July 12, 2013 at 8:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Bogaerts homers, Owens and Pena solid in Salem
7/12 Cup of Coffee: It was a mixed bag for the affiliates yesterday, with several strong pitching performances, but inconsistent offense. Xander Bogaerts hit another long home run, an Eastern League team finally cooled off Garin Cecchini, and Henry Owens and Miguel Pena (pictured) combined to give Salem great pitching in its doubleheader. -----
The PawSox dropped their ninth straight game, falling to the Rochester Red Wings (MIN), 7-6. The PawSox rotation has been depleted by recent roster moves, and they were forced to have a bullpen game yesterday. Chris Carpenter and Will Latimer combined to throw the first 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits and seven walks. Anthony Carter and Jose De La Torre were able to keep the Red Wings off the board the rest of the way, giving the offense a chance to come back.
Down 7-1 in the fifth, Xander Bogaerts launched a two-run home run to deep left-center field, Alex Hassan laced a two-run single, and Will Middlebrooks snapped out of an 0 for 14 slump with a single to right field. Pawtucket ultimately fell a run short, though, continuing its recent skid. The home run was Bogaerts' seventh in Triple-A in only 28 games, but he has yet to hit a double or triple for the PawSox. Hassan went 2 for 4 as the first baseman, and Jeremy Hazelbaker went 2 for 4 with his eighth home run.
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Finishing up a suspended game, the Sea Dogs fell to the Binghamton Mets (NYM), 6-5. The game started in Portland on June 25, but ended yesterday in Binghamton. Brandon Jacobs saw his first game action for Portland, so his Double-A debut will technically be June 25 even though he was not promoted until July 11. He went 2 for 3 with a triple as the center fielder. The Sea Dogs scored four runs in the seventh, but left the tying run in scoring position.
The second game was more of the same, as the Mets won 4-0. Tony Thomas led off the game with a double off of Mets prospect Noah Syndergaard, but that would be the only hit the right-hander allowed in his two innings of work. He was only pulled so he could pitch in the Futures Game on Sunday. The Sea Dogs did not fare much better against the Mets bullpen, collecting only three hits in five innings. Garin Cecchini was held hitless, while Michael McCarthy struck out seven in four innings of work.
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Despite a strong start from Henry Owens, Salem dropped the first game of its doubleheader to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (TEX), 3-2 in eight innings. Owens went the first 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, neither of which were earned, while walking four and striking out four. Nefi Ogando took the loss after allowing one run in 1 1/3 innings. Salem scored two runs in the fifth on a Stefan Welch single, but that was all they would get. Welch went 2 for 4, and Deven Marrero went 1 for 2 with two walks.
Salem got another strong start in the second game, as Miguel Pena led the Red Sox to a 3-1 victory. Pena went the full seven innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits, while striking out four. Matthew Gedman drove in all three runs for Salem with a two-run single in the second and an RBI double in the fourth. Tim Roberson went 2 for 3 with a double, and Mookie Betts went 1 for 3 with a stolen base.
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The Drive could not get anything going offensively, as they were defeated by the Charleston RiverDogs (NYY), 3-1. Justin Haley struck out seven in four innings, but also walked four and allowed two runs. Yunior Ortega was solid out of the bullpen, firing four innings of one-run ball and striking out five. David Chester was the only Drive batter to reach base twice, going 2 for 4.
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It was a pitcher's duel in Lowell, as the Spinners beat the Staten Island Yankees (NYY), 1-0 in 10 innings. Mario Alcantara was dealing again, surrendering only one hit in five shutout innings. Carlos Pinales was just as good, throwing four shutout innings and striking out six. Dylan Chavez picked up the win with a scoreless 10th, striking out two.
In the bottom of the 10th, Carlos Asuaje led off with a double, moved to third on a Manuel Margot single, and scored the winning run on an Aaron King single. Margot went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base, and Cleuluis Rondon went 2 for 4 with a steal.
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In the first game of a doubleheader, the GCL Red Sox were shutout by the GCL Rays (TB), 5-0. Willie Ethington allowed four runs in three innings, but he was let down by his defense, as three of the runs were unearned. He walked one and struck out five. Bryan Hudson went 1 for 3 with a walk out of the leadoff spot, Jon Denney went 1 for 3 with a double, and Jake Davies went 2 for 3.
The Red Sox' bats woke up in the second game, as they beat the Rays, 7-1. Joseph Monge continued his strong start to the season, going 3 for 3 with a double and two runs scored. Wendell Rijo also collected three hits, going 3 for 4 with a double and two stolen bases. Edwar Garcia threw four solid innings, allowing only one run, and Enfember Martinez picked up the win by tossing two scoreless innings.
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The DSL Red Sox improved to 20-10 with a 9-5 win over the DSL Mariners (SEA). Carlos Garcia got the start, allowing one run in four innings. Algenis Martinez got the win after allowing only one hit in three innings of relief. He is now 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 13 innings. Pablo Urena went 2 for 2 with two doubles, and Isaias Lucena went 2 for 4 with a walk.
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Player of the Day: Miguel Pena pitched a complete game, leading Salem to a split of its doubleheader. Pena has been inconsistent since coming back from his 50-game suspension, with three very good starts and three very poor starts. If he ends the season strong, he could open next season in Portland, but that is not a given after missing a good amount of development time.
Jim Crowell is a Staff Writer for SoxPropsects.com