September 16, 2022 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Duran steals home, Potts homers as Portland stays hot
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Despite falling behind by two runs early on, Worcester put an end to its four-game losing streak on Thursday. Victor Santos initially got off to a rough start, but the right-hander settled in and allowed just two runs on five hits and zero walks to go along with eight strikeouts over six innings of work. Sixty-one of the 87 pitches he threw went for strikes. In relief of Santos, Caleb Simpson gave up one run on one hit in the eighth before A.J. Politi struck out the side in the ninth to earn his sixth save of the season.
Nick Sogard got Worcester on the board with a game-tying, two-run single in the top of the fifth that was aided by a throwing error from old friend Ryan LaMarre. Jarren Duran was responsible for Worcester's other three runs. The leadoff man broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run double in the seventh inning. He advanced to third on another Scranton/Wilkes-Barre throwing error before putting his elite speed on full display by stealing home. Duran had the best performance of any Worcester hitter by going 2 for 4 with the two RBIs and his 12th stolen base of the year.
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Another day, another home run for Wilyer Abreu, who took the fourth pitch of the game deep to right-center field for his second big fly in as many nights. After Tyler Dearden drove in Ceddanne Rafaela with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning, Hudson Potts followed by belting a two-run blast for his 13th homer of the season. Potts, who went 2 for 3 with a walk, scored Portland's fifth and final run on a seventh-inning RBI double off the bat of Wil Dalton. Rafaela, who went 1 for 4, also stole his 28th base of the year. Tyreque Reed drew two walks in his first game since July 15.
On the mound, Kyle Hart got the start and allowed two runs on three hits, two walks, one hit batsman, and four strikeouts over four innings of work. The 29-year-old southpaw retired the final seven batters he faced and finished with 82 pitches (54 strikes). Out of the Portland bullpen, Dylan Spacke, Cody Scroggins, Rio Gomez, and Taylor Broadway combined for five scoreless frames. Spacke earned the win while Broadway notched the save with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Fresh off clinching the Eastern League Northeast second-half title on Wednesday, the red-hot Sea Dogs have now won eight straight games and 16 of their last 17 to improve to 74-61 on the season.
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Player of the Day: In six games this month, Hudson Potts has gone 9 for 19 (.474) with one double, one homer, three RBIs, five runs scored, four walks, and three strikeouts. The 23-year-old infielder is looking to end his season on a strong note since he can become eligible for minor-league free agency this winter.
Photo Credit: Hudson Potts by Kelly O'Connor