May 28, 2016 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Almonte throws six no-hit innings
Cup of Coffee 5/28: It was a tough Friday night for Red Sox affiliates, with Greenville being the only victorious team in the system. It was a night of particularly poor offensive performances as the Drive's three runs were the most of any affiliate. Teddy Stankiewicz and Trey Ball turned in decent starts on the mound but were overshadowed by Jose Almonte, who threw six no-hit innings for Greenville.
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The PawSox bats were unable to generate much offense against one of Pittsburgh's top prospects, Tyler Glasnow. Both of Pawtucket's runs came in the fourth inning on a two-run double by Bryce Brentz, scoring Ryan LaMarre and Sam Travis. Brentz, who was 2 for 4, was the offensive standout for the PawSox.
William Cuevas started and turned in a solid but unspectacular performance on the hill. Cuevas allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits in five innings, striking out four and walking two. Roman Mendez allowed a run in two innings of relief while Anthony Varvaro tossed two scoreless frames.
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Teddy Stankiewicz took the mound for the Sea Dogs on Friday night and continued his solid season. He allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings, striking out three and walking three. Stankiewicz is pitching to a 3.25 ERA this season, sporting a 31/15 K/BB in 52 2/3 innings pitched. Williams Jerez was strong in relief, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings and punching out two batters. Chandler Shepherd followed him with 2/3 of an inning, walking one and striking out one.
Portland scored their first run on a groundout by Andrew Benintendi in the sixth inning and their second on a forceout by Tzu-Wei Lin in the seventh. Henry Ramos was 2 for 4 from the leadoff spot and is now slashing .276/.338/.403 this season. Sean Coyle was 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.
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Trey Ball made his sixth start of the season for Salem on Friday night, lasting five innings while allowing four runs (two earned). Ball struck out five, walking three and allowing five hits, raising his ERA to 2.12 this season. Austin Maddox closed out the final three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out two batters.
The Salem lineup was stymied by Indians prospect Justus Sheffield, picking up just five hits. Mauricio Dubon was 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored but left after just two at-bats. Yoan Moncada was 1 for 4 at the plate and made a pair of errors.
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The Drive picked up the Red Sox organization's only win on Friday night, receiving a dominant performance from Jose Almonte. Almonte allowed no hits or runs in six innings of work, striking out five and walking two. Anyelo LeClerc allowed a run in two innings of relief, striking out two and walking none. Bobby Poyner continued his excellent season, striking out a batter in a perfect inning and dropping his ERA to 0.38 in 24 innings pitched.
Greenville scored their first run on a sacrifice fly by Kyri Washington in the third inning. The Drive then scored two more in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Tate Matheny and an RBI double by Josh Ockimey. Leadoff hitter Luis Alejandro Basabe was 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored.
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Player of the Night: Jose Almonte made a dominant start for Greenville, holding the Rome Braves hitless over six innings. This was only Almonte's third start with the Drive and he lowered his ERA to 2.25 with a 13/6 K/BB in 16 innings pitched. Almonte throws a fastball in the high-80's and mixes in a curve and a change, each of which has some potential.
Photo credit: Jose Almonte by Kelly O'Connor