August 3, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Gonzalez, Jordan continue to shine in FCL
8/3 Cup of Coffee: The FCL Sox were the story of the day, winning for the 15th time in their last 17 games. A pair of the team's hottest led the way, as starter Wilkelman Gonzalez and third baseman Blaze Jordan continue to dominate. The two DSL squads split in their games against the Dodgers affiliates.
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It was a pitchers' duel in the FCL, with Sox hurlers combining to allow just two hits. Wilkelman Gonzalez allowed one hit and one unearned run across his five innings of work, striking out six and walking three. Across his past four starts, Gonzalez has given up just three earned runs on 10 hits in 20 innings. Luis De La Rosa pitched in a relief role, firing two scoreless frames, striking out two, and walking two. Blaze Jordan wasted no time extending his hitting streak to 10 games with a solo home run in the first inning. The 18-year-old added a single and a stolen base. Brainer Bonaci added a pair of hits, driving in Miguel Ugueto with what proved to be the decisive run.
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Not much went right for the Blue squad on Monday, as the team was outhit 12-3. Alexis Hernandez delivered the only double, his fourth of the season. Juan Carlos Reyes got the start, allowing three runs on four hits in four innings.
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Team Red had a much better day, remaining in a tie atop the DSL Northwest Division. Axel James led the offense, going 2 for 3 with a double, walk, RBI, and two runs scored. Miguel Bleis also had a pair of singles for his first multi-hit game as a pro. Starlin Santos allowed one run on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. Andres Ortuno got the win in relief, spinning two hitless frames.
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Player of the Day: Wilkelman Gonzalez has been one of the top pitchers in the system this year. His outing Monday, allowing one hit and no earned runs in five innings, lowered his ERA to 3.55 in 25 1/3 innings. That number is actually inflated from a poor start in early June in which he allowed half of his season's runs in just 1 1/3. He has 35 strikeouts on the year as compared to just five walks, and his WHIP slipped under 1.00 with his effort yesterday.