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May 20, 2015 at 7:00 AM

Cup of Coffee: Johnson goes six strong, Moncada picks up first hit


5/20 Cup of Coffee: Portland and Greenville combined to score 29 runs, while Brian Johnson had another good outing for the PawSox. Some shaky Salem defense did not help Trey Ball, as the left-hander fell to 2-4 on the year. The slugfest in Greenville included Yoan Moncada's first professional hit, but that was overshadowed by a rare feat from Javier Guerra (pictured)

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Brian Johnson turned in another good start to lead the PawSox to their 23rd win. Johnson went the first six innings, allowing only one run and one walk while striking out two. He gave up eight hits, including four to the first four batters, but he was able to get out of a couple jams, as the Indians left nine men on base. Dalier Hinojosa held the Indians scoreless over his two innings, and Zeke Spruill notched his second save with a scoreless ninth. 

The PawSox only had four hits, but thanks to five walks and an error they were able to push across a couple extra runs. Deven Marrero, Garin Cecchini, and Jeff Bianchi all went 1 for 3 with a walk, with Marrero's hit going for a triple. Cecchini added his fourth steal, and Bryce Brentz cut down a run with an outfield assist at the plate. 

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The Sea Dogs scored in all but one inning, slugging their way to a victory. Every player reached base at least once, and Luis Martinez and Blake Tekotte each reached base four times. Martinez and Keury De La Cruz each hit two doubles, while Tekotte, Mike Miller, and Carlos Asuaje all had triples. Oscar Tejeda, who was recently named Eastern League Player of the Week as well as SoxProspects.com Player of the Week, connected on his first home of the season. 

The offensive fireworks covered for a poor pitching performance, as Luis Diaz gave up seven runs on nine hits in only four innings. Mike McCarthy pitched will in relief, tossing three innings of one-run ball as he evened his record to 3-3. Madison Younginer gave up two runs in his lone inning of work, and Pat Light walked the bases loaded but was able to strike out two to close it out. 

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Salem was held to just one run for the second straight game, failing to provide Trey Ball with any support. Ball was a tough-luck loser as he allowed one earned run over five innings, with the lone run scoring on a home run by Bradley Zimmer. He allowed two unearned runs in the fifth after a two-out error extended the inning and ultimately ended his night. He walked one, struck out two, and induced 11 groundouts. 

Tzu-Wei Lin and Sam Travis hit back-to-back doubles to put Salem on the board in the eighth, but that was all they would get. Wendell Rijo has been on fire since he came off the disabled list, and that continued last night as he went 2 for 4 with two doubles. Kevin Heller had the only other offensive performance of note, going 1 for 2 with two walks. 

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The Drive scored all 15 of their runs in the first five innings, and seven of those runs were unearned as the Legends committed five errors. Jordan Procyshen went 3 for 3 with a walk, and Yoan Moncada got his first professional hit on an infield single to third base. Moncada went 1 for 5 with two strikeouts while committing his second error in as many games. The most exciting play of the game came with two outs in the second inning, as the Drive executed a double steal, with Joseph Monge swiping second base while Javier Guerra stole home. 

The Greenville pitching staff was staked to an early lead and never gave it up. Dedgar Jimenez went the first five innings allowing three runs, and Jamie Callahan followed with three shutout innings. The appearance was Callahan's second out of the bullpen, and he has not allowed a run over five innings in those games. 

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Player of the Night: Luis Martinez entered the game batting only .190, but the Portland catcher had a big night on Tuesday, going 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, and three runs driven in. Martinez is now in his sixth organization since 2011, and the 30-year-old provides good organizational depth at a position that quickly has become rather thin for the Red Sox.

Photo Credit: Javier Guerra by Kelly O'Connor