April 30, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Paulino, Meidroth lead 19-hit Greenville romp
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The WooSox collected nine hits and worked 10 walks in a weird 11-inning win at Polar Park. Worcester scored single runs in the 10th and 11th innings without registering a base hit in either frame. Two walks and a Jorge Alfaro sacrifice fly plated a game-tying run in the 10th inning, and a zombie-runner stolen base led to a Greg Allen sac fly in the 11th to walk it off. Alfaro also had a triple as part of his 3-for-5 effort, while Allen was 2 for 3 with a triple, walk, and hit batsman.
Brandon Walter got the start, allowing four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked five, struck out three, and surrendered a solo home run. Jake Faria pitched the 10th and 11th to get the win, allowing just one of two automatic runners to score.
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It was another extra-inning contest, this one even wilder than the Triple-A event. Portland collected 16 hits, including 11 extra-base hits, good for 35 total bases. However, it was not enough to win in regulation, as Erie cranked out a 17-hit attack. Every Portland starter reached base at least once, led by Tyler McDonough, who doubled twice and drove in three as part of a 3-for-5 day. His second double with two outs in the 10th plated what proved to be the winning run. Stephen Scott, Christian Koss, and Corey Rosier each homered for the first time this season; Scott and Koss also doubled, while Rosier added a triple. Nick Yorke also tripled for the second consecutive game, while Alex Binelas ripped a pair of doubles.
Sterling Sharp opened the season with three straight excellent starts, but he struggled on Saturday, allowing five runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. The bullpen fared little better until the entrance of Ryan Fernandez, who shut down the Sea Wolves for two hitless innings to earn the win.
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Every starter had a hit in Greenville's 19-hit, 17-run annihilation at Fluor Field. Eddinson Paulino hasn't made an out since Wednesday. After Friday's 3-for-3 effort, the shortstop was unstoppable, going 4 for 4 with a double, two stolen bases, three runs scored, three RBI, and a hit batsman. Chase Meidroth also didn't record an out, going 3 for 3 with a walk and two steals out of the leadoff slot. He left the game in the sixth inning after a collision at second base. Bryan Gonzalez blasted a three-run homer as part of a 3-for-4 effort, and Nathan Hickey also went deep in the victory. Eduardo Lopez recorded his second consecutive three-hit performance.
On the mound, Isaac Coffey struck out 11 of the 19 batters he faced in 4 2/3 innings but was punished by the long ball. Yankees 2022 first-round pick Spencer Jones took him deep for a solo home run in the third innings and a two-run shot in the fifth. In all, Coffee allowed three runs on five hits. He did not issue a walk and now has 30 strikeouts against just two walks in 20 2/3 innings on the year. Joe Jones picked up the win in relief, allowing one run in 2 1/3 innings, and Alex Hoppe and Joey Stock submitted a hitless inning apiece to preserve the win.
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A pair of Delmarva hurlers carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning, but a Luis Ravelo home run broke it up while giving Salem an improbably 3-2 lead. Salem took advantage of seven walks to score a pair of previous runs. Ravelo had drawn one, while Cutter Coffey and Juan Chacon had two apiece. Luis Perales had his best start of the young season, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in five innings, but his control continues to lag. He walked four against two strikeouts and threw 45 of his 74 pitches for strikes. Marques Johnson was touched up for a three-run sixth inning to get saddled with the loss.
Ravelo continued to be a highlight in the nightcap, going 3 for 4 to bring him to 4 for 6 on the day. Miguel Bleis also had a strong effort in game two, going 2 for 3 with a triple, walk, stolen base, and run scored. Noah Dean retired only two batters, both by strikeout. He allowed two runs on two hits, walking two and hitting a batter. Brock Bell was a highlight in relief, firing 2 1/3 scoreless innings.
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Player of the Day: In 2022, Eddinson Paulino got off to a rough start only to be one of the top performers in the system from May onward, earning SoxProspects.com All-Star recognition and into the system's top ten prospects. He appears to be setting himself up for an encore performance. Over the last two days, Paulino is 7 for 7 with two doubles, three stolen bases, four RBI, and five runs scored, boosting his slash line from .156/.206/.250 to .239/.289/.352. He is currently ranked 10th in the organization.
Photo Credit: Eddinson Paulino by Kelly O'Connor