Cup of Coffee: Affiliates unable to stop opponents and mother nature

5/28 Cup of Coffee: After a stellar Memorial Day, the affiliates failed to walk away with a win on Tuesday. Pawtucket was unable to overcome an early hole while Salem was overwhelmed by Myrtle Beach's offense. Greenville played two, but was unable to come away with a victory in either part of their doubleheader. Portland's game against New Britain started with plenty of offense, but was suspended due to rain. 

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The PawSox were unable to contain the Gwinnett Braves (ATL) offense, falling 8-3. Matt Barnes had his second straight rocky start, tossing 4 1/3 innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on six hits and two walks, punching out six. The 23-year-old right-hander fell to 1-3 on the season, and now carries a 5.35 ERA through seven starts. John Ely continued to pitch well in relief, hurling 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out four. 

Pawtucket found itself down 7-0 after five, and did not score until the seventh inning. The PawSox scored all three of their runs in the seventh on RBI singles from Shannon Wilkerson and Mike McCoy. Pawtucket actually outhit Gwinnett 7-6, however all seven hits were singles. 

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Portland's contest against the New Britain Rock Cats (MIN) was suspended due to rain. The game will be completed this evening at 5 PM. Before the suspension, the Sea Dogs found themselves in a 5-0 hole after an inning, as Miguel Pena was rocked for five runs on five hits and two walks in just 1/3 of an inning. The Sea Dogs did rally to tie the game on an RBI single from Stefan Welch, an RBI double from Bo Greenwell, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly from Derrik Gibson. The game will continue in the bottom of the second, with Portland batting with a runner on first and one out. 

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Salem's pitching was unable to contain the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (TEX) as the Red Sox fell 12-6. Corey Littrell fell to 3-3 after allowing eight runs on seven hits and three walks in 3 1/3 innings. Nate Reed did not fare any better in relief, allowing four runs on two hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings. Madison Younginer added three scoreless innings of relief, allowing four hits and striking out five.

The Red Sox held a 2-0 lead after a half inning, thanks to five consecutive free passes, including bases-loaded walks to Tim Roberson and Kevin Mager. In the third, Mario Martinez's (pictured,above) solo home run gave the Red Sox a 3-1 advantage. Myrtle Beach opened up the game with seven runs in the fourth, a run in the third and three in the sixth to take a 12-3 lead. Reed Gragnani's bases clearing RBI double in the eighth brought home Salem's final three runs. The Red Sox were unable to capitalize on 13 walks, as they were just 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. 

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Greenville dropped game one of their doubleheader against the Charleston RiverDogs (NYY), 4-2. Daniel McGrath took the loss as he pitched a complete game (six innings), allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk, punching out four. The Drive found itself down 4-0 in the sixth, but cut the lead in half on back-to-back RBI doubles from Janzen Witte and Carlos Asuaje.

Game two of the doubleheader saw Greenville collect just two hits in a 3-0 loss. Myles Smith fell to 1-3 as he allowed three runs on two hits and five walks in four innings of work. Mike Adams added two scoreless innings of relief. The Drive's only hits of the contest were singles from Manuel Margot and Aneudis Peralta. 

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Player of the Day: On a tough night for the affiliates, Mario Martinez had a good night at the plate in Salem's 12-6 loss to Myrtle Beach. The Red Sox designated hitter went 2 for 3 with a home run, RBI and two runs scored. The 24-year-old is having a good start to 2014, hitting .303/.333/.441 with 12 doubles, three home runs and 21 RBI in 39 games. 

Photo Credit: Mario Martinez by SoxProspects, LLC.

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