April 28, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Brentz homers in both ends of doubleheader
4/28 Cup of Coffee: Another day, another abbreviated schedule, as Portland had the day off, and it was Salem's turn to be postponed by rain. Pawtucket split its doubleheader after being rained out the last two days, as Bryce Brentz went deep in both contests. A quartet of Greenville hurlers surrendered only four hits as the Drive won their fifth straight.
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In the makeup of Tuesday's rainout, Pawtucket rallied twice but fell in the eighth inning. Brian Johnson made his first start since getting a win for the major league squad on April 18. The lefty allowed three runs on eight hits in five innings, striking out two and walking four. Bryce Brentz evened the game at 3-3 with a solo home run off of old friend Pat Light in the sixth. Deven Marrero singled in the third to halt a 1-for-28 skid.
After dropping the opener, the PawSox prevailed in the regularly-scheduled contest. Brentz blasted another solo shot, his third home run of the season, and Ryan Court also went deep for Pawtucket. Henry Owens turned in a strong outing, giving up a run on five hits in six innings. Most importantly for Owens, he issued only two walks. Brandon Workman earned his first professional save with a perfect seventh, his fourth consecutive scoreless outing to begin the 2017 season.
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Salem Red Sox vs. Lynchburg Hillcats, PPD
Thursday's daily rainout went to Salem, who will make up the contest with a doubleheader on June 4.
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The Drive prevailed in a sloppy game that saw a combined 13 runs on only 10 hits. Darwinzon Hernandez allowed four unearned runs in three innings, allowing only two hits but walking three, hitting two batters, and committing an error. Daniel Gonzalez continues his solid season, giving up a run on two hits in three innings. Stephen Nogosek picked up his sixth save with a scoreless ninth. At the plate, Nick Lovullo launched his first career home run, a three-run fourth inning blast that brought the Drive within one. Lorenzo Cedrola also had a pair of hits, and Roldani Baldwin collected his seventh double of the young year.
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Player of the Day: Bryce Brentz extended his hitting streak to eight games with a homer in both of the PawSox games. Despite the modest hitting streak, Brentz had not shown much power this season, but he raised his slugging percentage 100 points while doubling his 2017 extra-base hit total.
Photo Credit: Bryce Brentz by Kelly O'Connor