July 2, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rosario wins it for Portland, Reed belts two homers
7/2 Cup of Coffee: The Drive broke out with 16 runs behind Tyreque Reed's huge offensive night. Jeisson Rosario (pictured) hit a game-winning home run for Portland in their seven-inning win. Rain was an issue yet again, as Portland's second game was postponed and Worcester's regularly scheduled game was called after five innings. Marcus Wilson went deep again for Worcester and Brayan Bello pitched well again for Portland.
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This game picked up in the second inning after it was suspended yesterday due to rain. Jarren Duran's RBI fielder's choice in the second inning yesterday was changed to a single, making him 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs. Marcus Wilson belted his ninth home run of the season, and Chris Herrmann went 3 for 4 with his fifth long ball. Franchy Cordero added a pair of knocks. Raynel Espinal picked up where Stephen Gonsalves left off with five innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts and four walks. Brandon Brennan punched out two in the eighth inning and Kaleb Ort closed it out with a scoreless ninth.
Unfortunately for Worcester, this game was called after five innings, not allowing the Sox a chance at a comeback. Jack Lopez doubled and Yairo Munoz singled for Worcester's only two hits. Munoz also stole a bag. Sox pitching also only gave up two hits, as John Schreiber tossed two scoreless innings to start without allowing a hit and striking out two. Matt Hall was the tough-luck loser, as he allowed one run in two innings with three strikeouts. Austin Brice added a scoreless frame.
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Jeisson Rosario played hero in this one with a clutch go-ahead three-run shot in the seventh inning. It was Rosario's first home run of the year. Pedro Castellanos had a huge game, going 3 for 4 with a solo shot in the sixth inning. Triston Casas picked up two singles in four trips and also swiped his third bag of the year. Brayan Bello had a nice night on the mound, surrendering two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and no free passes. Jose Adames struck out the only hitter he faced, while Jake Thompson and Zack Kelly each tossed a scoreless frame with one strikeout.
Portland Sea Dogs @ New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR), postponed (Game 2)
Game two of the double dip was postponed due to rain and will be played tomorrow as part of a doubleheader beginning at 5:00 P.M.
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Tyreque Reed led the Drive 18-hit attack by going 3 for 5 with two home runs, five RBI, a walk, and three runs scored. He now has 13 home runs this year and five in four games. Cameron Canning also belted a home run and drove in three. Tyler Dearden went 2 for 3 with a double, four RBI, and three walks. Dominic D'Alessandro had three hits, while Elih Marrero, Ricardo Cubillan, and Nick Sogard each picked up two hits. Yusniel Padron-Artilles pitched pretty well, allowing three earned runs in 5/23 innings with six strikeouts and just one walk. Zach Bryant pitched two clean innings, not allowing a run with three stakeouts and no walks. Brendan Cellucci punched out the side in order in the ninth.
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Jeremy Wu-Yelland struggled in this start, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits with just two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. Casey Cobb picked him up with 3 1/3 impressive innings. He struck out three, had no walks, and allowed just one hit and no runs. At the plate, Nick Northcut went 1 for 4 with his sixth home run, and Matthew Lugo went deep as well as part of a 2-for-4 showing. Jecorrah Arnold ripped a triple and Nick Yorke went 2 for 3 with a walk.
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The Sox got a very good start from Chih-Jung Liu, who gave up two runs in five innings but struck out six and did not walk anybody. Both runs he gave up were solo shots. Nate Tellier had an interesting line, giving up two earned runs in two frames despite not allowing a base hit. Miguel Suero gave up an unearned run in his lone inning of work. At the plate, 18-year old Brainer Bonaci reached twice with a single and a walk, and Freddy Valdez, who came over in the Andrew Benintendi trade, walked and drove in a pair of runs with an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly.
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Player of the Day: Tyreque Reed stayed scorching hot, blasting a home run in his fourth consecutive game. This time, he hit two, giving him 13 on the season. The 2020 Rule 5 selection is now hitting an impressive .290 with a .996 OPS this year.
Photo Credit: Jeisson Rosario by Kelly O'Connor