Cup of Coffee: Augliera dominant in Salem victory

5/15 Cup of Coffee: All four affiliates were locked in close games on Tuesday, with Pawtucket and Salem coming out on top. Allen Webster was solid in Pawtucket's win, while Mike Augliera (pictured) was dominant for Salem. 

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Pawtucket improved to 24-15 with a 5-3 win over the Gwinnett Braves (ATL). Allen Webster threw five innings, allowing one run on three hits, while walking four and striking out five. The lone run came on a fourth-inning solo home run. On a cold night in Pawtucket, Webster threw only 49 of his 92 pitches for strikes, and his velocity was a bit lower than normal, but he was still able to have strong results despite not having his best stuff. 

Justin Henry led the PawSox, going 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Bryce Brentz went 2 for 4 and drove in two runs, and Jonathan Diaz went 2 for 3 with two doubles. Braves outfielder Jason Heyward went 2 for 3 with a walk on his rehab assignment, including a walk and a single off Webster. 

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Portland could only muster three hits, as it fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR), 3-0. The Sea Dogs first hit was a two-out single from Peter Hissey in the sixth, and Travis Shaw and Heiker Meneses added singles later to account for all of Portland's offense. New Hampshire was able to quiet the hot bats of Xander Bogaerts and Michael Almanzar, as each went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. 

Drake Britton was wild, but effective, in his five innings of work. He walked four, giving up only two runs and striking out five. It was the first time Britton has walked more than three batters in a game this year, a number he reached five times last season. 

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Thanks to good pitching and timely hitting, Salem was able to defeat the Carolina Mudcats (CLE), 2-1. Mike Augliera improved to 4-0 with six shutout innings, surrendering only three hits, while walking none and striking out four. He induced 11 ground outs to only one fly out. Augliera benefited from Deven Marrero's solid defense, as Marrero was responsible for six putouts at shortstop. 

Salem got a run in the second, as Blake Swihart singled in Keury De La Cruz, and then extended the lead to two when Matt Gedman connected on his first home run of the season in the eighth. Carolina came back in the ninth, bringing the winning run to the plate, but Nate Striz struck out the final batter to seal the victory. Swihart went 2 for 3 with a stolen base. Garin Cecchini was pulled from the game after he came up limping while chasing a foul pop-up. 

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The Asheville Tourists (COL) scored three runs in the ninth to walk off with a 9-8 victory over the Greenville Drive. Down 3-1 entering the fifth, the Drive exploded for five runs, with Tim Roberson's three-run home run being the big hit in the inning. Austin Maddox gave the lead right back, allowing three runs in the sixth to tie the game. Maddox lasted 5 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits. His ERA now sits at 8.51.

With the score still tied in the ninth, Roberson connected on a two-run double to put the Drive ahead. Asheville loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, and an error by center fielder Cody Koback allowed three runs to score to end the game. Roberson and Jayson Hernandez each had three hits, while Koback and Drew Turocy both went 2 for 5 with a double.

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Player of the Day: Mike Augliera's six shutout innings lowered his ERA to 3.12 on the season, and he has still yet to allow a home run. In his last four starts Augliera has allowed only five runs in 25 innings, holding opponents to a .226 batting average. After a rough first few starts, Augliera has adjusted well to the Carolina League and has been one of the better pitchers on Salem's roster.

 

Photo Credit: Mike Augliera by Dave Letizi

Jim Crowell is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.

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