May 1, 2014 at 7:55 AM
Cup of Coffee: Greenville, Portland fall on slow night
4/31 Cup of Coffee: Only two affiliates were in action on a slow and soggy Wednesday on the east coast. Portland lost a close game, done in partially by poor defense. The Greenville Drive could only scratch across two runs, not enough to take home a victory.
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The Portland Sea Dogs were done in by three errors and fell 3-2 to the Reading Fightin Phils (PHI) on Wednesday. The Sea Dogs opened the scoring in the contest by plating one run in the first on a Deven Marrero (pictured) double that scored the scorching hot Mookie Betts, who had led off with a single. Portland starter Miguel Pena held the lead by pitching a strong first five frames for the Sea Dogs, striking out seven. He was lifted at the start of the sixth inning, which is when the Phils would tie the game at one.
The Sea Dogs yielded an unearned run in the seventh, and another earned run on a bunt single in the eighth. Entering the bottom of the ninth, down by two, Portland was able to scratch across one more run on a Henry Ramos single that scored Stefan Welch. On an individual note, Betts continued his torrid pace to start the season by going 2 for 3 with a run scored and a walk.
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The Greenville Drive fell short Wednesday evening losing to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (MIA) by a score of 7-2. The Drive fell in an early hole Wednesday, going down 2-0 in the first inning. The Drive would answer back in the top of the third with two runs of their own, however, which came on a Jantzen Witte single. That would be the end of the scoring for the Drive night. Unfortunately, the Grasshoppers would go on to tack on five more runs, ending in the lopsided result.
Teddy Stankiewicz struggled through five innings of work. He yielded eight hits, one walk and four earned runs while collecting three strikeouts in those frames. Another notable performer aside from Witte was leadoff man Bo Greenwell, who went 2 for 4 with a run scored.
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Player of the Day: On a day where not much happened on the farm it was again Mookie Betts who stood out. Betts' 2 for 3 performance raised his season average to .430 as he continues his torrid start. In his last 10 games, Betts has put up eye popping numbers including 20 hits, 16 runs and six steals.
Photo Credit: Deven Marrero by Kelly O'Connor.
Luke Lavoie is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com.