June 29, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Salem, Greenville bullpens fall apart, Pawtucket wins in extras
6/29 Cup of Coffee: The common theme throughout the Red Sox’ minor league system on Sunday seemed to be drama. It took 11 innings for the PawSox to top the Braves for the only win in the Sox farm system. In Salem, a two-run lead disappeared very quickly as the Hillcats put up a six-run ninth, and in Greenville, the Drive were stunned as relievers allowed 10 runs over two innings. The Sea Dogs and Spinners were postponed on a soggy day in New England, and both teams are scheduled to play doubleheaders on Monday.
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It was an unconventional walk-off win, but the PawSox will take it, as Sean Coyle drew a walk with the bases loaded in the 11th inning to push across the winning run.The big story of the day, however, was Joe Kelly’s first start for the PawSox after being optioned to Pawtucket last week. Kelly was sharp, going seven innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and striking out four, allowing just one walk. Kelly threw 95 pitches with 59 going for strikes. Dayan Diaz was excellent in relief for the PawSox, tossing three shutout innings and permitting just one hit and two walks, striking out four. Noe Ramirez picked up his fourth win of the season with a perfect 11th.
Shane Victorino made his fourth rehab start and went 1 for 4 as the DH. Garin Cecchini drove in two runs with a 2-for-4 day after going hitless in his previous seven plate appearances. The left fielder reached base three times with a single, a double (his eighth of the season) and a walk. Jemile Weeks reached base four times, going 2 for 3 with a double and working two walks.
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Portland Sea Dogs, Reading Fightin’ Phils (PHI) - PPD
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The Red Sox headed into the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but reliever German Taveras imploded and gave up six runs on five hits (two home runs) and two walks after pitching a scoreless eighth. Coming into the outing, Taveras had allowed just one home run all year. The righty took his first loss of the season and saw his ERA jump from 3.74 to 5.05. Teddy Stankiewicz made the start for Salem and went seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks, fanning two. It was Stankiewicz’s longest start since he went eight innings back in May.
Salem scattered nine hits throughout their lineup. Tzu-Wei Lin went 2 for 4 with a double and RBI, and second baseman Wendell Rijo singled twice. Jordan Weems went 2 for 4 for the third straight day, as the catcher boosted his batting average from .265 to .298 over the course of just 12 at-bats.
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Greenville starter Jalen Beeks was very solid through his six innings of work on Sunday, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk.The Drive headed into the eighth with a 7-2 lead, but then things began to fall apart. Reliever Mario Alcantara a perfect seventh, but promptly allowed a single, walk and hit a batter to lead off the eighth. An error by center fielder Bryan Hudson allowed the first run to score, and Alcantara gave up a grand slam to the next batter. Carlos Pinales got out of the inning allowing just one more run, but allowed four more runs in the ninth and took the loss.
The Drive had a great day offensively. Yoan Moncada (pictured, above) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI atop the order and also stole two bases. Hudson, just promoted from Lowell, swiped three bases, went 3 for 5 with a double and scored two runs. Rafael Devers drove in three runs with three hits. Left fielder Mike Meyers doubled twice and drove in a run.
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Lowell Spinners, Vermont Lake Monsters - PPD
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Player of the Day: There were a few choices from the Greenville lineup that would have made sense, but Bryan Hudson had an impressive day at the plate, especially considering it was Hudson’s second day with the club. Hudson, who hit in all six games he played with the Spinners this season and left Lowell hitting .385, has four hits already in his eight at-bats with the Drive. The 20-year-old’s six stolen bases in just eight games this season suggests he’s a speed threat, but it’s not characteristic of Hudson, who swiped just six bases in 43 games in 2013 and stole eight in 52 games last season, but was also caught five times.
Photo credit: Yoan Moncada by Kelly O'Connor
Photo credit: Yoan Moncada by Kelly O'Connor