Cup of Coffee: Cuevas, Quevedo shut down Lynchburg

4/22 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket split a doubleheader against Rochester, while Salem pitching dazzled in a 1-0 victory. Portland held on for a close win, and Greenville was swept by Lexington. 

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In game one of a doubleheader, a five-run sixth inning propelled the PawSox to an 8-1 victory over the Rochester Red Wings (MIN). Graham Godfrey received the start for Pawtucket, going four innings and allowing one run on three hits and four walks. Ryan Rowland-Smith received the victory for his two innings of relief, allowing a hit and a walk, while punching out three. Down 1-0 in the sixth, the PawSox offense awoke for five runs on a bases loaded walk to Mitch Maier, an RBI single from Drew Sutton, a Jose Iglesias double that plated two, and an RBI ground out from Jonathan Diaz. The offensive outburst continued in the seventh, as Iglesias brought home a run on an RBI ground out, and Jeremy Hazelbaker knocked in two on an RBI single. Pawtucket drew ten walks and was 4 for 10 with runners in scoring position. 

Game two was a much different story for Pawtucket, as they could only muster two hits in a 2-0 loss to Rochester. Chris Hernandez took the loss, going six innings and allowing two runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out three. Red Wings starter P.J. Walters was outstanding, tossing a complete game (seven innings) and allowing just two hits and a walk with five strikeouts. The shutout represented the first time Pawtucket was blanked this season.

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Despite a late rally, Portland was able to hold on to an 8-7 victory over the New Britain Rock Cats (MIN). Drake Britton received the start for the Sea Dogs, going 4 1/3 innings, while allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits, three walks, and two strikeouts. Miguel Celestino picked up the victory, tossing 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing a run on three hits, while striking out three. Brock Huntzinger picked up his third save despite walking three in 1 1/3 innings. Down 1-0 in the third, the Sea Dogs plated three on a Kolbrin Vitek RBI triple and a Peter Hissey RBI ground out. After the Rock Cats grabbed a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth, Portland grabbed back the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning, scoring twice on a Shannon Wilkerson RBI double, and a Xander Bogaerts RBI ground out.

In the sixth, the Sea Dogs took advantage of an error, a Hissey RBI double, and an Alberto Rosario RBI single to take an 8-4 lead. New Britain plated one in the seventh and two in the eighth to pull within a run, but stranded two in the ninth, as they were unable to complete their comeback. Every member of the Portland lineup reached base at least once, as they won their third contest in a row.

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In a true pitchers duel, Salem topped the Lynchburg Hillcats (ATL), 1-0. William Cuevas (pictured) picked up his first victory of the season, tossing five innings and surrendering just one hit and two walks, while punching out four. Heri Quevedo picked up his second save of the season, hurling four innings of relief and allowing just one walk, while striking out six. The lone run of the contest came home in the fifth, as Brandon Jacobs laced an RBI single. The two teams combined for 22 strikeouts and just six hits in the game.

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Despite a quick start, Greenville was stymied by the Lexington Legends (KC), 6-3. The Drive took advantage of two Lexington errors and an Aneury Tavarez sacrifice fly to take a 3-0 lead after a half-inning. The Legends countered with a run in the bottom of the first, eventually tying the game 3-3 in the fifth. Lexington took the lead in the sixth and added two insurance runs in the eighth to solidify the victory. The Drive had just three hits, as they went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Brian Johnson received the start for Greenville, going just 2 2/3 innings and allowing one run on two hits with five walks. Austin Maddox received the loss, hurling 4 1/3 innings, while giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and two walks, to go along with four strikeouts.

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Player of the Day: William Cuevas, who picked up his first victory of the season, tossed five shutout innings and allowed just one hit and two walks, while striking out four. The 22-year-old Cuevas has had two solid outings since a shaky season debut, pitching ten innings and allowing one run on three hits and two walks, along with 11 strikeouts.

Photo Credit: William Cuevas by William Parmeter

John Gray is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.

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