July 17, 2022 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rafaela plays in Futures Game; Hernandez, Mieses lead Worcester to win
Ceddanne Rafaela (pictured) was also the lone member of the Red Sox to play in the Futures Game in Los Angeles. He came in the game late as a pinch-hitter and struck out in his two plate appearances. He also played shortstop and converted his only chance.
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Photo Credit: Ceddanne Rafaela by Kelly O'Connor
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Worcester Red Sox 6, Norfolk Tides (BAL) 3
Brayan Bello made his first start back in Worcester after a two-start stint in Boston. He went three innings, allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Philips Valdez tossed a couple hitless innings, Eduard Bazardo pitched a perfect frame, and Zack Kelly struck out a pair in his lone inning. Every single Worcester starter recorded at least one hit, with seven of nine picking up multiple hits. Ronaldo Hernandez belted a two-run shot, his ninth of the year, while Devlin Granberg and Nick Sogard each had three hits. Johan Mieses also went 2 for 5 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Brayan Bello made his first start back in Worcester after a two-start stint in Boston. He went three innings, allowing one run on three hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Philips Valdez tossed a couple hitless innings, Eduard Bazardo pitched a perfect frame, and Zack Kelly struck out a pair in his lone inning. Every single Worcester starter recorded at least one hit, with seven of nine picking up multiple hits. Ronaldo Hernandez belted a two-run shot, his ninth of the year, while Devlin Granberg and Nick Sogard each had three hits. Johan Mieses also went 2 for 5 with two doubles and two runs scored.
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Somerset Patriots (NYY) 7, Portland Sea Dogs 3
Brian Van Belle had an up-and-down outing, allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings. On the bright side, he punched out eight and walked only one. Rio Gomez was good for three innings, striking out four, walking none, and allowing just one run. On offense, Stephen Scott belted his second home run of the year, a two-run shot. Christian Koss added an RBI double.
Brian Van Belle had an up-and-down outing, allowing four runs on eight hits in five innings. On the bright side, he punched out eight and walked only one. Rio Gomez was good for three innings, striking out four, walking none, and allowing just one run. On offense, Stephen Scott belted his second home run of the year, a two-run shot. Christian Koss added an RBI double.
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Hudson Valley Renegades (NYY) 5, Greenville Drive 4
The Drive dropped a tough one in extra innings, as they had just five hits on the night. Tyler McDonough doubled, drove in a run, and swiped his 16th bag, while Gilberto Jimenez also doubled, drove in a run, and stole his 12th base. Nick Northcut doubled and drove in his 58th run as well. Tyler Uberstine allowed three runs, five hits, and four walks with four strikeouts in his start, which lasted 4 1/3 frames. Casey Cobb was dominant in his 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, not allowing a hit or a walk with five strikeouts. Brendan Cellucci also punched out three in a scoreless frame.
The Drive dropped a tough one in extra innings, as they had just five hits on the night. Tyler McDonough doubled, drove in a run, and swiped his 16th bag, while Gilberto Jimenez also doubled, drove in a run, and stole his 12th base. Nick Northcut doubled and drove in his 58th run as well. Tyler Uberstine allowed three runs, five hits, and four walks with four strikeouts in his start, which lasted 4 1/3 frames. Casey Cobb was dominant in his 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen, not allowing a hit or a walk with five strikeouts. Brendan Cellucci also punched out three in a scoreless frame.
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Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (BAL) 5, Salem Red Sox 2
Hunter Dobbins started and delivered another very strong outing, going five innings and allowing three runs, but all of them were unearned. He struck out four, did not issue a walk, and lowered his ERA to 2.20. Miguel Suero struck out two in 1 1/3 perfect innings, and Adenys Bautista and Felix Cepeda each had a scoreless inning of their own. Offensively, Tyler Miller went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI, and Eddinson Paulino singled, tripled, and scored. Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. Karson Simas also got to face his brother, and singled off him.
Hunter Dobbins started and delivered another very strong outing, going five innings and allowing three runs, but all of them were unearned. He struck out four, did not issue a walk, and lowered his ERA to 2.20. Miguel Suero struck out two in 1 1/3 perfect innings, and Adenys Bautista and Felix Cepeda each had a scoreless inning of their own. Offensively, Tyler Miller went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI, and Eddinson Paulino singled, tripled, and scored. Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly. Karson Simas also got to face his brother, and singled off him.
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FCL Red Sox 8, FCL Twins 3
Daniel McElveny led the way for the Sox offense, ripping a pair of doubles with a run scored and an RBI. Ahbram Liendo reached three times out of the leadoff spot with a double and two walks, leading to three runs scored. Juan Chacon added a two-run double and a sacrifice fly, while Johnfrank Salazar singled twice and scored three times. Triston Casas played in his fourth rehab game for the FCL Sox and went 1 for 4 with a walk. Matt Barnes also made his third rehab appearance, tossing an inning with two strikeouts, no walks, and one unearned run allowed. Luis Perales followed and was very good for three innings, surrendering zero runs with three strikeouts and no walks. Barbaro Pinero was also dominant, striking out four in two scoreless innings.
Daniel McElveny led the way for the Sox offense, ripping a pair of doubles with a run scored and an RBI. Ahbram Liendo reached three times out of the leadoff spot with a double and two walks, leading to three runs scored. Juan Chacon added a two-run double and a sacrifice fly, while Johnfrank Salazar singled twice and scored three times. Triston Casas played in his fourth rehab game for the FCL Sox and went 1 for 4 with a walk. Matt Barnes also made his third rehab appearance, tossing an inning with two strikeouts, no walks, and one unearned run allowed. Luis Perales followed and was very good for three innings, surrendering zero runs with three strikeouts and no walks. Barbaro Pinero was also dominant, striking out four in two scoreless innings.
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DSL Red Sox Blue 7, DSL Royals Glass 1
The Blue squad won another one behind a big day from Kelvin Diaz, who went 2 for 4 with his third home run, a double, and three RBI. Karim Aybui singled, walked twice, and scored three times, while Marvin Alcantara and Helison Mota each cranked a double. Luis Cohen started and went 4 1/3, allowing just one run on two hits with four strikeouts. Giancarlos Santana tossed 1 2/3 scoreless frames, Elvis Soto pitched a shutout inning, and Andres Ortuno finished it off with two hitless innings.
The Blue squad won another one behind a big day from Kelvin Diaz, who went 2 for 4 with his third home run, a double, and three RBI. Karim Aybui singled, walked twice, and scored three times, while Marvin Alcantara and Helison Mota each cranked a double. Luis Cohen started and went 4 1/3, allowing just one run on two hits with four strikeouts. Giancarlos Santana tossed 1 2/3 scoreless frames, Elvis Soto pitched a shutout inning, and Andres Ortuno finished it off with two hitless innings.
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Player of the Day: 19-year old Kelvin Diaz gets the nod here with a home run and a double. He is in his second season in the DSL and has improved greatly since last year. After a .665 OPS in 2021, Diaz is hitting .283/.386/.509 with 14 extra-base hits and 18 stolen bases in 27 games. He was signed as an international free agent in 2019.
Photo Credit: Ceddanne Rafaela by Kelly O'Connor