Cup of Coffee: PawSox use big 10th inning to win opener

4/5 Cup of Coffee: The minor league season officially got underway Thursday, and both Red Sox teams in action — the PawSox and Sea Dogs — played the Yankees' affiliate at their respective level, but ultimately to mixed results.

-----

The PawSox traveled to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to play the RailRiders (NYY) in a contest that proved to be a back-and-forth affair. Pawtucket came out on top by a score of 8-4, thanks to a five-run 10th inning behind the strength of four extra-base hits. Left fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker and designated hitter Justin Henry both homered in the big inning.

Right fielder Bryce Brentz (pictured) paced the team offensively, collecting three hits — two doubles — and a run scored in five at-bats. Henry (2 for 5) and first baseman Brandon Snyder (1 for 5, home run) each had a pair of RBI.

Knuckleballing right-hander Steven Wright tossed four innings, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks, while striking out five. Right-handed reliever Alex Wilson picked up the win, throwing two shutout innings that featured three strikeouts, a single hit and one walk.

-----

In Portland, the Sea Dogs blew an early lead and made five errors in an eventual 13-5 loss to the Trenton Thunder (NYY).

Second baseman Heiker Meneses matched his 2012 Double-A home run total (one in 41 games) with a three-run bomb to put Portland up, 4-3, after two. The Thunder came back with four runs in the top of the third and never looked back.

Left-hander Drake Britton took the loss, giving up seven runs, three earned, and five hits in three innings. Right-hander Daniel Bard (21 pitches, 11 strikes) yielded two earned runs on a walk and a home run in his lone inning of work.

Down on a rehab assignment while recovering from a concussion, shortstop Stephen Drew went 0 for 3 with an RBI groundout and a strikeout.

Xander Bogaerts, playing as the designated hitter with Drew at short, struck out three times in his 0 for 4 effort.

-----

Greenville was set to host the Charleston RiverDogs (NYY), but the game was rained out. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday to make up for the contest. 

Player of the Day: Bryce Brentz, Currently SoxProspects.com’s top-ranked outfielder, Brentz had a big Opening Day with three hits, including a pair of doubles. Brentz is looking to start off the season strong after an impressive 2012 performance (.290 batting average, 17 home runs, and 76 RBI).

Photo credit: Bryce Brentz by Kelly O’Connor.

Tim Healey is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @timbhealey.

Tweet