Cup of Coffee: Coyle's two home runs power Salem

5/5 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket could not muster up any offense against the Durham pitching, while Portland's two runs were enough for a walk-off victory. In Salem, the usual suspects helped lead the team to a convincing win. 

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The Durham Bulls (TB) scored three runs in the first and never looked back, defeating the PawSox , 4-1. Terry Doyle allowed the first four runners to reach base, as the Bulls put two quick runs on the board. Doyle did not do himself any favors in the field, throwing a ball away that allowed a third run to score. The PawSox inched closer as Brandon Snyder launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the second, but that would be as close as they got.

Doyle recovered to allow only the three runs in five innings, and Craig Breslow added a perfect inning out of the pen. Ryan Lavarnway continued to swing a hot bat, belting his fifth double of the season. Jose Iglesias went 1 for 2 before being pulled from the game in the fifth. PawSox manager Gary DiSarcina said it was a "manager's decision". Jackie Bradley Jr. missed the game due to biceps inflammation.

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The Sea Dogs walked off with a 2-1 victory over the New Britain Rock Cats (MIN), thanks in large part to some unorthodox maneuvers from the Rock Cats manager. Sea Dogs starter Charlie Haeger allowed only one hit (a leadoff single) in five innings, but walked four in addition to his eight strikeouts. Will Latimer and Brock Huntzinger combined to shut down the Rock Cats for the final four innings to keep the Sea Dogs in the game.

Portland scored its first run in the seventh, as Tony Thomas led off with a double, moved to third on a ground out, and then scored on a fielder's choice to tie the game. In the bottom of the ninth, J.C. Linares walked, and then advanced to third thanks to two wild pitches. With nobody out, the Rock Cats intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases, but the plan quickly backfired as Kolbrin Vitek drew a walk to end the game.

Thomas went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk and Michael Almanzar was on base twice with two walks. Xander Bogaerts was a late scratch from the game, and Kevin Thomas tweeted that he had tightness in his core.

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The Salem bats came alive, slugging 10 hits to defeat the Winston-Salem Dash (CWS), 9-4. After missing the game on Friday night, Sean Coyle led off the top of the first with his eighth home run of the season. He was not done, belting a three-run home run in the second to give Salem a four run lead. Garin Cecchini tried to go toe-for-toe with him again, but fell just short, going 2 for 4 with a walk.

Henry Owens was dominant again, striking out 10 and walking three in six innings. The lone blemish was a two-run home run in the second, one of only two hits he allowed on the day. Matt Price finished the game off with three solid innings of relief. Owens improved to 3-1 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.25. He has struck out 40 batters in 32 innings.

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Player of the Day: Sean Coyle has been dealing with a bone bruise in his right thumb that has caused him to sporadically miss games, but when he has played, he has been incredibly impressive. The 21-year-old is now batting .324/.372/.789 in a league and park that notoriously suppresses power. After spending a full season in Salem last year, Coyle seems like one of the more likely candidates to be promoted early in the season.

Photo credit: Sean Coyle by Kelly O'Connor

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