August 25, 2021 at 6:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Duran returns to Worcester; Yorke debuts for Greenville
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In his first game back with the WooSox, Jarren Duran went 1 for 4 with a double, walk, and a stolen base. Connor Wong, Johan Mieses, and Delino DeShields all had two hits, with Mieses lacing a double and DeShields adding a triple and a walk. Two fielding errors by first baseman Franchy Cordero led to a pair of unearned runs for Raynel Espinal. Espinal was otherwise solid, walking two and striking out four without allowing an earned run. Stephen Gonsalves worked around three walks to notch two shutout innings, and Kaleb Ort got the save with a scoreless ninth.
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An 11-strikeout performance from Chris Murphy was not enough for the Sea Dogs on Tuesday. The 11 strikeouts are a career-high for Murphy, though he also gave up five runs on seven hits in his 4 2/3 innings. Most of the trouble came in the fifth inning where he was tagged for four runs, including a home run. Ryan Brasier had his rehab transferred to Portland, and he pitched a scoreless eighth with a strikeout.
Home runs from Cameron Cannon and Ronaldo Hernández accounted for all three of Portland's runs. The only other extra-base hit was a double by Jeisson Rosario, but Rosario also added three strikeouts.
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It was a tough outing for Jay Groome, though it could have been much worse. In the first two innings, Groome gave up seven runs on six hits. He ended up making it through five innings as he allowed just an unearned run the rest of the way. He struck out four but also walked three and hit a batter. The bullpen was able to keep the Crawdads off the board, led by Ryan Fernandez who fired two spotless frames.
Elih Marrero had one of the at-bats of the year, hitting a single on the 20th pitch he saw. Marrero finished the night going 3 for 4 with a double. In his Greenville debut, Nick Yorke went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI out of the leadoff spot. Brandon Howlett added two hits and a walk, and Stephen Scott went 1 for 2 with two walks and two outfield assists.
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Making his first start of the year, Alexander Montero battled his control as he walked four and allowed two runs in 2 1/3. The Shorebirds got to both Jose Larez and Yasel Santana for three runs in their two innings as they broke the game open. Salem had 12 hits but ultimately left 10 men on base. Angel Maita went 3 for 4 with two RBI, Tyler McDonough went 2 for 5 with a triple, and Matthew Lugo went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Lugo also committed his 30th fielding error.
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Luis De La Rosa did not show any signs of rust in his first appearance in two weeks as he struck out five and surrendered only one hit over four shutout innings. He was followed by Colten Brewer who allowed one run over two innings, and Nate Tellier earned his first save while striking out three in the ninth. Marcelo Mayer went 0 for 3 but did draw another walk, and Nathan Hickey went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk. Yorberto Mejicano put the Red Sox on the board with a two-run home run, his second of the season.
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Despite allowing three unearned runs, the Red squad was able to hold on to win. Starter Andres Ortuno was dominant, allowing just one hit and striking out five over four scoreless frames. His ERA now sits at 1.62 over 16 2/3 innings. Efren Diaz improved to 3-0 as he allowed just two unearned runs over 2 1/3 while striking out four.
Allan Castro led the offense by launching a solo home run and an RBI double, while Ahbram Liendo and Miguel Rojas each added doubles. The 18-year-old Castro is now hitting .292/.388/.569 over 85 plate appearances.
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The Blue squad gave up three runs in the bottom of the ninth to send it to extras, but they made up for it with two runs in the 10th. Giancarlos Santana hit an RBI triple to give them the lead in the top of the 10th, and he finished the day a double short of the cycle while also adding his fourth steal. Juan Chacon went 2 for 5 with a walk, Diego Viloria went 2 for 4 with a walk, and Lyonell James went 2 for 6 with a double.
Making his eighth start, Jedixson Paez allowed two runs over four innings. It was the first time he allowed more than one run since July 20. Railin Perez struck out four over two perfect innings, and Robinson Parra picked up the win despite blowing the save in the ninth.
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Player of the Day: A 3-for-4 night with a double does not jump off the page, but a 20-pitch at-bat is what helped give Elih Marrero the nod on Tuesday. The son of 10-year MLB veteran catcher Eli Marrero, Elih has been one of the system's hottest hitters in August. His line is up to .531/.595/.750 this month in 32 at-bats, and .300/.400/.423 overall.
Photo Credit: Elih Marrero by Kelly O'Connor