Cup of Coffee: Holt and Vazquez notch three hits in Pawtucket win

4/5 Cup of Coffee: Led by strong showings on both sides of the ball, Pawtucket, Portland and Salem all took home victories. Greenville, meanwhile, was the only affiliate to take the loss as their pitchers struggled.

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It was a day of mixed results for Anthony Ranaudo, who surrendered four runs on four hits, only one of them earned, en route to a 9-4 Pawtucket victory over the Lehigh Vally IronPigs (PHI). Ranaudo lasted only four innings while walking four, and striking out seven. All four of Lehigh Valley's runs came in the fourth, including a three-run home run to cap it off. Behind Ranaudo, the PawSox deployed the rehabbing Craig Breslow who surrendered the IronPigs only other hit on the night and picked up the win for Pawtucket. Rich Hill and Alex Wilson combined for three scoreless innings, though they did walk four batters between them.

The PawSox used one big inning to down the IronPigs, scoring eight runs in the fifth. Christian Vazquez (pictured) picked up three hits on the night, including two in the same inning. Brock Holt also managed three hits as well as walk and came around to score twice. Every member of the PawSox starting nine reached base at least once in the contest.

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Keith Couch was effective for the Sea Dogs, helping secure a 4-1 victory over the Reading Fightin' Phils (PHI). Couch's only run came in the third, as he allowed a one-out walk which then proved costly when he was unable to retire the next two batters, and outfielder, Bo Greenwell threw the ball away, allowing a run to score. After Couch went 5 2/3 innings, Noe Ramierez came in and threw 1 1/3 innings while only surrendering one hit. Miguel Celestino pitched a perfect eighth, striking out two.

Sean Coyle kicked things off with a solo home run to open scoring in the second and also tacked on another RBI in the Sea Dog's three-run sixth. Blake Swihart did it on both sides of the ball, knocking in a run in the sixth and throwing out both would-be basestealers. Meanwhile, Mookie Betts continued his torrid start to the year smacking two doubles on the night.

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The Salem Red Sox all but silenced the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (TEX) in their 4-0 victory. The trio of William Cuevas, Austin Maddox and Dayan Diaz combined to stymie the Pelicans' lineup. Cuevas allowed the only baserunners of the night, allowing six hits in his six innings of work. Not one Salem pitcher surrendered a walk in the contest.

Ryan Dent scored the first run of the night in the seventh, before the rest of the club broke it open with a three-run eighth. Reed Gragnani hit a triple, then scored on a sacrifice fly and Carson Blair followed with a two-run home run two batters later.

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After jumping out to an early lead the Drive had nothing to show for it, falling to the Kannapolis Intimidators (CHW), 7-2. Starter Jamie Callhan, after pitching three scoreless innings, struggled in the fourth, allowing three runs in the frame and was pulled after only 3 2/3 innings. Reliever Sergio Gomez did not fair much better, allowing a run in the seventh before giving up three in the eighth.

Second baseman Wendell Rijo was the only Drive player to pick up two hits in the game. Meanwhile, Jake Romanski, the designated hitter, had the only extra base hit and scored both runs in the loss.

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Player of the day: Christian Vazquez put together a brilliant night, collecting two doubles and scoring a runm while also driving in two of Pawtucket's runs. Vazquez, who went 3 for 4, hit .289 in 96 contests for Double-A Portland last year while also seeing action in one game for Pawtucket at the end of the season.

Photo credit: Christian Vazquez by Kelly O'Connor of http://sittingstill.smugmug.com/

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