May 20, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Cannon stays hot; Jimenez extends streak
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A more subdued affair followed Tuesday's offensive fireworks, as Worcester managed just one run on six hits while striking out 15 times. Catcher Chris Herrmann provided the WooSox scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Stephen Gonsalves continues to scuffle with his command while proving difficult to hit. He surrendered three runs despite giving up just two hits through his five innings while striking out eight. The left-hander walked four batters and hit another, needing 93 pitches to get through those five frames. Through three starts on the young season, Gonsalves has allowed more runs (8) than hits (7). At the plate, Danny Santana continues to show he is nearly ready for his return to the majors, going 2 for 4 with a double. Yesterday's Player of the Day is 9 for 20 since arriving in Triple-A.
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Red Sox-affiliated teams took two out of three from their Blue Jay counterparts, as Portland joined the major league squad in the winner's circle. Enmanuel De Jesus got the spot start in place of Thaddeus Ward, who was placed on the injured list earlier in the day. De Jesus allowed one run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out seven against just two walks. Matt Kent was outstanding in relief, giving up just one hit in four shutout innings to earn the win. Johan Mieses blasted his seventh homer of the season, while Roldani Baldwin was 2 for 3 with a walk. New Hampshire pitching managed to hold Triston Casas hitless, snapping a seven-game hitting streak.
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A Tyreque Reed first-inning homer gave Greenville an early lead but little went right for the Drive from then on. Chris Murphy surrendered five runs, three coming on solo homers, in 4 2/3 innings of work. Oddanier Mosqueda and Yorvin Pantoja threw a scoreless inning of relief apiece. Cameron Cannon continues to be red-hot. Boston's top pick in the 2019 draft was 3 for 4 with an RBI, lifting his average to .347. Kole Cottam also reached base three times as he singled, walked, and was hit by a pitch.
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Salem was able to take advantage of a reeling Fredericksburg squad, as the Nats dropped their 14th straight game to start the season. Starter Bradley Blalock went three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out four, and walking two. Jorge Rodriguez was outstanding in a piggyback role, scattering two hits across four scoreless innings. Rodriguez struck out four and walked two. Devon Roedahl finished with two scoreless frames to notch the save. Jaxx Groshans led the way at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Nick Yorke broke out of a 1-for-17 skid with his first multi-hit game since May 6, going 2 for 4, scoring one run, and driving in another. Gilberto Jimenez's hitting streak appeared to be in jeopardy, but the Salem centerfielder singled in the ninth to extend it to 10 straight games.
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Player of the Day: Cameron Cannon led the NCAA in doubles on his way to Boston making him the 43rd overall pick in the 2019 draft. He struggled in his professional debut, getting hurt after signing and then hitting just .205/.289/.335 in 170 with Lowell. The former Arizona Wildcat has turned things around in the early part of the season, delivering three hits for Greenville for his seventh multi-hit effort in 13 games. Cannon is 11 for 23 in his last five, bringing his season line to .347/.407/.653.
Photo Credit: Cameron Cannon by Kelly O'Connor