Cup of Coffee: Gunkel grabs first Double-A win, Craig reaches five times

5/22 Cup of Coffee: Joe Gunkel collected a victory in his first start for Portland while Pawtucket lost a slugfest, despite a huge night from Allen Craig (pictured, left). Salem out-hit their opponent, but lost by six runs. Greenville took home the win behind strong outings from Denny Bautista and Williams Jerez.

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Louisville Bats (CIN) 6, Pawtucket Red Sox 5 (10 inn.)
It was a frustrating night for the PawSox, dropping a slugfest against Louisville. Pawtucket knocked out 14 hits, but left a whopping 15 men on base. There was plenty of blame to go around as Bryce Brentz (1 for 5, RBI) stranded six men, while Rusney Castillo (1 for 6, RBI), Travis Shaw (2 for 6) and Deven Marrero (1 for 5) left five on. Allen Craig raised his slash line since being demoted to Triple A, reaching base five times in a 3-for-5 night with two walks. Jess Todd labored through 6 2/3 innings pitched, allowing five earned runs and striking out a pair. Heath Hembree allowed the walk-off single in the tenth.

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Portland Sea Dogs 4, Altoona Curve (PIT) 1
Joe Gunkel dominated right-handed hitters and survived the lefties to pick up his first win in Double-A. Gunkel gave up six hits and one earned run in five innings pitched, striking out six and walking four. According to SoxProspects.com Executive Editor Chris Hatfield, righties went 3 for 14 against Gunkel while lefties went 3 for 6 with three walks. Simon Mercedes allowed only one hit in two innings of work. Jorge Marban picked up the six-out save, striking out three. Tim Roberson and Jantzen Witte each had multi-hit games.

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Lynchburg Hillcats (CLE) 10, Salem Red Sox 4
It was a strange line on the scoreboard for Salem on Thursday, as the Red Sox out-hit Lynchburg 11-9, but lost by six runs. A six-run third inning ultimately did in Salem with Kevin McAvoy allowing all six of those runs. Taylor Grover kept Salem within striking distance with 4 1/3 stellar innings of no-hit relief, striking out seven along the way. Lynchburg put the game out of reach in the late innings, touching up Kuehl McEachern for four runs. Mario Martinez and Aneury Tavarez  provided all the offense for Salem, driving in two runs each.

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Greenville Drive 8, Charleston RiverDogs (NYY) 0
The Drive pounded out 10 hits in a blowout victory in which Yoan Moncada went 1 for 3 and played errorless ball in the field after a rough start this week. Jordan Procyshen went 2 for 5 with two RBI and a run scored. He has reached base safely in nine of his last ten games. Shortstop Javier Guerra provided the big blow with a bases-clearing triple in the eighth. 

Journeyman right-hander Denny Bautista picked up his second victory in as many games for Greenville, hurling six scoreless innings, striking out two and walking none. Williams Jerez picked up the three-inning save.

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Player of the Night: Allen Craig, trying to raise his stock since being demoted to Triple-A, reached base five times in Pawtucket's loss. The former National League All-Star raised his average from .250 to .306 with the big night as he battles back towards the Majors.

Photo Credit: Allen Craig by Kelly O'Connor

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