May 11, 2014 at 8:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Greenville picks up lone win as affiliates struggle.
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The PawSox surrendered their lead in the eighth, falling to the Louisville Bats (CIN), 7-4. Anthony Ranaudo pitched well enough, giving up three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three in six innings of work. To be fair to Ranaudo, after a three-run second inning, the righty allowed no runs on only one hit in his last four innings of work. Chris Hernandez picked up the loss in relief as he allowed two runs in only 11/3 innings pitched. Likewise, Alex Wilson came on in relief and gave up another two runs before getting the final two outs of the eighth.
Bryce Brentz snapped an 0 for 26 slump in the fourth, as he lofted a three-run home run to tie the ballgame at three. The next inning, Alex Hassan singled to bring home the go-ahead run and put the PawSox up 4-3. As a team the PawSox managed only five hits in the contest, though they did walk a collective six times.
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Portland was unable to finish a late rally and was beaten by the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR), 6-5. It was a mixed bag for Keith Couch, who struck out seven but also allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. Couch threw 65 of his 96 pitches for strikes but did not factor into the decision. Matty Ott took the loss thanks to a rocky eighth inning which saw two runs come across on two hits and a walk. Michael Olmstead continued his brilliance, allowing one hit and striking out four in 1 1/3 innings pitched.
The offense struck early, tagging New Hampshire's pitching for four runs in the second. After a walk to Carlos Rivero and a double by Blake Swihart, Henry Ramos grounded out to short to put Portland on the board. A hit-batsman and two walks gave Portland another run and Deven Marrero hit a sharp grounder that got through the third baseman's legs to score two and give the Sea Dogs the lead.
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A tight game in the early going, things got out of control late for the Salem Red Sox as they were blown out by the Carolina Mudcats (CLE), 11-3. Corey Littrell fought his control throughout his short outing. In 2 2/3 innings pitched Littrell walked six batters and gave up three hits including a homerun. Madison Younginer took the brunt of Carolina's late outburst, allowing five runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks in only 2/3 of an inning.
Salem managed to bring home one run in the second and started something of a rally in the fourth. Three straight singles off the bats of Aneury Tavarez, Kevin Mager and Dreily Guerrero brought the Red Sox within one, but they couldnt capitalize as Jonathan Roof hit into the inning-ending double play.
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Greenville was the lone affiliate to pick up a win, surviving a late rally and downing the West Virginia Power (PIT), 6-5. Drive starter Jamie Callahan went five innings and allowed four runs on a walk and five hits while striking out four. While Callahan did not factor into the decision, Jacob Dahlstrand picked up the win in relief, tossing four innings of three-hit ball and allowing only one, unearned run.
After being shut out through four, the Drive plated three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Kendrick Perkins went 3 for 4, including a solo home run in the sixth. Jantzen Witte went 1 for 1 with a double and two walks in the contest, as all but three Drive starters had hits.
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Player of the night: On a night when not a lot went right, Kendrick Perkins was firing on all cylinders. The outfielder took home a 3 for 4 night which included a homerun and a double. Perkins collected one of only three multi-hit games in the system and was the only player with three hits. A 6th round selection in 2010, Perkins split last season with both Greenville and Lowell where he hit a combined .223/.282/.332. Thus far in 2014, Perkins has hit .360 across 25 plate appearances in only seven games
Photo Credit: Kendrick Perkins by Kelly O'Connor