June 24, 2013 at 6:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: PawSox cruise on backs of Aceves, Bogaerts
-----
A 12-hit offensive charge plus eight solid innings from Alfredo Aceves propelled Pawtucket to a 7-2 victory over the Toledo Mud Hens (DET). Aceves improved to 3-1, allowing a run on five hits and a walk while punching out seven. Chris Martin allowed a run on two hits in his lone inning of relief.
With the teams deadlocked 1-1 in the fifth, the PawSox bats came to life. Back-to-back solo home runs from Alberto Rosario and Jackie Bradley Jr. put Pawtucket on top 3-1. Bryce Brentz crushed a two-out, two-run home run to give the PawSox even more cushion. Xander Bogaerts provided the rest of the offense for Pawtucket, collecting an RBI single in the seventh, and lofting a solo home run in the ninth.
Five PawSox had multiple hits, led by Drew Sutton who went 3 for 5 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
With the teams deadlocked 1-1 in the fifth, the PawSox bats came to life. Back-to-back solo home runs from Alberto Rosario and Jackie Bradley Jr. put Pawtucket on top 3-1. Bryce Brentz crushed a two-out, two-run home run to give the PawSox even more cushion. Xander Bogaerts provided the rest of the offense for Pawtucket, collecting an RBI single in the seventh, and lofting a solo home run in the ninth.
Five PawSox had multiple hits, led by Drew Sutton who went 3 for 5 with a double, RBI and two runs scored.
-----
After struggling with runners on base a day prior, Portland collected 17 hits on the way to an 11-0 romping of the Trenton Thunder (NYY). Matt Barnes tossed five shutout innings, allowing just three hits, walking five and striking out eight. Miguel Celestino added three innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit while striking out four.
The offense was led by Tony Thomas, who went 4 for 5 with a run scored and three RBI. Kolbrin Vitek knocked in a pair of runs, going 2 for 5 with a double. Peter Hissey and Heiker Meneses each were 3 for 5 with three runs scored.
The victory moves Portland in to a tie for second place in the Eastern Division with Trenton, eight games behind first place Binghamton (NYM).
The offense was led by Tony Thomas, who went 4 for 5 with a run scored and three RBI. Kolbrin Vitek knocked in a pair of runs, going 2 for 5 with a double. Peter Hissey and Heiker Meneses each were 3 for 5 with three runs scored.
The victory moves Portland in to a tie for second place in the Eastern Division with Trenton, eight games behind first place Binghamton (NYM).
-----
Salem's quick offensive start was enough for them to hold on to a 4-3 victory over the Wilmington Blue Rocks (KC). William Cuevas hurled seven solid innings, allowing a run on three hits and a walk, striking out four.
The Red Sox took a quick 3-0 lead in the first as Tim Roberson hit a three-run home run. Deven Marrero gave Salem a 4-0 lead in the third after he scampered home on a wild pitch. Prior to the wild pitch, Marrero and Keury De La Cruz successfully pulled off a double steal.
The Blue Rocks rallied in the eighth, pulling to within a run off of reliever Nate Striz, but could not push across the tying run. Striz picked up his fifth save after allowing two runs (one earned) on a hit and two walks in two innings.
Marrero was 3 for 4 with two runs scored to lead the Red Sox offense.
The Red Sox took a quick 3-0 lead in the first as Tim Roberson hit a three-run home run. Deven Marrero gave Salem a 4-0 lead in the third after he scampered home on a wild pitch. Prior to the wild pitch, Marrero and Keury De La Cruz successfully pulled off a double steal.
The Blue Rocks rallied in the eighth, pulling to within a run off of reliever Nate Striz, but could not push across the tying run. Striz picked up his fifth save after allowing two runs (one earned) on a hit and two walks in two innings.
Marrero was 3 for 4 with two runs scored to lead the Red Sox offense.
-----
Greenville had a rough day at the plate and in the field as they fell 6-0 to the Hagerstown Suns (WAS). Jacob Dahlstrand tossed 5 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks to fall to 1-3. Austin Maddox provided 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit and striking out three.
The Drive committed four errors, struck out 13 times, and were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. Drew Turocy was 2 for 4 with a double to lead the Greenville offense.
The Drive committed four errors, struck out 13 times, and were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. Drew Turocy was 2 for 4 with a double to lead the Greenville offense.
-----
A punchless offense was unable to take advantage of four Vermont errors as Lowell fell to the Lake Monsters (OAK), 3-1. Heri Quevedo received the start for the Spinners, tossing two innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out two. Sergio Gomez received the loss, hurling 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits despite striking out eight. The rehabbing Chris Carpenter allowed an unearned run on one hit while striking out two in his 1 1/3 innings of relief.
Lowell's lone run of the contest came in the first on a Kevin Mager RBI single. The hit was just one of three for the Spinners who did not have another hit after Tzu-Wei Lin led off the third inning with a single.
The Lake Monsters did not get on the board until the sixth, but scored a run each in the last three innings to seal the 3-1 victory.
Lowell's lone run of the contest came in the first on a Kevin Mager RBI single. The hit was just one of three for the Spinners who did not have another hit after Tzu-Wei Lin led off the third inning with a single.
The Lake Monsters did not get on the board until the sixth, but scored a run each in the last three innings to seal the 3-1 victory.
-----
Player of the Day: Despite a sparkling day on the mound for Alfredo Aceves, the award goes to Xander Bogaerts. The 20-year-old shortstop went 2 for 5 with a run scored, home run and two RBI. The youngest position player in PawSox history, Bogaerts has three home runs in his first 39 at-bats in a Pawtucket uniform.
Photo Credit: Xander Bogaerts by Kelly O'Connor
John Gray is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.