Cup of Coffee: Jordan powers Salem as Mayer doubles in return

5/31 Cup of Coffee: Salem was the lone affiliate in action on Memorial Day, as Marcelo Mayer and Blaze Jordan (pictured) helped welcome Columbia into town. The action serves as a gentle transition into Monday baseball, with the complex leagues beginning in a week.

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Salem Red Sox 6, Columbia Fireflies (KC) 2

Salem celebrated the holiday by welcoming Marcelo Mayer back to the lineup after a quick stint on the injured list. The fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft got the start at shortstop and was slotted into the third spot in the order. Mayer ripped a double along with a walk and a pair of runs scored. It was his 11th double of the year in just 78 plate appearances. Blaze Jordan starred at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a double, triple, walk, run scored, and three RBI. Eddinson Paulino was 1 for 3 with a walk and a pair of stolen bases out of the leadoff spot.

Juan Daniel Encarnacion silenced the Columbia bats, scattering four hits across five scoreless innings. Encarnacion pounded the strike zone, throwing 47 of 62 pitches for strike on his way to four strikeouts. He did not record a walk, the fourth time in six May starts he did not issue a free pass. 

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Player of the Day: Fitting for a Memorial Day cookout, Blaze Jordan gets the nod. The 19-year-old third baseman has been resurgent in May, adding two more extra-base hits to bring him to 14 for the month. Jordan slumped to a .162/.230/.250 in April, striking out in 24.3 percent of his plate appearances. His contact this month has been both more frequent and of a higher quality. Cutting his strikeout rate down to 14.2 percent, he's roped 11 doubles on his way to a .313/.343/.479 slash line on the month.

Photo Credit: Blaze Jordan by Kelly O'Connor

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