rehabbing Yankee David Phelps, with Jeremy Hazelbaker getting Portland's only hit, a one-out double in the top of the first inning. After a walk to Reynaldo Rodriguez later that inning, Trenton pitching went on to retire the final 25 consecutive batters. Jackie Bradley's on-base streak came to an end at 14 games with his 0 for 4 afternoon. Caleb Clay, making the spot start to give some extra rest to Stolmy Pimentel, took the loss, giving up two runs on solo home runs in 2.1 innings.

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Brandon Workman (pictured) tossed a gem for Salem, leading them to a 7-0 victory over the Frederick Keys (BAL). In his 6.0 shutout innings, the only hit Workman allowed was a second inning single. He struck out a season-high nine batters while walking two to pick up his seventh win of the year. Andrew Jones completed the shutout, throwing 3.0 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out one without walking a batter. Travis Shaw provided the early offense, with an RBI single in the first followed by his 13th homer of the year, a two-run shot in the third to give Salem a 3-0 lead. The performance moved Shaw into a tie with Keys first baseman Frank Baker for the Carolina League lead in RBI with 66. Michael Almanzar and Christian Vazquez added back to back solo home runs in the eighth, while Heiker Meneses continued to swing a hot bat, going 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles and two runs scored. For Almanzar, the blast extended his hitting streak to six games and his on-base streak to fifteen.

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The much-anticipated debut of right-handed pitcher Pat Light, the Red Sox supplemental first round pick taken 37th overall from Monmouth, was not enough to stop Lowell's losing streak from hitting 11 games. The Spinners fell 10-2 to the Batavia Muckdogs (STL). Light got the start, allowing two runs on five hits in his 2.0 innings of work, striking out one and walking one, taking the loss. The Lowell offense mustered only five hits, including a solo home run by first baseman David Chester, and a double by top pick Deven Marrero.

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The GCL Red Sox lost a 1-0 decision to the GCL Orioles despite the fact their three pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter. Frank Montas, JB Wendelken and Carlos Pinales did not allow a hit until a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Montas was fantastic, tossing 4.0 no-hit innings, striking out four and walking two. According to SoxProspects.com forum contributor Steve of Charlotte, in attendance for the game, Montas was sitting at 97 with his fastball and touched 100 with it eight times.Wendleken, a 13th-round pick, made his professional debut with a perfect fifth inning, striking out two batters with a 4-3 groundout sandwiched in between. Carlos Pinales took the tough luck loss, giving up only the one fateful hit in his 3.0 innings of work, striking out five without issuing a walk. The Sox offense was punchless, managing only three singles on the evening. 18th round pick Shaq Green-Thompson continued to struggle in his first go-around in pro ball. He struck out in each of his three at bats, falling to 0 for 21 with 20 strikeouts on the season.

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Keivin Heras continued his solid pitching for the DSL Red Sox, leading them to a 4-1 win over the DSL Mets2. Heras allowed a run on one hit in his 3.0 innings of work, a performance that raises his ERA to 0.84 through his first seven starts. The bullpen shined as well, with three pitchers combining on six shutout innings. Edwin Osorio picked up the win, allowing only one hit while walking and striking out one apiece, Emfember Martinez struck out two in 3.0 perfect innings of work, and Leonel Vasquez earned the save, pitching the ninth and allowing one hit while striking out one. Patience was a virtue on offense, as the Red Sox accumulated nine walks, including four by Robert Del Rosario. Andres Garcia went 2 for 4 with a walk and two RBI, while Roberto Duncan had a busy night, going 2 for 2 with three runs scored, a double, a sacrifiace and was hit by a pitch. 

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Player of the Day: 2010 second-round pick Brandon Workman had his best start as a member of the Red Sox, striking out nine in 6.0 innings of one-hit shutout ball, continuing his excellent sophomore season in the organization. It was the sixth consecutive start that Workman went at least six innings, as he lowered his ERA to 2.94. In 82.2 innings on the year, he has struck out 75 while walking only 17.

Photo credit: Brandon Workman by Kelly O'Connor.

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