September 6, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Gonzalez stellar in Salem, Portland off until Thursday
9/6 Cup of Coffee: COVID-19 is now affecting both the major league team and minor league affiliates, as Portland announced today that it will not play again until Thursday at the earliest. While Portland itself is not dealing with significant issues, both New Hampshire and Binghamton need to do additional testing. In Worcester, the trio of Kyle Hart, Durbin Feltman, and Kaleb Ort locked down the Red Wings while Joey Meneses (pictured) reached base four times. Salem got another good start from Wilkelman Gonzalez and home runs from Nick Decker and Nicholas Northcut.
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Kyle Hart picked up where he left off in August, firing six innings of one-run ball to complete the six-game sweep. Hart's only blemish was a solo home run from Victor Robles. He struck out five and walked two. Durbin Feltman and Kaleb Ort were able to protect the one-run lead, with Feltman going two innings and Ort pitching a scoreless ninth for his 18th save. Feltman has allowed just two runs over his past 17 innings. RBI singles from Josh Ockimey and Joey Meneses accounted for both of Worcester's runs. Meneses went 3 for 3 with a walk and a double, and Ockimey went 2 for 4. Jeter Downs returned from the injured list and went 0 for 4 with four strikeouts.
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Portland Sea Dogs @ New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR), canceled (COVID-19)
Both games of the scheduled doubleheader were canceled to allow New Hampshire to perform additional testing and contact tracing. Portland's upcoming games on Tuesday and Wednesday have also been canceled, as Binghamton needs to do additional testing and contact tracing as well. The Sea Dogs should resume action on Thursday.
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Asheville Tourists (HOU) 8, Greenville Drive 1
It was an odd game for Yusniel Padron-Artiles as he struck out eight over four innings but was also tagged for six runs on six hits. It was a similar story for Jose Espada as he struck out four over three innings but also gave up two runs. It was also a tough night for the offense as they managed just four hits. Nick Yorke did not have one, but he did draw a walk. Both Brandon Howlett and Stephen Scott had doubles while Tyler Dearden hit a solo home run.
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A game-tying single from Angel Maita in the bottom of the ninth and a walk-off sacrifice fly from Gilberto Jimenez in the 10th inning gave Salem the victory. Starter Wilkelman Gonzalez allowed only two unearned runs over his five innings, walking two and striking out five. The Red Sox had a two-run lead going into the ninth but the Nationals got to Jordan DiValerio for three runs. Jacinto Arredondo earned the win with a scoreless 10th.
All but one Salem starter had at least one hit, led by Nick Decker and Nicholas Northcut who each went 2 for 4 with a home run. Decker is currently ranked 31st in the system and is hitting .282/.386/.476. Jimenez also went 2 for 4 in addition to the game-winning sac fly.
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Player of the Day: Joey Meneses was on base four times in Worcester's win over Rochester. Meneses has struggled a bit since returning from the Olympics, as he hit just .273/.305/.443 in August. This is after he hit .303/.348/.590 in the first 50 games of the season. His OPS is up to .874 in the first five games in September as he looks to get back to his early-season form.
Photo Credit: Joey Meneses by Kelly O'Connor