May 9, 2015 at 7:39 AM
Cup of Coffee: Buttrey continues hot start
5/9 Cup of Coffee: Offense was at a premium as the affiliates managed to score only three runs between all four teams. The PawSox were shut out, while both Portland and Greenville fell by four. Salem only managed to score one run, but it would be enough thanks to a brilliant start from Ty Buttrey(pictured).
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Eduardo Rodriguez took home his first loss of the year, as the PawSox were unable to muster much in the way offense against the Clippers. Rodriguez went five innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven. Dalier Hinojosa followed with two scoreless frames while Jess Todd allowed two runs on one hit and three walks in just one inning of work. Not much went right for Pawtucket's offense, as they managed only four hits, and Jemile Weeks was the only batter to advance past first thanks to a fourth-inning double. Jackie Bradley Jr., Rusney Castillo, and Humberto Quintero all had singles for Pawtucket.
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Pitching struggled mightily for the Sea Dogs, as not one of their three hurlers managed to avoid surrendering at least one run. Luis Diaz was tagged with the loss, his third of the season, despite allowing only two runs on two hits and a walk while punching out seven in only four innings of work. Simon Mercedes then surrendered another two runs in three innings pitched, allowing three hits and walking one while failing to record a strikeout. Dayan Diaz closed out the final two frames, allowing a run on a hit and a walk while striking out four.
The Sea Dogs' offense mustered seven hits, spread out between just four of their starting nine. Mike Miller, Carlos Asuaje, and Oscar Tejada all went 2 for 4 with Miller and Asuaje each lacing a double. Blake Tekotte added the only other base hit for Portland. Shane Victorino went 0 for 3 to begin his minor league rehab assignment.
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The Red Sox picked up the win behind a dazzling performance from Ty Buttrey. Buttrey went the first seven innings, striking out six and allowing only three hits to notch his second win of the year. Jorge Marban came on in relief and earned the save with two innings of one-hit baseball. Offense was largely quiet for the Red Sox as they managed only five hits off of the Mudcats. Jose Vinicio went 2 for 3 while Jordan Betts, Mario Martinez, and Franklin Guzman each tallied a base knock of their own.
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Dedgar Jimenez was the victim of some bad luck as he took home his first loss of the season. In four innings pitched, Jiminez gave up four runs (one earned) on seven hits while the defense committed three errors behind him. William Jerez and Mario Alcantara came on in relief and combined to allow only one hit and one walk while striking out eight in the final five innings. The Drive offense was held in check as they managed only three hits on the night. Cisco Tellez, who committed two of the three errors, collected two of Greenville's three hits and scored their only run. Jordan Procyshen, who committed Greenville's other error, also accounted for their third hit of the game.
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Player of the Night: On a night when outstanding performances were few and far between, Ty Buttrey takes home the honours thanks to his dominating outing against Carolina. Buttrey lowered his ERA to 2.25 with the Red Sox thanks to his seven-inning effort. Buttrey is now 2-0 for Salem after a promotion from Greenville on the first of May.
Photo credit: Ty Buttrey by Kelly O'Connor