April 10, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Luis Aj. Basabe, Hernandez record three-hit games
4/10 Cup of Coffee: It was a day of rescheduling across the Red Sox' system as the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox played a double-header and the High-A Salem Red Sox were rained out. Pitching shined amongst Red Sox affiliates, highlighted by strong performances by Sean O'Sullivan (Pawtucket), Kevin McAvoy (Portland), and Logan Boyd (Greenville). There were also some excellent offensive outings, most notably from Luis Alejandro Basabe (pictured) and Marco Hernandez.
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Game One: Buffalo Bisons (TOR) 3, Pawtucket Red Sox 1
This game was the makeup for the PawSox' opener, which was rained out Thursday. Sean O'Sullivan was on the mound and provided a boost, submitting a complete-game performance (seven innings) and allowing three runs while striking out eight and walking none. Unfortunately, the PawSox offense was silent, managing one run. Left fielder Chris Marrero drove in first baseman Sam Travis in the fourth with a single. Pawtucket batters had only four hits for the game and struck out nine times. David Aardsma (TOR), who pitched out of Boston's bullpen in 2008, picked up the save for Buffalo.
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Game Two: Pawtucket Red Sox 4, Buffalo Bisons (TOR) 3
The second game of the double-header brought more excitement for the PawSox. Edwin Escobar started but was not particularly impressive, allowing three runs on five hits in four innings. However, the combination of some timely hitting and excellent relief by Robby Scott, who struck out a pair in three shutout innings, powered the PawSox' victory.
Pawtucket pushed its first runs across in the bottom of the first. Josh Rutledge and Marco Hernandez, who each had three hits, began the inning with a double and a triple, respectively. Hernandez then scored on an RBI single by Christian Vazquez, who is on a rehab assignment. Sam Travis drove in a run in the fifth with a single and smacked a walk-off single in the seventh.
Portland Sea Dogs 6, Reading Fightin Phils (PHI) 2
The Sea Dogs cruised in their third game of a four-game set. Kevin McAvoy was stellar for the Sea Dogs, allowing an earned run over five solid innings. He also induced six ground-ball outs. McAvoy turned the ball over to Portland's high-powered bullpen and watched Chandler Shepherd and Luis Ysla turn in a pair of scoreless innings each. In all, the Portland bullpen allowed three hits and walked four.
The Portland offense got going early, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning. The Sea Dogs added three more in the fourth on RBI singles by Mike Miller, Cole Sturgeon, and Jantzen Witte. Five players had multiple hits for the Sea Dogs, with Miller's 3-for-5 day leading the way. Rainel Rosario reached base four times from the cleanup spot and drove in a run.
Salem Red Sox vs. Carolina Mudcats (ATL) - PPD
The High-A Salem Red Sox had the third game of their series against the Mudcats postponed due to inclement weather. The makeup is scheduled as part a double-header on Sunday, with the first game starting at 2:05.
Greenville Drive 5, Asheville Tourists (COL) 2
Logan Boyd took the bump for the Drive and turned in five solid innings, allowing two runs and striking out five. Austin Glorius followed with a pair of scoreless innings and Bobby Poyner made a dominant appearance to close out the game, striking out five of six batters in two perfect innings.
The Drive got on the board with three runs in the third inning, including a two-run homer by Luis Alejandro Basabe. Greenville picked up two more runs in the seventh inning to ice the victory. Kyri Washington launched a homer and Luis Alejandro Basabe (3 for 4) added an RBI single. The Drive also received strong performances by Michael Chavis (2 for 4) and Mitchell Gunsolus (3 for 4).
Player of the Day: While outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe ranks among the SoxProspects.com top 10, it was his twin brother, Luis Alejandro Basabe, who powered Greenville to victory on Saturday night. Luis Alejandro Basabe, who started at shortstop, went 3 for 4 with a two-run homer and an RBI single. He doesn't have the high ceiling of his brother but he's a speedy infielder who could develop into an intriguing prospect.
Photo credit: Luis Alejandro Basabe by Kelly O'Connor