April 29, 2016 at 7:30 AM
Cup of Coffee: E-Rod rehabs, Ball debuts, Benintendi big again
4/29 Cup of Coffee: It was a night light on games, but not on intrigue as Eduardo Rodriguez began his rehab stint with Pawtucket and Trey Ball made his 2016 debut for Salem. But it was Andrew Benintendi (pictured) once again coming up big in a comeback win for the High-A Red Sox.
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It was a rocky start to 2016 for Eduardo Rodriguez who made his first rehab start for the PawSox. The 23-year-old Venezuelan threw 75 pitches, lasting just 3 2/3 innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits, walking three and striking out two. According to multiple reports on Twitter, Rodriguez will have at least one more rehab start - possibly two - before rejoining the Boston rotation. Keith Couch threw 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep the PawSox within striking distance, but the bats went cold. Rusney Castillo drove in Pawtucket's only run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. A third inning rally was snuffed out when Ryan LaMarre was gunned down at the plate trying to score. Blake Swihart and Sam Travis were both held hitless. The former also played his first game in the outfield as a professional, starting in left field.
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A late rally and some clutch hitting from Andrew Benintendi lifted Salem to a series win over Frederick after the Sox had trailed 3-0 and 4-2. Benintendi cut the deficit to one with an RBI single in the seventh, then came up huge with a bases-clearing double in the eighth. Nick Longhi provided the game-tying hit in the seventh. Yoan Moncada reached base three times with a hit and two walks, raising his OBP to .456. He also scored twice and stole his 14th base of the season. Somewhat lost in the dramatic comeback was the first start of the season for Trey Ball. The 2013 first-round draft pick threw 79 pitches in four innings of work. He allowed two runs on three hits, while walking three and striking out five.
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Greenville Drive vs. Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL) - Cancelled
The Drive were rained out against Delmarva. The game will not be made up as the two teams do not meet again this season, according to a team tweet.
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Player of the Night: For the second time in as many nights, Andrew Benintendi gets the honor with his clutch four-RBI night. While the Arkansas product just hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday, he has had no problem racking up extra base hits so far with an eye-opening .642 slugging percentage. Kevin Burke, a Salem Red Sox reporter, tweeted out last night that Benintendi went an incredible 48 swings in a row without missing over a 12-day span.
Photo Credit: Andrew Benintendi by Kelly O'Connor
Photo Credit: Andrew Benintendi by Kelly O'Connor