Cup of Coffee: De La Rosa, Stankiewicz pitch well in victories

4/18 Cup of Coffee: It was a strong night for starting pitching throughout the system, as Rubby De La Rosa, Chris Hernandez, Corey Littrell, and Teddy Stankiewicz (pictured) all pitched well. Salem and Greenville each took advantage of sloppy play by their opponents, and Portland was postponed for the third game in a row. 

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In game one of a doubleheader, the PawSox pitched their way to a 2-1 victory over the Rochester Red Wings (MIN). Rubby De La Rosa continued his fantastic start to the season, tossing six innings, allowing only one run on four hits, walking one and striking out five. His ERA actually rose to 1.08 following this performance. For a while it looked like he was going to be the tough-luck loser, but the PawSox scored a run in the seventh when Christian Vazquez doubled home Garin Cecchini. The score was tied until the 11th, when Heiker Meneses drove in Bryce Brentz with a single. 

Wilfredo Boscan pitched two perfect innings of relief to pick up his first win of the season. Cecchini went 3 for 5, and Vazquez went 2 for 3 with a walk and threw out the only two baserunners who tried to steal. 

The Red Wings got their revenge in the second game, shutting out the PawSox, 2-0. Chris Hernandez pitched well for Pawtucket, going six innings while allowing only the two runs. The offense could not get anything going to help him, as Brock Holt and Corey Brown accounted for the only two hits on the team. 

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The Sea Dogs were postponed for the third straight day, this time due to unplayable field conditions in New Britain. This is particularly odd, since it was 50 degrees and sunny all day in New Britain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader today starting at 5:30. 

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Salem scored eight unearned runs in the top of the 10th to beat the Carolina Mudcats (CLE), 10-2. Corey Littrell stayed hot, allowing two runs in six innings, walking one and striking out three. Littrell has now pitched well in all three appearances this season. Austin Maddox and Kyle Stroup combined to throw the final four innings, allowing one baserunner apiece.

The Mudcats fell apart in the top of the 10th, committing four errors and uncorking two wild pitches. With the bases loaded, Carolina's shortstop committed an error to let the ball get into center field, and then the center fielder threw the ball away, allowing all three runs to score and Matty Johnson to get to third. Johnson came into score on a wild pitch to the next batter. Mario Martinez led the offense with four hits, and Carson Blair went 2 for 4 with a double, home run, and two walks.

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Teddy Stankiewicz turned in his best start of the year, as the Drive beat the Savannah Sand Gnats (NYM), 4-0. Stankiewicz tossed six shutout innings, surrendering three hits, while striking out three without walking a batter. Joe Gunkel pitched the next two innings, striking out four without allowing a baserunner. Jonathan Aro finished off the shutout with a scoreless ninth.

The game was tight until the eighth, when the Drive took advantage of some of Savannah's mistakes. Two runs scored on errors, and a third scored on a Carlos Asuaje triple. Asuaje went 2 for 3 with a walk, and Tzu-Wei Lin went 1 for 2 with three walks.

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Player of the Night: Teddy Stankiewicz tossed six shutout innings to lead the Drive to victory. Stankiewicz struggled in his first start, but has now thrown 11 scoreless innings over his last two appearances. He has not missed many bats this season, but the results have been solid for the 20-year-old. It is important to remember that Stankiewicz is young for the league, despite coming from junior college, so expecting him to dominate Low A like Matt Barnes did at age 22 is unreasonable. The 2013 second-round pick has shown the potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter, and he is one of the more interesting arms to follow in the low minors. 

Photo Credit: Teddy Stankiewicz by Kelly O'Connor

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