May 20, 2013 at 8:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Henry, Diaz propel Pawtucket to blowout victory
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A marquee pitching matchup turned into a lopsided victory for Pawtucket, as they pummeled the Indianapolis Indians (PIT), 11-3. Allen Webster moved to 3-0, tossing 5 2/3 innings and allowing one run on one hit and five walks, while striking out seven.
Down 1-0 in the fourth, the PawSox got to Indians starter Gerrit Cole, plating three runs on a Jonathan Diaz RBI triple and a run-scoring balk. Justin Henry's RBI double in the fifth gave Pawtucket a 4-1 advantage. The PawSox opened up the game in the sixth, bringing home five runs on a Diaz RBI single, Jose Iglesias and Brock Holt sacrifice flies, and a Henry RBI double. The teams traded a pair of runs in the eighth, as Pawtucket wrapped up the 11-3 victory.
Henry and Diaz each had two hits and three RBI to lead the Pawtucket offense. Chris Martin added two innings of scoreless relief. The right-hander has yet to allow a run in 26 innings pitched this season.
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Taking full advantage of Portland's miscues, the Binghamton Mets (NYM) tamed the Sea Dogs, 8-5. Drake Britton struggled through 5 2/3 innings of work, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks, while striking out four. Pete Ruiz allowed two unearned runs on two hits in his lone inning of relief.
Down 3-0 in the third, the Sea Dogs tied the game on a throwing error, a Xander Bogaerts RBI single, and a Michael Almanzar sacrifice fly. In the fifth, Portland took the lead, as Peter Hissey scampered home on a wild pitch. The Mets regained the lead for good in the six, plating three runs to go ahead 6-4. Bogaerts added an RBI double in the seventh, but Binghamton plated two in the ninth on a costly fielding error by Tony Thomas.
Down 3-0 in the third, the Sea Dogs tied the game on a throwing error, a Xander Bogaerts RBI single, and a Michael Almanzar sacrifice fly. In the fifth, Portland took the lead, as Peter Hissey scampered home on a wild pitch. The Mets regained the lead for good in the six, plating three runs to go ahead 6-4. Bogaerts added an RBI double in the seventh, but Binghamton plated two in the ninth on a costly fielding error by Tony Thomas.
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A tumultuous ninth inning allowed the Frederick Keys (BAL) to steal a 6-4 victory over Salem. Mike Augliera received a no-decision for his five innings of work, allowing three runs on 10 hits and a walk, while striking out two.
Down 3-0 in the fourth, the Red Sox tied the game on RBI singles from Blake Swihart and Carson Blair. In the fifth, Garin Cecchini's two-out RBI single gave Salem a 4-3 advantage. That lead would hold until the ninth, when the Keys rallied for three runs off Red Sox reliever Nate Striz. Salem brought the winning run to the plate in the ninth, but was unable to muster a comeback.
Blair and Matty Johnson each had two hits to lead the Red Sox offense.
Down 3-0 in the fourth, the Red Sox tied the game on RBI singles from Blake Swihart and Carson Blair. In the fifth, Garin Cecchini's two-out RBI single gave Salem a 4-3 advantage. That lead would hold until the ninth, when the Keys rallied for three runs off Red Sox reliever Nate Striz. Salem brought the winning run to the plate in the ninth, but was unable to muster a comeback.
Blair and Matty Johnson each had two hits to lead the Red Sox offense.
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Late-inning relief problems sunk Greenville, as the Drive lost to the Charleston RiverDogs (NYY), 9-7. Austin Maddox received the start for the Drive, hurling 4 2/3 innings and allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out three.
Down 1-0 in the first, Greenville brought home three runs in the bottom half of the inning on a Drew Turocy RBI double, David Chester RBI single, and a Tim Roberson sacrifice fly. After the RiverDogs tied the game in the fourth, Greenville took the lead back in the bottom half of the inning on a Bryan Johns solo home run. The Drive found itself down 6-4 in the fifth, but regained the lead on a RBI single from Johns and a Jose Vinicio RBI double. Johns was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning, cutting down another potential run.
Charleston tied the game in the eighth, taking advantage of a key error from Mookie Betts. The comeback was completed in the ninth, when the RiverDogs hit a two-run home run to sink Greenville to 13-30 on the season.
Down 1-0 in the first, Greenville brought home three runs in the bottom half of the inning on a Drew Turocy RBI double, David Chester RBI single, and a Tim Roberson sacrifice fly. After the RiverDogs tied the game in the fourth, Greenville took the lead back in the bottom half of the inning on a Bryan Johns solo home run. The Drive found itself down 6-4 in the fifth, but regained the lead on a RBI single from Johns and a Jose Vinicio RBI double. Johns was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning, cutting down another potential run.
Charleston tied the game in the eighth, taking advantage of a key error from Mookie Betts. The comeback was completed in the ninth, when the RiverDogs hit a two-run home run to sink Greenville to 13-30 on the season.
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Player of the Day: Justin Henry, who was 2 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI in Pawtucket's 11-3 victory over Indianapolis. Henry, 28, is in his first season with the Red Sox organization after spending the previous six seasons as a member of the Detroit Tigers system. Henry has hit .297/.366/.383 with a home run and 16 RBI in 34 games this season.
Photo Credit: Justin Henry by Kelly O'Connor.
John Gray is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.