April 18, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Ball stymies Mudcats, Brentz leads Pawtucket past Rochester
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Pawtucket Red Sox 6, Rochester Red Wings (MIN) 4
An offensive charge in the later innings helped the PawSox secure their second straight over the Red Wings. Henry Owens tossed just 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on three hits and six walks, striking out four. The left-hander was cruising until the fifth inning, when he walked three straight hitters before giving up a grand slam. Zeke Spruill added 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Dalier Hinojosa picked up the victory for his two innings of scoreless work out of the bullpen. Tommy Layne, in his first appearance since being optioned from Boston, pitched the ninth inning to pick up the save.
Brentz remained hot at the plate, hitting a key two-run home run in the seventh, which put Pawtucket up for good. Sean Coyle added a solo home run and Blake Swihart had a pair of RBI singles. The PawSox will look for the series sweep this afternoon.
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Trenton Thunder (NYY) 7, Portland Sea Dogs 0
The Sea Dogs were just 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and could not stop the Thunder's offense as they dropped their second straight game. Mike Augliera fell to 0-2 as he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Augliera did not allow a walk and struck out five. Kyle Martin had a rough outing in relief, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in an inning of work.
Jantzen Witte was 3 for 4 with three singles and Luis Martinez was 2 for 4 with a double to lead the Portland offense.
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Salem Red Sox 6, Carolina Mudcats (ATL) 4
Trey Ball (pictured, right) was fantastic in his second start of the season, allowing only two walks and striking out five in six innings. The left-hander was in total control from the outset, not allowing a base runner until there was two outs in the fourth inning. German Taveras allowed two runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings of relief while Austin Maddox pitched a clean 1 2/3 innings to collect his first save of 2015.
Oscar Tejada was clutch with men in scoring position, bringing home Manuel Margot after his first inning triple, and lacing an RBI double in the fifth which plated Sam Travis. Travis added an RBI double in the seventh, where the Red Sox also received a Mario Martinez solo home run and a run scoring wild pitch.
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Asheville Tourists (COL) vs. Greenville Drive - PPD
Friday's contest between the Drive and the Asheville Tourists was postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader this evening beginning at 6:05 PM.
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Player of the Night: After a rocky first start of the season against Carolina, Trey Ball redeemed himself against the same team on Friday, tossing six no-hit innings on the way to his first victory. The 20-year-old Ball allowed just two walks and struck out five as he was in clear command. The left-hander is looking to build on a solid second half of 2014 that saw him go 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 13 starts for Greenville.
Photo Credit: Bryce Brentz & Trey Ball by Kelly O'Connor
An offensive charge in the later innings helped the PawSox secure their second straight over the Red Wings. Henry Owens tossed just 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on three hits and six walks, striking out four. The left-hander was cruising until the fifth inning, when he walked three straight hitters before giving up a grand slam. Zeke Spruill added 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Dalier Hinojosa picked up the victory for his two innings of scoreless work out of the bullpen. Tommy Layne, in his first appearance since being optioned from Boston, pitched the ninth inning to pick up the save.
Brentz remained hot at the plate, hitting a key two-run home run in the seventh, which put Pawtucket up for good. Sean Coyle added a solo home run and Blake Swihart had a pair of RBI singles. The PawSox will look for the series sweep this afternoon.
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Trenton Thunder (NYY) 7, Portland Sea Dogs 0
The Sea Dogs were just 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, and could not stop the Thunder's offense as they dropped their second straight game. Mike Augliera fell to 0-2 as he allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings. Augliera did not allow a walk and struck out five. Kyle Martin had a rough outing in relief, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in an inning of work.
Jantzen Witte was 3 for 4 with three singles and Luis Martinez was 2 for 4 with a double to lead the Portland offense.
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Salem Red Sox 6, Carolina Mudcats (ATL) 4
Trey Ball (pictured, right) was fantastic in his second start of the season, allowing only two walks and striking out five in six innings. The left-hander was in total control from the outset, not allowing a base runner until there was two outs in the fourth inning. German Taveras allowed two runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings of relief while Austin Maddox pitched a clean 1 2/3 innings to collect his first save of 2015.Oscar Tejada was clutch with men in scoring position, bringing home Manuel Margot after his first inning triple, and lacing an RBI double in the fifth which plated Sam Travis. Travis added an RBI double in the seventh, where the Red Sox also received a Mario Martinez solo home run and a run scoring wild pitch.
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Asheville Tourists (COL) vs. Greenville Drive - PPD
Friday's contest between the Drive and the Asheville Tourists was postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader this evening beginning at 6:05 PM.
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Player of the Night: After a rocky first start of the season against Carolina, Trey Ball redeemed himself against the same team on Friday, tossing six no-hit innings on the way to his first victory. The 20-year-old Ball allowed just two walks and struck out five as he was in clear command. The left-hander is looking to build on a solid second half of 2014 that saw him go 4-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 13 starts for Greenville.
Photo Credit: Bryce Brentz & Trey Ball by Kelly O'Connor