June 11, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Howlett ropes three doubles, Duran goes deep
6/11 Cup of Coffee: The WooSox, Sea Dogs, and Drive all received very solid starting pitching performances from Daniel Gossett, Josh Winckowski, and Brian Van Belle. Brandon Howlett (pictured) had a monster game at the plate for Greenville with three extra-base hits, and Jarren Duran went deep for Worcester.
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Jarren Duran belted his first home run since coming back from Team USA, a two-run blast in the third. All the Sox runs came via the home run, as their other three runs came on a three-run homer by Jonathan Arauz. Yairo Munoz also had a big night at the plate, going 3 for 4. Daniel Gossett delivered a solid start, lasting the first 5 2/3 innings while allowing just two runs on five hits. The bullpen did not allow a run, as Austin Brice struck out three in 1 1/3 frames, and Matt Hall and Kaleb Ort each tossed a scoreless inning.
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Josh Winckowski bounced back from his first tough outing of the year, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and just one walk. Tyler Olson also had a good night on the bump, tossing two scoreless frames with three strikeouts, no walks, and no hits allowed. Tate Matheny and Pedro Castellanos each had productive nights at the plate, each going 2 for 3 with a walk, with Matheny roping a triple. Joey Meneses knocked in a pair with a single and also drew a walk. Hudson Potts, ranked 22nd in the system, made his 2021 debut after spending the first part of the season on the injured list with an oblique strain. Potts got the start at third base, going 0 for 4.
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Brandon Howlett led the way in this one, going 4 for 4 with three doubles. The 21-year old is now up to .283 with an .875 OPS on the year. Cole Brannen went 2 for 4, Cameron Cannon singled and drove in a run, and Tyler Esplin reached twice with a base hit and a walk. Brian Van Belle pitched a very clean game, allowing just two hits and no walks with no runs allowed through the first five innings. Zach Bryant and Brendan Cellucci each threw a scoreless inning, with Bryant punching out a pair.
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Ryan Zeferjahn struggled a bit in this one, allowing four runs in just 3 1/3 innings on five hits and three walks. Robert Kwiatkowski and Cody Scroggins were nails out of the bullpen, as Kwiatkowski went 2 2/3 innings without allowing a run with two strikeouts, and Scroggins went two scoreless innings and also struck out a pair.
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Player of the Day: Brandon Howlett snapped out of a 2-for-17 slump with a four-hit, three-double performance. The 2018 21st round selection reached double digits in doubles, with 10. He also upped his OBP to a very impressive .390.
Photo Credit: Brandon Howlett by Kelly O'Connor