Cup of Coffee: Ranaudo tosses five no-hit innings in Portland win

4/16 Cup of Coffee: Portland pitchers took a no-hitter into the seventh, leading the Sea Dogs to the system's only win of the evening. Pawtucket failed to hold a late lead, while the bats struggled for Salem and Greenville.

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The PawSox got a solid start from Allen Webster, but could not hold on for the win, falling, 8-3, to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI). The loss halted Pawtucket's five game winning streak. Webster allowed just one run on five hits in his five innings of work, striking out seven without walking a batter. SoxProspects.com Managing Editor Matt Huegel was in attendance at McCoy Stadium, and he reported Webster threw 84 pitches, 55 for strikes, and topped out at 95 with his fastball. Webster's most impressive inning was the third, when he struck out the side on two sliders and a changeup. 

Oscar Villareal was solid in relief of Webster, striking out two and walking two in his two hitless innings. Chris Carpenter followed and struggled mightily, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and a pair of walks in his only inning to take the loss. The IronPigs added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth with a two-run homer off Anthony Carter.

All of the Pawtucket scoring came in the third, when Mark Hamilton delivered a bases loaded single up the middle, extending his team-leading RBI total to 12.

David Ortiz, scheduled to start at designated hitter, was a late scratch due to pain in his left heel, according to manager Gary DiSarcina. He will be re-evaluated today.

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A pair of pitchers looking for redemption after lost 2012 seasons combined for six innings of no-hit baseball for Portland, leading the Sea Dogs to a 7-4 victory over the Binghamton Mets (NYM). Anthony Ranaudo (pictured) was dominant in his first victory since last June, allowing only two baserunners in his five innings of work, walking one and hitting a batter. The big right-hander struck out six, induced four ground outs, and did not allow a ball out of the infield until the fourth inning. Daniel Bard followed with a hitless sixth inning, walking one. Binghamton broke through with its first hit in the seventh against Pete Ruiz.

At the plate, Michael Almanzar continued his strong start to 2013, going 2 for 5 with a pair of RBI, one coming on a ninth inning solo home run. Tony Thomas also went deep for the Sea Dogs, and Peter Hissey had a 3 for 4 night. Top prospect Xander Bogaerts continued to struggle, going 0 for 4 with a walk. Bogaerts is currently in a 1 for 19 skid.

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Salem dropped the first of a three game set to the Potomac Nationals (WAS) by a 7-2 decision. Deven Marrero continued to impress, reaching base three times with a single and a pair of walks, raising his on-base percentage to .405. A sixth inning single by Garin Cecchini extended his hitting streak to seven games. 

On the mound, William Cuevas rebounded from a difficult Salem debut to turn in a solid outing, giving up a run on only two hits in five innings and striking out seven without issuing a walk. Heri Quevedo took the loss in relief, allowing four runs (three earned) in one inning of work.

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Greenville mustered only four hits in a 6-0 loss to the West Virginia Power (PIT). Two of the four hits belonged to Jose Vinicio. Starter Justin Haley took the loss, despite not allowing a hit. Haley's control eluded him, as he walked six, allowing two runs in 3 2/3 innings. Jason Garcia struggled out of the bullpen, giving up four runs on seven hits in 3 1/3, walking four and hitting a batter to go with three strikeouts. 

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Player of the Day: Following his solid 2013 debut last week, Anthony Ranaudo was magnificent in his encore, striking out six during five no-hit innings of work. Across two starts, he has given up just one run on five hits in 10 innings, striking out 12 and walking only 2. Ranaudo continues to leave a lost 2012 season in the distance, during which he was ineffective before getting shut down with shoulder fatigue after 37 2/3 innings. 

Photo Credit: Anthony Ranaudo by Kelly O'Connor

James Dunne is a Staff Writer at SoxProspects.com.

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