Cup of Coffee: Bradley breaks out; Bogaerts heating up

4/23 Cup of Coffee: A big ninth inning powered the PawSox, a rehabbing starter and a top propsect led Portland, while Salem fell in extra innings after failing to hold an early lead. 

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After spending most of the night locked in a pitcher's duel with the Rochester Red Wings (MIN), Pawtucket broke out with a six-run ninth inning to come away with an 8-2 victory. Knotted at two, Jose Iglesias led off the inning with a single, stole second, and moved up to third on a Brock Holt fly out. After an intentional pass to Jackie Bradley Jr. (pictured), Drew Sutton ripped an RBI double to right, giving Pawtucket the 3-2 lead. Rochester loaded the bases by intentionally walking Brandon Snyder, a move that would not pay off. Ryan Lavarnway delivered a two-run double, and Bryce Brentz followed up with a two-run triple, giving the PawSox a comfortabe 7-2 lead. Pawtucket capped its rally when Brentz came home on a Mitch Maier ground out.

It was a 15-hit attack for the PawSox, led by a pair who opened the season at the major-league level in Bradley and Iglesias. The night ended a rough stretch for Bradley, the spring phenom who was 0 for his last 20 at the major-league level and started off 1 for 8 after his demotion. On Monday, the center fielder reached base four times, going 3 for 4 with a walk, a double, a run scored, and a pair of RBI. Iglesias also enjoyed a 3 for 4 night, adding two runs scored and a stolen base. Lavarnway and Sutton also chipped in with a pair of hits apiece

While he didn't stick around long enough to get the win, Terry Doyle had another strong start for Pawtucket. The two runs he allowed in his six innings of work were actually the most he has allowed in any appearance this year, as his ERA rose from 0.98 to 1.48. Oscar Villareal pitched two scoreless innings to get the win, and Chris Carpenter slammed the door by striking out the side in a perfect ninth.

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Portland broke out early in support of a rehabbing John Lackey, cruising to an 8-2 victory over the Binghamton Mets (NYM). Lackey threw 45 of his 67 pitches for strikes in 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits, striking out five, and walking two. There is no official word as of this morning whether he will make another rehab appearance or rejoin the major league club this weekend. Keith Coach followed Lackey and picked up the win, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in four innings. Couch struck out three without walking a batter. Chris Martin pitched the final 1 1/3, extending his season-opening scoreless streak to 13 1/3 innings over six appearances. .

Xander Bogaerts led the offensive charge, going 3 for 4 with a pair of runs scored. After a slow start, Bogaerts is 13 for 28 (a .464 average) in his last seven games. Michael Almanzar continued to impress, going 2 for 4 with a double, giving him 10 extra-base hits on the young season.

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Salem got out to an early 7-2 lead, but allowed the Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC) to chip away, taking a tough 10-7 loss in 10 innings. Michael McCarthy made his first start of the season after being moved into the rotation with the suspension of Mickey Pena. The right-hander allowed four runs (two earned) in five innings, striking out five without allowing a walk. Wilmington continued to cut into the lead, scoring a pair of runs off Matthew Price, one against Nefi Ogando, and three at the expense of Robby Scott, who took the loss.

It was a night of frustration at the plate for Salem. Though they scored seven early, they missed many more opportunities. Salem had a baserunner in every inning, leaving 11 on base in total and going 4 for 18 with runners in scoring position. Keury De La Cruz had a good night at the plate, going 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles, a walk, two RBI and a run scored. Nick Natoli and Felix Sanchez were on base three times apiece, both contributing two hits, a walk and a double on the night.

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Player of the Day: After a spring training where he was the talk of the baseball world, Jackie Bradley, Jr. began the regular season 4 for 39 with 14 strikeouts between the majors and Triple-A. The #2 prospect in the system started the process of turning his rough start around and appeared to be the dynamic force that he was during the spring and the 2012 season. 

Photo Credit: Jackie Bradley, Jr. by Kelly O'Connor.

James Dunne is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.

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