May 29, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Jordan extends hitting streak; Kavadas' power surge continues
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Matt Dermody went just two innings in his eighth start of the season for Worcester. The 32-year-old left-hander allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits, three walks, one hit batsman, and three strikeouts on 69 pitches (39 strikes). Norwith Gudino was tagged for four runs out of the bullpen while Ryan Sherriff and Taylor Broadway combined for 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Oddanier Mosqueda then served up a solo shot to the rehabbing Josh Donaldson in the bottom of the eighth.
On the subject of rehabbing big-leaguers, Christian Arroyo paced the WooSox lineup by going 2 for 4 with an RBI and run scored out of the two-hole. The 27-year-old played seven innings at second base before being lifted in the middle of the eighth. David Hamilton accounted for Worcester's only other extra-base hit by going 1 for 5 with a triple and run scored. Wilyer Abreu also scored a run while reaching base three times on a single and two walks.
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An otherwise strong month of May ended on a sour note for C.J. Liu. Making his ninth start of the season for Portland, the Taiwanese-born righty surrendered six earned runs on nine hits, one walk, and three strikeouts over just 2 2/3 innings. His ERA on the year rose from 2.85 to 3.92 as a result. In relief of Liu, Theo Denlinger and Ryan Miller each gave up two runs on three hits (including one homer) while Ryan Zeferjahn struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning.
Niko Kavadas led the way offensively for the Sea Dogs by going 2 for 5 with a three-run home run and two runs scored. It was his eighth big fly of the season (all have come this month). Stephen Scott and Christian Koss also clubbed a pair of two-run shots for their sixth and second homers of the year, respectively. Besides those three home runs, Corey Rosier's fourth-inning double was Portland's only other extra-base hit.
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For the first time since last Wednesday, a Greenville starter failed to record at least 10 strikeouts in Sunday's 5-3 loss to Rome. Angel Bastardo, making his ninth start of the season for the Drive, yielded three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks to go along with six strikeouts over five innings. Despite the relatively low number of punchouts, the righty still managed to induce 20 swings-and-misses on his 81 pitches (53 strikes). Casey Cobb and Christopher Troye each gave up a run out of the bullpen while Alex Hoppe worked a scoreless bottom of the seventh.
Blaze Jordan extended his hitting streak to seven games by going 2 for 4 with a double. Brainer Bonaci went 1 for 4 with an RBI triple, a run scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Eddinson Paulino also tripled and scored a run while Eduardo Lopez went 1 for 4 with an RBI single and his 10th stolen base of the season. Marcelo Mayer swiped one bag while going 1 for 4 with an RBI groundout and a walk.
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Salem Red Sox, Fredericksburg Nationals (WAS) (Cancelled)
Sunday's series finale between Salem and Fredericksburg was cancelled due to rain. The contest will not be made up.
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Player of the Day: Though it was a rather tough day across the farm, Niko Kavadas homered for the second Sunday in a row and the eighth time this month. Dating back to May 1, the 24-year-old slugger is batting .271/.407/.657 with those eight home runs (the second-most in the Eastern League in that stretch) and 20 RBIs over his last 21 games. He is currently ranked as the No. 27 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Niko Kavadas by Kelly O'Connor