Cup of Coffee: Davis, Refsnyder power WooSox rout

5/28 Cup of Coffee: It was a wet Friday down on the farm, as only two of the four affiliates were able to get in their scheduled games. Greenville and Salem were both called off due to the rainy weather. Worcester provided enough offense for the entire system, as Rob Refsnyder (pictured) and Jaylin Davis combined for eight hits to lead a blowout win. Portland dropped a late lead, seeing its winning streak snapped at five games.

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Worcester Red Sox 16, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) 2

The WooSox offense erupted Friday, ripping 15 hits, drawing 10 walks, and scoring three runs in an inning five times. Several veteran players led the effort, with Jaylin Davis playing a key role. The recently-outrighted outfielder was 4 for 5 with a double, four runs scored, and four RBI. Rob Refsnyder homered and doubled as part of a 4-for-5 day, scoring two runs and driving in a pair. Jarren Duran was on base four times, ripping a single and working three walks. Yolmer Sanchez blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning in addition to his three free passes.

The offensive explosion made for an easy evening for the Worcester pitching staff. Starter Brian Keller allowed the two Lehigh Valley runs on four hits in four innings, striking out five. Geoff Hartlieb went two hitless frames to get credit for the victory. Ryan Brasier struck out a pair in his perfect seventh, while AJ Politi and Frank German both allowed one hit in a scoreless inning apiece. 

The game also featured an appearance from an old friend, as Lehigh Valley hitting coach Joe Thurston was ejected in the seventh inning. Thurston had a strong 2008 campaign with Pawtucket that earned him a SoxProspects.com All-Star nod and got a four-game call up to the majors with the Sox that year. 

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Somerset Patriots (NYY) 3, Portland Sea Dogs 2

Portland missed out on several opportunities to extend its winning streak to six games, going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Dylan Spacke was again solid in his third start after working previously as a reliever. The right-hander allowed one run on five hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out three without walking a batter. Brett Kennedy made his Sea Dogs debut after signing a minor league deal earlier in the week. He was efficient in a bullpen role, allowing one hit across three hitless innings and throwing 25 of 34 pitches for strikes. At the plate, Pedro Castellanos doubled as part of a three-hit evening. Nick Sogard picked up a pair of base hits, while Hudson Potts hit a monster 479-foot homer that briefly gave Portland a 2-1 lead.

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Greenville Drive @ Jersey Shore BlueClaws, postponed (rain)

Jersey Shore was scheduled to play as the Medusas de Jersey Shore on Friday, and the weather was more befitting tentacled aquatic life than baseball. The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday. 

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Salem Red Sox @ Fredericksburg Nationals, postponed (rain)

The highly-anticipated matchup between Wikelman Gonzalez and Washington's 2019 first-round pick Jackson Rutledge was also called due to rain. They, too, will attempt a Saturday twinbill.

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Player of the Day: Jaylin Davis entered the night just 8 of 47 without a multi-hit effort in 14 games since being optioned from, and subsequently outrighted off of, the major league roster. With four RBI on the day, the 27-year-old major league veteran more than doubled his WooSox total. The four runs scored were the most he'd had in a game since August 17, 2019 while a member of the Sacramento RiverCats. 

Photo Credit: Rob Refsnyder by Kelly O'Connor

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