August 18, 2013 at 8:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Callahan, Pimentel impress on quiet night
8/18 Cup of Coffee: On a mixed night, the pitching performances of Jamie Callahan (pictured) and Yankory Pimentel were two of the few highlights. Matt Barnes started off strong but faltered in the end, while Xander Bogaerts showed that he still has some work to do on his defense at the hot corner.
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It was a tough night all-around for the PawSox, as they fell to the Buffalo Bisons (TOR), 7-2. Steven Wright struggled, allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings, walking four and striking out three. Chris Carpenter followed with two scoreless innings of relief, and Ryan Roland-Smith tossed a scoreless eighth inning, but the Bisons got to Jose De La Torre for two runs in the ninth to put the game away.
Heiker Meneses went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Drew Sutton went 1 for 3 with a walk. Both Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Xander Bogaerts struggled,, combining to go 1 for 9 with three strikeouts, with Bogaerts adding an error at third base.
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A seven-run sixth inning lifted the Harrisburg Senators (WAS) past the Portland Sea Dogs, 8-0. Through the first five innings, Matt Barnes had allowed only one run on three hits, while walking one and striking out six. The wheels came off in the sixth however, as he allowed the first four batters to reach base. With two runs already in, Miguel Celestino came on and allowed both inherited runners to score, while allowing three more runs of his own.
Garin Cecchini collected three of Portland's five hits, with a J.C. Linares single and Shannon Wilkerson triple representing the only other damage. Both Deven Marrero and Christian Vazquez were cooled off in this game, as they each went 0 for 4.
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Salem was rained out yesterday, and the game will be made up as part of a doubleheader today.
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The Drive were also rained out, and they too will play a doubleheader today.
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Behind another strong start from Jamie Callahan, the Spinners defeated the Hudson Valley Renegades (TB), 5-3. Callahan went the first five innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits, walking one and striking out six. Jonathan Aro followed with four strong innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run while striking out five to earn the save.
Several Spinners had standout offensive performances, led by Carlos Asuaje who went 2 for 3 with two doubles and a walk. Tzu-Wei Lin and Kevin Mager each went 2 for 5, and Deiner Lopez went 2 for 4 and drove in three runs.
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It was a forgettable day in Fort Myers, as the GCL Twins pummeled the GCL Red Sox, 8-1. Making a rehab appearance, Pat Light tossed a scoreless first inning, but it was downhill from there for the Red Sox. Pat Goetze and Edwar Garcia allowed five runs over the next three innings, and K.J. Trader allowed two more runs in the seventh.
Bryce Brentz also made a rehab appearance, as he went 0 for 1 as the designated hitter. Aneudis Peralta and Mauricio Dubon each collected doubles in the losing effort.
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The DSL Red Sox pitching continued to impress, as they shut out the DSL Indians (CLE), 3-0. Yankory Pimentel continued his solid season, tossing six scoreless innings. He gave up only two hits and two walks and struck out five as he lowered his ERA to 2.11. Samir El Halaby and Victor Ramirez each kept their ERA's under 1.00, as they completed the shutout with three near-perfect innings of relief.
Victor Acosta went 2 for 4 and hit his team-leading seventh home run of the season. His seven home runs are the most by a member of the DSL Red Sox since 2007. Isaias Lucena went 1 for 2 with a double and was also hit by a pitch.
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Player of the Day: 2012 second-round pick Jamie Callahan continued his blistering pace on Saturday night, throwing five innings of one-run ball to lead the Spinners. Callahan started the year off slow, but turned it around in his sixth start of the year, when he took a perfect game into the sixth inning. In his last five starts, he has allowed five earned runs in 24 1/3 innings, surrendering only 13 hits and three walks while striking out 26. The right-hander will turn 19 later this week.
Photo Credit: Jamie Callahan by Kelly O'Connor
Jim Crowell is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com