August 1, 2012 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Couch dominates Potomac as Colorado rocks Orioles
8/1 Cup of Coffee: Breathing a sigh of relief after the trade deadline came and went without many major moves, the affiliates went 5 for 6 with only Greenville struggling on a night that saw shutdown pitching performances and breakout evenings at the plate.
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Pawtucket pitching was able to hold down the rival Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees (NYY), 4-2. Zach Stewart was impressive in his 5.0 innings of work, allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight. The rehabbing Chris Carpenter picked up his second save for a scoreless ninth inning. The PawSox held an early 3-0 lead after two thanks to a Mauro Gomez RBI single and a Jason Repko two-run home run.
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Despite being outhit 7-5, Portland squeaked out a 1-0 victory over the Akron Aeros (CLE). Jason Urquidez received the start and tossed the first 5.0 innings for the Sea Dogs, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out four. Chris Balcom-Miller and Brock Huntzinger each added 2.0 innings of scoreless relief to complete the shutout. The lone run of the contest came in the sixth when Jeremy Hazelbaker scored from second on a throwing error by the Aeros second baseman. Following the game, first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez was called up to Pawtucket.
Despite being outhit 7-5, Portland squeaked out a 1-0 victory over the Akron Aeros (CLE). Jason Urquidez received the start and tossed the first 5.0 innings for the Sea Dogs, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out four. Chris Balcom-Miller and Brock Huntzinger each added 2.0 innings of scoreless relief to complete the shutout. The lone run of the contest came in the sixth when Jeremy Hazelbaker scored from second on a throwing error by the Aeros second baseman. Following the game, first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez was called up to Pawtucket.
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Big nights from Lucas LeBlanc and Christian Vazquez allowed Salem to hold on for a 5-4 Salem victory over the Potomac Nationals (WAS). Keith Couch moved to 8-8 after his stellar 6.0 inning start in which he allowed just three hits as he struck out seven. The story was much different for Pete Ruiz, who allowed three runs on six hits and a walk in just 1.1 innings of relief. Andrew Jones picked up his third save of the season as he tossed the last 1.2 innings of the game, allowing a run on three hits. The Red Sox grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third on a solo home run by Vazquez, an RBI single by Heiker Meneses and an RBI groundout from Travis Shaw. Salem padded that lead in the fifth on a LeBlanc RBI double and Shannon Wilkerson RBI single. The Nationals rallied late to pull within one but they left a runner on second in the ninth to end the game. After the game, Shaw was promoted to Double-A Portland.
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A six-run sixth inning for Charleston allowed the RiverDogs (NYY) to race past Greenville, 10-5. Luis Diaz hurled the first 5.0 innings for the Drive, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks. Kevin Brahney took the loss as he was hit hard in just 0.1 innings of work, allowing five runs on three hits and a walk. Keury De La Cruz went 2 for 4 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI while teammate Garin Cecchini went 2 for 5 with a double, run scored and an RBI to pace the Drive's offense.
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A 15-hit attack and stellar relief work allowed the GCL Red Sox to ground the GCL Orioles (BAL), 12-2. Jamie Callahan made his professional debut by tossing a scoreless first inning and striking out one. Francellis Montas picked up his first victory of the season for his 4.0 innings of relief, allowing one run on a walk and three strikeouts. The story of this one was the banner day many Red Sox hitters had at the plate. Jeremias Pineda was 4 for 4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored. Jose Colorado (pictured) was 3 for 3 with a double, three runs scored, four RBI and two walks. Third baseman Nick Moore also had a big night, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, a run scored and two RBI. Pineda finished off a blistering month of July by hitting .436/.470/.553 with nine extra base hits, 16 RBI and ten stolen bases.
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A five-run third inning was the catalyst to a DSL Red Sox 9-4 victory over the DSL Yankees2 (NYY). Keivin Heras moved to 5-1 thanks to his 5.0 inning start in which he allowed three runs on five hits and four walks. Enfember Martinez dazzled in relief, hurling 3.0 scoreless innings while striking out three. Ricardo Andujar had a big night at the plate, going 4 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Roberto Duncan smashed a solo home run in the fifth for his only hit of the contest. Andres Garcia and Manuel Margot each added two hits from the top of the lineup.
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A five-run third inning was the catalyst to a DSL Red Sox 9-4 victory over the DSL Yankees2 (NYY). Keivin Heras moved to 5-1 thanks to his 5.0 inning start in which he allowed three runs on five hits and four walks. Enfember Martinez dazzled in relief, hurling 3.0 scoreless innings while striking out three. Ricardo Andujar had a big night at the plate, going 4 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Roberto Duncan smashed a solo home run in the fifth for his only hit of the contest. Andres Garcia and Manuel Margot each added two hits from the top of the lineup.
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Player of the Day: Jose Colorado, whose four-hit performance at the plate was an integral part in the GCL Red Sox 12-2 victory. The 21-year-old outfielder has been very impressive against right-handed hurlers this season, hitting .342/.417/.493 with eight doubles, a home run and 15 RBI.
Photo credit: Jose Colorado, SoxProspects, LLC.