September 11, 2022 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Hamilton doubles, homers, and sets Portland stolen base record
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Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) 9, Worcester Red Sox 5
Josh Winckowski, who has been bouncing back and forth from Boston to Worcester, struggled in his start, surrendering seven runs over 3 2/3 innings. Just one of the runs was earned, but Winckowski got hit pretty hard. He did strike out five. Caleb Simpson tossed 2 1/3 hitless innings with a pair of strikeouts, and Andrew Politi threw a scoreless frame.
Josh Winckowski, who has been bouncing back and forth from Boston to Worcester, struggled in his start, surrendering seven runs over 3 2/3 innings. Just one of the runs was earned, but Winckowski got hit pretty hard. He did strike out five. Caleb Simpson tossed 2 1/3 hitless innings with a pair of strikeouts, and Andrew Politi threw a scoreless frame.
I was in attendance for this game and got to see Enmanuel Valdez take some good swings, as he went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Johan Mieses also went 1 for 2 with an absolute no-doubter of a home run to left field, a three-run shot in the third. Mieses did have a scary moment however, getting hit in the head by a pitch. He was on the ground in pain for a minute to two before getting up and surprisingly staying in the game. Jarren Duran displayed his elite speed in this game, as well as great baseball instincts. With three infielders on the right side of second base in a full shift, Duran ripped a hard ground ball through the vacated left side of the infield, scampering into second. But Duran didn't stop there, as he noticed that third base was unoccupied due to the shift and kept going without hesitation and got to third with relative ease to pick up his sixth triple of the season. Nick Sogard and Deivy Grullon also hit doubles, with Grullon's coming on a laser beam of a line drive to the warning track down the left field line.
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Portland Sea Dogs 4, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (NYM) 3
David Hamilton was the story of this game in more ways than one. He propelled Portland to a win by going 3 for 5 with a double, a home run, and three RBI. He also made some history, swiping his 65th base of the season, which is a new Sea Dogs franchise record for a single season. Ceddanne Rafaela had a nice game as well, going 2 for 5 with an RBI and a stolen base. Izzy Wilson collected a pair of singles too. On the mound, Kyle Hart was very good, surrendering just two runs in six innings. The lefty allowed just three hits and struck out seven with only one walk. Brendan Nail did not allow a run in his lone inning of work, while Brett Kennedy picked up a two-inning save.
David Hamilton was the story of this game in more ways than one. He propelled Portland to a win by going 3 for 5 with a double, a home run, and three RBI. He also made some history, swiping his 65th base of the season, which is a new Sea Dogs franchise record for a single season. Ceddanne Rafaela had a nice game as well, going 2 for 5 with an RBI and a stolen base. Izzy Wilson collected a pair of singles too. On the mound, Kyle Hart was very good, surrendering just two runs in six innings. The lefty allowed just three hits and struck out seven with only one walk. Brendan Nail did not allow a run in his lone inning of work, while Brett Kennedy picked up a two-inning save.
Portland's win keeps them two games ahead of Somerset (NYY).
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Greenville Drive 5, Asheville Tourists (HOU) 3
Marcelo Mayer led the offense in Greenville's penultimate game of the 2022 season by going 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. Mayer is now hitting .452/.553/.710 in eight games for the Drive during the month of September. Blaze Jordan had a big night as well with a 2-for-4 performance that included his fourth home run with Greenville. Matthew Lugo also roped a two-run triple, his 10th three-bagger of the campaign. Wyatt Olds got the start and allowed three runs in five innings, but he struck out an impressive eight hitters while issuing just one free pass. The bullpen was dominant, with Aaron Perry starting it off with a perfect sixth inning with a couple strikeouts. Luis Guerrero dealt two perfect frames of his own with three strikeouts. Jacob Webb picked up his seventh save without allowing a hit in the ninth inning with two strikeouts.
Marcelo Mayer led the offense in Greenville's penultimate game of the 2022 season by going 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. Mayer is now hitting .452/.553/.710 in eight games for the Drive during the month of September. Blaze Jordan had a big night as well with a 2-for-4 performance that included his fourth home run with Greenville. Matthew Lugo also roped a two-run triple, his 10th three-bagger of the campaign. Wyatt Olds got the start and allowed three runs in five innings, but he struck out an impressive eight hitters while issuing just one free pass. The bullpen was dominant, with Aaron Perry starting it off with a perfect sixth inning with a couple strikeouts. Luis Guerrero dealt two perfect frames of his own with three strikeouts. Jacob Webb picked up his seventh save without allowing a hit in the ninth inning with two strikeouts.
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Fredericksburg Nationals (WAS) vs. Salem Red Sox (cancelled, rain)
This game was cancelled due to rain and it will not be made up. Salem plays its final game of the year on Sunday.
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Player of the Day: David Hamilton was acquired from Milwaukee this past offseason for Hunter Renfroe, and he has been very impressive during his first season in the organization. He has hit just .236 but has taken a good amount of walks to get his OBP to .327. Hamilton has displayed some decent power too with 14 doubles, eight triples, and 12 home runs. It's the speed that separates Hamilton, swiping 65 bags this year in 73 attempts (89%).
Player of the Day: David Hamilton was acquired from Milwaukee this past offseason for Hunter Renfroe, and he has been very impressive during his first season in the organization. He has hit just .236 but has taken a good amount of walks to get his OBP to .327. Hamilton has displayed some decent power too with 14 doubles, eight triples, and 12 home runs. It's the speed that separates Hamilton, swiping 65 bags this year in 73 attempts (89%).
Photo Credit: David Hamilton by Kelly O'Connor