Cup of Coffee: Cecchini stays hot, pitching falters

4/27 Cup of Coffee: All four affiliates took losses on Friday night. Collectively, all four pitching staffs surrendered 28 earned runs. There were some silver linings to go around, though, including Salem third basemen Garin Cecchini's (pictured) fourth consecutive two-hit game.

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The Pawtucket Red Sox lost to the Buffalo Bison (TOR), 8-4, Friday night in Buffalo.  The Bison scored six unanswered runs off PawSox pitching after the team took a 4-2 lead in the top of the third inning. PawSox starter Chris Hernandez lasted five innings, giving up eight hits, one walk and four earned runs. Reliever Oscar Villarreal, who gave up two runs in two innings, was tagged with the loss.

All of the PawSox offense came early in the contest, including RBI base hits from Jose Iglesias and Bryce Brentz. Brentz collected his fourth and fifth hits of the four-game stint, going 2 for 3 with a double.

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SeaDogs right-hander Matt Barnes surrendered six earned runs and 11 hits, as Portland lost to the Trenton Thunder (NYY), 6-3.  Barnes, who has struggled early on this season, lasted only 4 2/3 innings in the contest. Following Barnes on the mound was right-hander Keith Couch, who struck out five in two hitless innings of work. 

Offensively, the SeaDogs were led by designated hitter Tony Thomas, who collected all three RBI for Portland. Thomas picked up his first RBI in the game on a double in the first inning that scored Travis Shaw from first base. In the fifth, Thomas hit a one-out triple that scored Shaw and Helker Meneses. 

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In what ended up being the most tightly contested game on Friday, the Salem Red Sox fell to the Lynchburg Hillcats (ATL), 6-3.  Entering the ninth inning, Salem was down 3-1 until the Hillcats exploded for three runs in the top of the frame. Salem was able to get back two runs in the bottom of the inning off Garin Cecchini's triple and a wild pitch, but ultimately it wasn't enough. 

Cecchini collected two hits for the fourth consecutive contest and is hitting .414 in his last eight games. Also contributing offensively was Brandon Jacobs, who picked up his fourth double of the season.

On the bump for Salem, starter William Cuevas pitched five innings, surrendering three runs on five hits. Reliever Heri Quevedo pitched 3 2/3 innings in relief, giving up three runs, while striking out five.

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The Greenville Drive were walloped by the Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL), 10-3, on Friday evening.  The Drive, who collected only six hits in the game, surrendered the lead early, giving up three runs in the first inning.  Drive starter Justin Haley gave up five earned runs in his 3 2/3 innings of work. 

At the top of the Drive order, second basemen Mookie Betts carried over his patience from Thursday's contest by drawing three walks in five plate appearances. On Thursday, Betts scored four runs on four walks. Boss Moanaroa collected the lone extra-base hit for the Drive, which was a seventh-inning RBI double that scored Cody Koback.

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Player of the Day: SeaDogs designated hitter Tony Thomas collected two extra-base hits and three RBI for Portland in their 6-3 loss to Trenton. Thomas, who spent 2012 in Pawtucket, hit fifth in the lineup and is hitting .230 with 15 RBI on the season.

Photo Credit: Garin Cecchini by Kelly O'Connor. 

Luke Lavoie is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on twitter @LukeALavoie.

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