June 26, 2014 at 8:53 AM
Cup of Coffee: Shaw, Roberts lead Pawtucket in blowout
6/26 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket rolls in 16-run onslaught; a pair of homers carries Salem to victory; the Spinners rally to score six late in a win; and the DSL Red Sox score two in the ninth to walk off. The Drive fell and the GCL Red Sox rolled. Portland was rained out.
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The Pawtucket Red Sox plated 16 runs Wednesday resulting in a 16-5 victory over the Norfolk Tides (BAL). The PawSox scored in all but two innings, the second and the eighth, and put up multiple runs in every inning but the third. The offensive attack was led by first baseman Travis Shaw (Pictured) and infielder Ryan Roberts, who combined for three home runs and nine RBI. Shaw was 3 for 4 with three runs, two doubles, one long ball and five RBI. Roberts was 3 for 5 with two home runs, two runs scored and four RBI. Leadoff man and center fielder Mookie Betts was 3 for 5 with three runs scored, continuing his hot hitting in Triple-A. Every PawSox player scored a run in the game.
The run support did not go to waste as Pawtucket starter Anthony Ranaudo was strong through five innings. He yielded only two hits, one walk, and one earned run; lowering his ERA to 2.54.
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The Portland Sea Dogs contest against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR) was postponed due to rain.
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After trailing 1-0 early, the Salem Red Sox rallied back to defeat the Carolina Mudcats (CLE) 5-1 Wednesday. The Mudcats picked up a one-run lead in the top of the third inning, but Salem would respond by plating two runs in the bottom of the fifth. The runs came on a rare home run by Jordan Weems, a two-run shot. Salem would plate two more in the bottom of the sixth on a home run from Mario Martinez -- also a two-run shot. Jantzen Witte, who was recently promoted along with Weems, was 2 for 4 in the game with a double and a run scored.
Starter Corey Littrell was strong in six innings. He scattered seven hits and yielded only one walk on his way to his fourth win. He also struck out five and yielded only one run.
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The Greenville Drive fell to the Asheville Tourists (COL) by a score of 11-4. Despite jumping out to an early 2-1 lead after three innings, the Drive could not hold on. The Drive picked up the runs on a two-RBI single from Tze-Wei Lin. Lin's single was one of only six hits for the Drive on the day. Third baseman Jimmy Rider slugged a solo home run in the game, his second of the season.
The Drive pitching staff struggled in the game and combined for 11 earned runs on 16 hits. Drive starter Ted Stankiewicz was tagged for 10 hits, and six earned runs in five innings pitched. He pitched well through the first three innings, yielding only one run. He ran into trouble in the bottom of the fourth and fifth before being lifted for Taylor Grover, who yielded six earned runs in three relief innings.
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The Lowell Spinners dropped the Tri-City ValleyCats (HOU), 8-4. After two innings, the ValleyCats had a 4-1 lead, but the Spinners battled back by scoring six runs over the final two frames to seize the victory. Down 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Spinners scored to make it 4-3 on a double from Mike Meyers. The game would be tied up by the next batter, Deiner Lopez, who singled to score Mauricio Dubon.
The Spinners would take the lead on a Meyers triple, which scored one, and would add to it with a three-run shot from David Sopika. After yielding four runs in the second inning, Drive starter Jake Drehoff settled down. He lasted 5 1/3 innings and gave up four runs on eight hits while striking out two.
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The DSL Red Sox eked out a 2-1 victory over the DSL Nationals. The DSL Red Sox entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 1-0. A leadoff walk by Luis Alexander Basabe was followed by a single from Yoan Aybar -- giving the Red Sox two runners on and no outs. After a sacrifice bunt and a strikeout, Raiwinson Lameda came through with a clutch single that plated the tying and winning runs. Starter Jhonathan Diaz went 5 1/3 giving up three hits, and three walks in the game.
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The GCL Red Sox defeated the GCL Rays 7-0. Third baseman Victor Acosta was especially great in the game as he was 3 for 4 with three runs, two doubles, a grand slam and five RBI. Leadoff man and shortstop Jose Vincio picked up the other two RBI. He was 1 for 2 with two walks and a triple.
GCL starter Dedgar Jimenez was good in his five innings of work as he yielded only three hits, no runs, and one walk. Reliever Keivin Heras pitched the last four innings giving up only one hit, one walk while striking out four.
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Player of the Day: The day's honors go to two players who put up the exact same line in two completely different levels. Pawtucket first baseman Travis Shaw and GCL Red Sox third baseman Victor Acosta (Pictured) both were 3 for 4 with three runs scored, two doubles, one home run and five RBI. Shaw, 24, is hitting .266 with a .413 slugging in just over 100 at-bats in Pawtucket this season. Acosta, 18, hit .256 with a .415 slugging in 63 games in the DSL league last season. The GCL squad has played just four games this season.
Photo Credit: Travis Shaw and Victor Acosta by Kelly O'Connor.