Cup of Coffee: Houck with a quality start; Duran hit streak up to 7 games

5/16 Cup of Coffee: Offensive challenges were aplenty for the affiliates, as none of the four teams in action recorded more than eight hits, leading to only one win on Wednesday. Tanner Houck issued a quality start to turn the tide after two poor outings, allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings of work. Devlin Granberg and Cole Brannen were the lone system-wide offensive highlights, as each had two extra-base hits. Granberg had a double and a triple, while Brannen had a pair of two-base hits.

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Columbus Clippers (CLE) 7, Pawtucket Red Sox 4

It was a bullpen day for the PawSox, as six pitchers entered the game for the Red Sox, including Brian Johnson, who threw 1 2/3 innings in a rehab appearance. Chandler Shepherd allowed three runs on five hits in his 2 1/3 innings. The PawSox only recorded a pair of base knocks, but they worked eight walks to score four runs. Five free passes and four runs came in the sixth for the home team. Brock Holt also started a rehab stint, hitting 0 for 3 with two strikeouts, while Josh Ockimey worked three walks on his own.

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Hartford Yard Goats (COL) 2, Portland Sea Dogs 1

Tanner Houck gave his team a chance to win, spinning 6 2/3 innings of two-run, six-hit ball. He struck out seven against two walks. Jordan Weems and Brian Ellington followed him up with 1 1/3 innings and one inning of no-hit ball, respectively. However, the offense could not take advantage of two Portland errors and only generated seven hits. CJ Chatham had two singles, while Bobby Dalbec recorded his 23rd RBI of the year.

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Fayetteville Woodpeckers (HOU) 6, Salem Red Sox 2

It was an uneven start for Daniel Gonzalez, who allowed six runs on six hits in six innings of work. Joan Martinez replaced him and kept the offense at bay, surrendering just one hit in his two shutout innings. Like those in the upper minors, Salem struggled to get the bats going. However, Jarren Duran punched out a single in the sixth inning to extend his hitting streak to seven games. His was one of just five hits on the night, including a Tanner Nishioka double. 

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Greenville Drive 6, Hickory Crawdads (TEX) 5
The Drive came out with the lone win for the system, despite just eight hits. Cole Brannen and Devlin Granberg each had two hits, the only multi-hit performances in the system. Granberg's triple was his third of the season, while Brannen drilled two doubles. Hunter Haworth and Yorvin Pantoja were uneven on the mound, allowing two runs and three runs, respectively in their outings. Pantoja walked four batters in 1 2/3 innings. Kris Jackson earned his first save of 2019, allowing two hits in 3 2/3 shutout innings. He struck out five and walked one.

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Player of the Night: The evening was short on strong performances, but Tanner Houck's start was the best on Wednesday. He gave Portland 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball and put the Sea Dogs in position to take a series victory over Hartford. Houck did not survive the third inning in his previous outing, but rebounded in a strong way. Houck could be a large part of the equation for Portland moving forward if he is able to continue to pitch well.

Photo Credit: Tanner Houck by Kelly O'Connor

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