Cup of Coffee: FCL Red Sox still seeking first win

7/6 Cup of Coffee: It has been a rough start to the inaugural Florida Complex League for Boston's affiliate. The Sox managed just two hits while falling to 0-5. On the bright side, the team will soon be having some Monday baseball company, as the Dominican Summer League is scheduled to start play on July 12. 

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FCL Pirates Gold 5, FCL Red Sox 1

Little went right on Monday, as the Pirates plated five runs in the second inning while the Sox did not record their first hit until the sixth. Wilkelman Gonzalez got through a scoreless first and retired the first batter he faced in the second, but he was reached for six consecutive base hits, resulting in five runs and running him from the contest. In all, he allowed seven hits in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking one. The bullpen submitted a strong effort with 7 2/3 scoreless innings. Miguel Suero surrendered an inherited runner, but did not allow a run of his own in 2 2/3, striking out three without issuing a walk. Bryan Lucas (pictured) hurled three scoreless frames, while Merfy Andrew and Joey Stock submitted one apiece. 

Offense was hard to come by for the Sox. Freddy Valdez led off the sixth inning with a walk and came around to score on a double by Jonathan Diaz, the team's first hit of the night. An eighth-inning single by Valdez was the Sox only other hit. 

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Player of the Day: Bryan Lucas rebounded from a tough 2021 debut to turn in three innings of scoreless relief. He gave up just two hits, striking out two without walking a batter. The 23-year old from the Dominican Republic worked largely as a starter for Lowell in 2019, posting a 5.47 ERA and striking out 44 batters in 54 1/3 innings.

Photo Credit: Bryan Lucas by Kelly O'Connor

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