July 8, 2013 at 6:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Cecchini leads Portland, Bogaerts continues to shine
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Pawtucket's pitching was torched, as the Rochester Red Wings (MIN) completed the series sweep, 12-7. Rubby De La Rosa struggled mightily, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in just 1/3 of an inning. The pitching situation grew so dire for the PawSox that infielders Jonathan Diaz (two innings, two runs on four hits) and Drew Sutton (one scoreless inning) had to provide some late-inning relief.
Down 12-3 in the eighth, Mark Hamilton's solo home run and Xander Bogaerts' (pictured) two-run shot brought Pawtucket within five. Bogaerts, Hamilton and Will Middlebrooks each had two hits to pace the PawSox offense.
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A late comeback allowed the Sea Dogs to claw past the New Britain Rock Cats (MIN), 4-3. Keith Couch pitched solidly in his seven innings of work, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks, while striking out two. Rafael Perez picked up the victory, tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Down 3-0 in the sixth, Portland pulled to within one, as Garin Cecchini laced an RBI double and Tony Thomas drilled an RBI single. In the eighth, a wild pitch and two stolen bases set the stage for Shannon Wilkerson's RBI double that brought home two, giving the Sea Dogs the 4-3 advantage. Cecchini was 2 for 4 and is now hitting .471 in his last 10 games.
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For the third day in a row, Salem was silenced by the Carolina Mudcats (CLE), 7-3. Kyle Kraus picked up the loss, allowing six runs on 12 hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Henry Ramos led off the game with his ninth home run of the year to temporarily give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. A bases-loaded walk to Stefan Welch in the third drew Salem to within a run, 3-2. Brandon Jacobs' solo home run in the eighth accounted for the only other scoring for the Red Sox. The team was a miserable 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, stranding seven runners.
Henry Ramos led off the game with his ninth home run of the year to temporarily give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. A bases-loaded walk to Stefan Welch in the third drew Salem to within a run, 3-2. Brandon Jacobs' solo home run in the eighth accounted for the only other scoring for the Red Sox. The team was a miserable 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, stranding seven runners.
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A five-run fourth inning lifted Greenville past the Savannah Sand Gnats (NYM), 6-4. Francellis Montas received the start for the Drive, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks, while striking out six in four innings of work. Jack McGeary picked up the victory, hurling three inning of relief and allowing a walk, while punching out two. The victory for McGeary is his first since 2010 when he was with Hagerstown (WAS). Yunior Ortega picked up his first save of the season after hurling two scoreless innings of relief.
Down 3-0 in the third, Mookie Betts' RBI single put the Drive on the board, 3-1. In the fourth, an RBI double from David Chester, an RBI single by Aneury Tavarez, an RBI double from Keaton Briscoe, as well as a throwing error and a wild pitch allowed Greenville to grab a 6-4 lead. Drew Turocy was 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored to lead the Drive offense.
Down 3-0 in the third, Mookie Betts' RBI single put the Drive on the board, 3-1. In the fourth, an RBI double from David Chester, an RBI single by Aneury Tavarez, an RBI double from Keaton Briscoe, as well as a throwing error and a wild pitch allowed Greenville to grab a 6-4 lead. Drew Turocy was 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored to lead the Drive offense.
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Lowell's offense could not get into gear, as the Spinners were blanked by the Brooklyn Cyclones (NYM), 3-0. 2013 draftee Corey Littrell made his professional debut, tossing two scoreless innings, while allowing one hit and striking out one. Simon Mercedes received the loss, surrendering three runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks, while striking out five.
The Spinners mustered just five hits, were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and committed three errors during the game.
The Spinners mustered just five hits, were 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position and committed three errors during the game.
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Player of the Day: Despite his team getting swept, Xander Bogaerts continues to impress at the Triple-A level. Bogaerts was 2 for 4 with a home run, four RBI, and a run scored in Pawtucket's 12-7 loss to Rochester. Bogaerts, 20, has continued to produce since being called up from Portland, hitting .262/.361/.440 with five home runs and 15 RBI in 23 games with the PawSox.
Photo Credit: Xander Bogaerts by Kelly O'Connor
John Gray is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.