Cup of Coffee: Perales strikes out eight of nine hitters, Bleis knocks two homers

7/12 Cup of Coffee: The summer affiliates played a pair of blowouts, as the FCL team took down the Rays before headed to Tampa to watch Brayan Bello face the Rays. Luis Perales had an incredible start, striking out eight of the nine hitters he faced across three perfect innings. Meanwhile, Miguel Bleis (pictured) was one of three hitters, along with Luis Ravelo and Johnfrank Salazar, to have three hits. Bleis had three extra-base knocks, including two home runs. In the Dominican, Blue took Red to the woodshed in an intra-organizational battle on the back of a six-run first inning. 

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FCL Red Sox 8, FCL Rays 1

Luis Perales threw three perfect innings, striking out eight hitters, to set the tone for a dominating victory for the FCL squad. In between Perales and two no-hit innings with five strikeouts by Michael Valera was Francis Hernandez. The right-hander had a strong outing in his own right, scattering one run and three hits over four frames, punching out seven Rays, but was overshadowed by those that started and finished the contest. Overall, the trio combined to notch 20 strikeouts.

Strong performances were not limited to the mound, either. A trio of hitters recorded a three-hit day, including Luis Ravelo and Johnfrank Salazar. However, the most impressive was surely Miguel Bleis. The center fielder drilled a pair of home runs and a double as part of a 3-for-5 day. Naysbel Marcano also went yard for the Red Sox, while Alexis Hernandez and Eduardo Vaughn each had a pair of singles.

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DSL Red Sox Blue 11, DSL Red Sox Red 2

Blue led 6-0 after one inning and 8-0 after two, with an impressive day from start to finish. However, it came on just 11 hits, as Blue also worked four walks, was hit by two pitches, and forced four errors. A trio of Blue players had a multi-hit outing, including Armando Sierra, Karim Ayubi and Rivaldo Avila, who went yard as well. On the other side, Frayner Noria was 2 for 4 for Red, while Freili Encarnacion also added his first professional home run. 

Luis Cohen allowed three hits over his three-inning outing in which he did not surrender a run, while walking two against two strikeouts. Elvis Soto and Stiwar Adames had one and two shutout innings of relief, respectively, as well for Blue. The only Red pitcher to not allow a run was Eduardo Diaz, who recorded two outs.

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Player of the Day: While eight strikeouts over nine hitters is an impressive achievement, three extra-base hits, including two home runs, just edges it out. Miguel Bleis is ranked No. 7 in the SoxProspects rankings and has looked strong at the plate in his stateside debut. He is now hitting .280/.326/.512 on the season after hitting his second and third home runs. He has also added six doubles and two triples, looking exciting at the plate and in the field as one of the highest upside prospects in the system.

Photo Credit: Miguel Bleis by Kelly O'Connor

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