April 26, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rafaela, Bleis homer; Rogers punches out eight
4/26 Cup of Coffee: It was a great night for some top hitting prospects, as Miguel Bleis and Ceddanne Rafaela each hit their first home runs of the season. Marcelo Mayer and Blaze Jordan also had big nights for Greenville. On the mound, Brian Van Belle (pictured) and Dalton Rogers each had terrific outings.
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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (NYY) 8, Worcester Red Sox 6
Bobby Dalbec made things interesting in the ninth inning with a two-out, two-run double to cut the deficit to two, but it wasn't enough. Greg Allen and Ryan Fitzgerald each had a couple of hits, with Fitzgerald roping a double and driving in a pair. Jorge Alfaro also homered and Wilyer Abreu reached base four times with three walks and a double. James Paxton started this one and struggled, allowing five runs (four earned) on three hits and four walks. On the positive side, he did strike out five hitters. Cam Booser tossed two perfect frames with a couple strikeouts, while Ryan Sherriff had a scoreless inning of his own with two strikeouts.
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Erie SeaWolves (DET) 3, Portland Sea Dogs 2 (10 innings)
Brian Van Belle turned in a tremendous outing, going the first six innings without surrendering a run. The 26-year-old allowed just three hits, did not walk anybody, and struck out three while lowering his ERA to 0.53 in 17 innings this year. Brendan Cellucci struggled a bit, allowing a pair of runs in 1 2/3 innings. Ryan Miller did a great job over 1 1/3 frames, striking out three without allowing a run or a hit. Ceddanne Rafaela provided the offense for Portland, belting a two-run home run in the sixth inning, his first long ball of the year. Alex Binelas picked up a couple hits as well, and Nick Yorke singled and stole his third bag.
Brian Van Belle turned in a tremendous outing, going the first six innings without surrendering a run. The 26-year-old allowed just three hits, did not walk anybody, and struck out three while lowering his ERA to 0.53 in 17 innings this year. Brendan Cellucci struggled a bit, allowing a pair of runs in 1 2/3 innings. Ryan Miller did a great job over 1 1/3 frames, striking out three without allowing a run or a hit. Ceddanne Rafaela provided the offense for Portland, belting a two-run home run in the sixth inning, his first long ball of the year. Alex Binelas picked up a couple hits as well, and Nick Yorke singled and stole his third bag.
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Hudson Valley Renegades (NYY) 11, Greenville Drive 6
Grant Gambrell had a rocky outing, allowing six runs over four innings, but only two of them were earned. The righty struck out four and walked three while allowing five hits. Casey Cobb was great for two innings, as he did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out a pair. Graham Hoffman and Joey Stock tossed scoreless innings of their own, with Stock punching out the side. Marcelo Mayer and Blaze Jordan got the scoring going for Greenville right away, as Mayer roped a two-run single and Jordan belted his second home run in the first inning. Mayer added a double later, as well. Nathan Hickey had a solid night as well, going 2 for 4 with a walk. Chase Meidroth also singled, walked twice, and scored two runs.
Grant Gambrell had a rocky outing, allowing six runs over four innings, but only two of them were earned. The righty struck out four and walked three while allowing five hits. Casey Cobb was great for two innings, as he did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out a pair. Graham Hoffman and Joey Stock tossed scoreless innings of their own, with Stock punching out the side. Marcelo Mayer and Blaze Jordan got the scoring going for Greenville right away, as Mayer roped a two-run single and Jordan belted his second home run in the first inning. Mayer added a double later, as well. Nathan Hickey had a solid night as well, going 2 for 4 with a walk. Chase Meidroth also singled, walked twice, and scored two runs.
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Salem Red Sox 5, Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL) 0
Luis Ravelo and Miguel Bleis led the way on offense, each belting a home run. It was Ravelo's first home run of the year, a three-run shot in the seventh inning. Bleis' eighth-inning solo homer was also his first of the campaign. Karson Simas reached three times, going 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Allan Castro also singled and walked. Dalton Rogers, Boston's third-round pick last year, was phenomenal on the bump. The lefty tossed five shutout frames, allowing just one hit with eight strikeouts. His ERA is now 2.79 on the year. Gabriel Jackson and Nathan Landry each threw two scoreless innings as well, with Jackson punching out two.
Luis Ravelo and Miguel Bleis led the way on offense, each belting a home run. It was Ravelo's first home run of the year, a three-run shot in the seventh inning. Bleis' eighth-inning solo homer was also his first of the campaign. Karson Simas reached three times, going 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Allan Castro also singled and walked. Dalton Rogers, Boston's third-round pick last year, was phenomenal on the bump. The lefty tossed five shutout frames, allowing just one hit with eight strikeouts. His ERA is now 2.79 on the year. Gabriel Jackson and Nathan Landry each threw two scoreless innings as well, with Jackson punching out two.
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Player of the Day: Dalton Rogers completed five innings for the first time in his professional career and only allowed one hit in doing so. The left-hander was taken by Boston last year in the third round out of Southern Miss. He has impressed so far this year, as he has only allowed four hits in 9 2/3 innings to go along with a very solid 18 strikeouts to just five walks.
Photo Credit: Brian Van Belle by Kelly O'Connor