Cup of Coffee: Sea Dogs celebration spoiled by ex-draft pick

4/19 Cup of Coffee: It was a tough night for pitching down on the farm, as three clubs allowed double-digit runs in blowout losses, including Portland during its 20th anniversary party. Salem was able to salvage a single win for the affiliates.

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Pawtucket dropped its afternoon bout with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI), 14-5. The struggles for Rubby De La Rosa continued, as the right-hander allowed four runs in two innings, walking three and striking out one. Jeremy Kehrt had a strong outing in long relief. allowing a run on seven hits in four innings, and enabling Pawtucket to tie up the game. Lehigh Valley touched up fellow relievers Oscar Villareal, who took the loss, and Anthony Carter.

In his final rehab tuneup, David Ortiz hit a sixth inning solo home run. Ortiz will be activated by the major league club before Friday's game with the Kansas City Royals. Mitch Maier continued his hot hitting, going 2 for 4 with two doubles. Jose Iglesias also had a 2 for 4 afternoon, picking up a double as well.

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Portland began its evening with a celebration of its 20th anniversary as a franchise. Little went right for the Sea Dogs after those pregame festivities, however, as they lost 17-1 to the New Britain Rock Cats (MIN). Starter Kyle Kaminska took the loss, giving up five runs (three earned) on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings, and the barrage continued against a trio of relievers. The 21-hit barrage included a pair of doubles by longtime Sox minor farmhand Reynaldo Rodriguez.

While the Rock Cats were hot at the plate, the Red Sox could not muster any offense against Alex Meyer, netting only one hit off the big lefty in six innings. Meyer was originally taken by the Red Sox in the 20th round of the 2008 draft, but turned down $2 million to pitch for the University of Kentucky.  An eighth inning double by Xander Bogaerts scored Shannon Wilkerson and avoided the shutout. It was one of two hits for Bogaerts, who is 6 for 12 in his last three games, breaking out of an early-season slump. Meanwhile, Travis Shaw reached base four times, all by walk.

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Picking up the only win on the night, Salem routed the Lynchburg Hillcats (ATL), 8-1. Garin Cecchini (pictured) had a big night to lead the Salem offense. The third baseman reached base four times, going 2 for 3 with a home run, a double, two walks, a stolen base, and a pair of runs scored. Blake Swihart also had two hits and a stolen base.

Kyle Stroup was effective on the mound, giving up a run on six hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking two. Matthew Price made his 2013 debut in relief, entering a sixth inning jam with the bases loaded and one out. Price induced a 5-4-3 double play to the first batter he faced, escaping unscathed. In all, Price allowed only one hit in 2 2/3 shutout innings, striking out three without walking a batter. Matty Ott pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two, to close out the victory.

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The Greenville Drive were the third Boston affiliate on the wrong end of a blowout, falling, 13-2, to the Lexington Legends (KC). Frank Montas was touched up for eight runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings. Francisco Taveras was unable to slow the Legends attack in relief, giving up five runs, including a two-run home run, in his 4 1/3 innings. 

It had been an auspicious start for Greenville. Mike Miller led off the game with a single, stealing second and moving on to third on a Mookie Betts base hit. Drew Turocy was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Boss Moanaroa, who delivered a two-run single. The Drive bats went silent from that point, however, with a pair of Nick Moore singles representing the team's only two hits after the first inning.

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Player of the Day: Garin Cecchini had a huge night in Salem's victory. In five plate appearances, Cecchini reached base four times, including his first home run of 2013. The 2012 SoxProspects.com All-Star third baseman is off to a fast start, with a .326/.380/.522 line in 12 games. 

Photo Credit: Garin Cecchini by Kelly O'Connor

James Dunne is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.

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