Cup of Coffee: Bullpen blunders lead to tough losses

7/6 Cup of Coffee: It was a tough day on the farm, as all but two of the Red Sox affiliates in action lost. While no loss is easy to take, Pawtucket, Portland and Lowell has especially tough losses, dropping their games late after leading through most of their respective contests. The Drive and the DSL Red Sox were the lone bright spots, taking home victories. 

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The Pawtucket Red Sox lost a 10-inning marathon game against the Rochester Red Wings (MIN) Friday by a score of 1-0. Mustering only five hits, the PawSox offense spoiled a fantastic outing from starting pitcher Brandon Workman (pictured). The right-hander tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings, surrendering five hits and two walks, while striking out five. Workman led off the game by giving up a triple, but would quickly settle down in the first inning by striking out the side. After that, it was smooth sailing for Workman, who was relieved in the seventh by Brock Huntzinger.

Huntzinger took the PawSox through the ninth inning before giving way to Chris Martin, who was tagged with the loss. Martin gave up a single to the first batter he faced, but was really done in by a throwing error from catcher Alberto Rosario on a sacrifice bunt. The error put runners on the corners with no outs, which ultimately led to the game-winning hit.

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The Sea Dogs saw the New Britain Rock Cats (MIN) snatch victory from the jaws of defeat Friday, as they lost 7-5 after leading 5-2 heading into the top of the ninth inning. Starting pitcher Anthony Ranaudo handed the Sea Dogs bullpen a 5-2 lead when he did not return to the mound for the eighth inning. After hurling a clean eighth, Will Latimer was tagged for five hits and five runs in the top of the ninth, giving the Rock Cats a lead the Sea Dogs could not overcome in the ninth. 

Although it was not enough for a win, the Sea Dogs offense strung together 10 hits, half of which came off the bats of Garin Cecchini and Derrik Gibson. Cecchini, who batted third and played designated hitter, continued his torrid start in Double-A, going 2 for 4 with a double. First baseman Travis Shaw hit a solo home run in the game, his 10th of the season.

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There was not much to cheer for in Salem, as the Red Sox fell to the Carolina Mudcats (CLE) by a score of 9-0. Salem starter Henry Owens lasted only two innings. Pitching into the third, he was unable to get an out, surrendering two hits and two walks, before being replaced. Ultimately, it was his lack of control that did him in, as he dealt five walks, which led to five earned runs. Relieving Owens was Heri Quevedo, who did not fair much better. He gave up four earned runs in three innings. The offense was able to muster only four hits, two of which came from Blake Swihart.  

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The Greenville Drive slugged their way to a win by collecting 14 hits to beat the Savannah Sand Gnats, 8-4. The first five hitters for the Drive were responsible for the majority of the damage, collecting at least one RBI each and all but two of the team's 14 hits. Leading the attack was second baseman Mookie Betts, who continues to watch his batting average climb. Betts, who led off, went 2 for 4 with two runs, a walk, an RBI and a double. Drew Turocy went 3 for 5 with a pair of RBI, while Aneury Tavarez went 3 for 4 with a walk and a double. 

Although he surrendered only one earned run in five innings, starter Jacob Dahlstrand did not pick up the win despite leaving the game with the lead. With the score 3-2 Greenville, Savannah scored two in the top of the sixth, only to watch the Drive wrestle the lead back with four runs in the bottom of the frame. The Drive would add one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning. 

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The Lowell Spinners lost a tough one Friday, as they watched the Tri-City ValleyCats (HOU) walk off in the bottom of the 10th to earn a 5-4 victory. Although he did not factor in the decision, starting pitcher Sergio Gomez turned in a solid performance, giving up three runs in five innings. Opposing Gomez on the mound was the first overall pick in the 2013 draft, Mark Appel. Although the Spinners collected 11 hits, only two went for extra bases, a double off the bat of Carlos Asuaje  and a leadoff triple from Tzu-Wei Lin. Asuaje and Lin were among five Spinners with multi-hit games. 

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The GCL Red Sox had their game suspended in the third inning due to rain. 

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The DSL Red Sox beat the DSL Rays 5-2 after scoring four runs in the final two frames. Offensively, the team was led by catcher Jhon Nunez, who went 3 for 4 with three runs scored, an RBI and a triple.   Shortstop Javier Guerra went 2 for 4 with an RBI and a stolen base. DSL starter Yankory Pimentel went five strong innings, giving up only three hits and zero walks. 

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Player of the Day: On a day in which there was not a lot of individual or team success, Sea Dogs second baseman Derrik Gibson had a strong performance at the dish, going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles, an RBI, a triple and a run scored. The 23-year-old, who batted ninth, raised his season average to .212. 

Photo Credit: Brandon Workman by Kelly O'Connor.

Luke Lavoie is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. 

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