May 16, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Roberson hits for the cycle, Owens has impressive start
5/16 Cup of Coffee: It was a night for extra baseball as three of the nights four games went into extra innings. Pawtucket wasted a fantastic pitching performance, Portland was lifted by a truly special offensive performance, and Salem scratched back from an early hole for a victory. Greenville, the only team not to go into extra innings, picked up a victory despite not having their best night at the plate.
-----
The PawSox bullpen allowed a 5-0 lead to evaporate and wasted a great outing by Henry Owens as they fell to the Clippers in 13 innings. The aforementioned Owens had arguably his best start of 2015, allowing just three hits and a walk while striking out five in six innings. Jonathan Aro's first appearance in a Pawtucket uniform did not go the way he planned, as he allowed three runs on four hits in two innings of relief. Dalier Hinojosa was charged with a blown save when he allowed two runs to score in the ninth. Dayan Diaz pitched well in relief, but allowed the winning run to score in the 13th and took the loss.
Rusney Castillo was the offensive star of the game for Pawtucket, going 3 for 5 with a double, two home runs and four RBI. Allen Craig was 2 for 6 with a pair of doubles. The PawSox were 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position and left ten men on base, including the potential tying run in the bottom of the 13th.
-----
Offense was the name of the game as the Sea Dogs and Rock Cats combined for 32 hits and 24 runs Friday night. Portland starter Mike McCarthy was torched for seven runs on nine hits in just 2 2/3 innings of work. Joe Gunkel followed McCarthy and allowed three runs on six hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings. Pat Light picked up the victory, hurling a scoreless 1 2/3 innings of relief, striking out three.
Mike Miller was 2 for 5 with a solo home run in the first inning. Tim Roberson (pictured, above) had a huge night, becoming just the third player in Sea Dogs history to hit for the cycle. Roberson, who was 4 for 6 with 6 RBI, had a grand slam in the seventh inning and a triple to bring home the winning run in the 10th inning. Oscar Tejeda continued to be hot at the plate, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Tejeda has had multiple hits in 10 of his last 14 games.
Mike Miller was 2 for 5 with a solo home run in the first inning. Tim Roberson (pictured, above) had a huge night, becoming just the third player in Sea Dogs history to hit for the cycle. Roberson, who was 4 for 6 with 6 RBI, had a grand slam in the seventh inning and a triple to bring home the winning run in the 10th inning. Oscar Tejeda continued to be hot at the plate, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Tejeda has had multiple hits in 10 of his last 14 games.
-----
Teddy Stankiewicz hurled seven solid innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits, striking out three. German Taveras was stellar in relief, allowing a pair of hits and a pair of walks in his three innings of relief. Austin Maddox picked up his sixth save with a scoreless 11th inning.
Finding themselves in a 3-0 hole in the eighth, the Red Sox took advantage of two throwing errors and RBI singles from Tzu-Wei Lin and Kevin Heller to pull to within one. In the ninth, Mario Martinez knocked in Wendell Rijo to tie the game 3-3. Salem had the bases loaded with one out, but failed to bring home the winning run. Jake Romanski brought home the winning run with an RBI double in the 11th. A fielding error by former Red Sox farmhand Cleuluis Rondon allowed two more runs to score and put the game out of reach.
Finding themselves in a 3-0 hole in the eighth, the Red Sox took advantage of two throwing errors and RBI singles from Tzu-Wei Lin and Kevin Heller to pull to within one. In the ninth, Mario Martinez knocked in Wendell Rijo to tie the game 3-3. Salem had the bases loaded with one out, but failed to bring home the winning run. Jake Romanski brought home the winning run with an RBI double in the 11th. A fielding error by former Red Sox farmhand Cleuluis Rondon allowed two more runs to score and put the game out of reach.
-----
It was a good night for Greenville pitching, as Jalen Beeks tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits, on the way to his third win of the season. Mario Alcantara added two innings of relief, allowing just his second run all season on a solo home run.
Mauricio Dubon was 2 for 4 with a double in the victory. Jordan Procyshen was also 2 for 4 and knocked in one of the five Greenville runs. The Drive were just 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and struck out 11 times.
Mauricio Dubon was 2 for 4 with a double in the victory. Jordan Procyshen was also 2 for 4 and knocked in one of the five Greenville runs. The Drive were just 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and struck out 11 times.
-----
Player of the Night: Becoming just the third player to hit for the cycle in Sea Dogs team history, Tim Roberson carried Portland to victory on Friday. The 25-year-old catcher was 4 for 6 with a double, triple, grand slam and 6 runs batted in. His triple in the 10th inning brought home the winning run. The big night at the plate leaves Roberson with a .323/.344/.516 line with a home run and seven RBI in 8 games for the Sea Dogs this season.
Photo Credit: Tim Roberson by Kelly O'Connor