April 25, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Lakins shoves, Drive bats come alive
4/25 Cup of Coffee: It was a slow day offensively for the Red Sox minor league affiliates, with the exception of the Drive. Marco Hernandez had a great day at the plate for Pawtucket to back Sean O'Sullivan's 10-strikeout performance, despite losing. Justin Haley, Travis Lakins, and Logan Boyd each provided solid outings on the bump, and Tate Matheny, Joseph Monge, and Josh Ockimey paced Greenville's offensive attack.
After being silenced through six innings, the PawSox offense rallied with three runs in the seventh to tie the game, but the IronPigs would respond with two of their own to win the game. PawSox starter Sean O'Sullivan pitched well, throwing 7 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits, 10 strikeouts, and just one walk. Wesley Wright threw the remaining 1 1/3 innings and surrendered one run while striking out two.
Marco Hernandez and Sandy Leon paced the PawSox offense, as they each went 3 for 4 with a double. Hernandez also stole his first base of the year.
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Justin Haley was a tough luck loser in this one, as he allowed just two runs over seven innings. He gave up four hits, one walk, and struck out seven. He now has a 3.44 ERA in four starts. Luis Ysla tossed a perfect inning and punched out two.
The Sea Dogs offense managed just six base runners, with four singles and two walks. Tzu-Wei Lin, Jose Vinicio, Tim Roberson, and Ali Solis all singled, with Roberson adding a base on balls.
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The Red Sox jumped out with three runs in the first inning, but were blanked after that. Luckily, Travis Lakins was up to the task, as he tossed 5 2/3 innings and allowed just one run (unearned). He gave up five hits, two walks, and struck out nine while lowering his ERA to 2.33. Jamie Callahan pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings and Taylor Grover picked up the two-inning save, allowing one run.
Yoan Moncada, Deiner Lopez, and Andrew Benintendi each went 1 for 4, but their hits came in succession to open the first inning, which ultimately led to three runs. Nick Longhi added a single and a walk and Bryan Hudson went 2 for 3.
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Unlike the other three affiliates, the Drive bats provided some noise, banging out 11 hits and five runs. Joseph Monge went 3 for 5 out of the leadoff spot, and Tate Matheny went 3 for 4 with a walk, an RBI, and a run out of the number three slot in the order. Josh Ockimey tripled and drove in two runs as part of a 2 for 5 day and Jeremy Rivera went 2 for 3 with a walk.
Logan Boyd pitched very well for Greenville on the way to his third victory of the season. He allowed just one run on five hits and he did not walk anybody while striking out five. Jake Cosart and Bobby Poyner provided some dominant relief for Greenville, as they each threw two shutout innings to close out the game. Cosart struck out two and Poyner set down four by way of the K.
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Player of the Night: Travis Lakins continued his recent success yesterday afternoon with 5 2/3 solid innings. It was the third straight start in which he went at least five innings and allowed one earned run or fewer. The 2015 sixth round draft pick is ranked 10th at SoxProsepcts.com and is now 2-1 with a 2.33 ERA on the young season. He also has 23 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.
Photo Credit: Travis Lakins by Kelly O'Connor