May 17, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Whitlock, Crawford pitch well; Kavadas, Gonzalez belt two homers
5/17 Cup of Coffee: Even on a night that saw great rehab appearances from Garrett Whitlock and Kutter Crawford, as well as another gem from Chih-Jun Liu, this night still managed to be about the offenses, as Worcester, Portland, and Greenville combined to score 33 runs. Bryan Gonzalez (pictured) and Niko Kavadas each had multi-home run games, while Nathan Hickey drove in five runs. David Hamilton and Ryan Fitzgerald stayed hot, while Bobby Dalbec went deep for Worcester. -----
Worcester Red Sox 9, Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) 4
Bobby Dalbec led the offense in this one for the Sox, going 2 for 3 and belting his fifth home run of the year. The third baseman was also hit by a pitch and scored three runs. David Hamilton and Ryan Fitzgerald also continued their great seasons, hitting their eighth and seventh home runs, respectively. Nick Sogard and Greg Allen chipped in as well, each going 2 for 4, with Allen roping a double and Sogard adding a stolen base.
Garrett Whitlock returned to the mound for the first time since April 22 in Milwaukee. He pitched very well in this rehab start, allowing just one run on a solo home run over four innings. He punched out four and did not issue a free pass. Kutter Crawford followed Whitlock with a very similar rehab appearance of his own, tossing three innings while allowing just a run on a solo shot, while striking out four and walking none.
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Portland Sea Dogs 14, Hartford Yard Goats (COL)1
Six of nine Portland starters had at least two hits in this 15-hit attack. They were led by Niko Kavadas, who blasted a home run in each of his first two at-bats of the night. He also drew a walk and knocked in five runs. Even with Kavadas knocking in so many runs, Nathan Hickey, who hit behind Kavadas, managed to drive in five of his own. The catcher had a two-run double in addition to a three-run bomb. Nick Yorke had a big night as well, going 3 for 5 with a double and three runs scored. Ceddanne Rafaela added a couple hits, a walk, a stolen base, and four runs scored.
Chih-Jung Liu put together another great start, tossing 5 2/3 innings with no runs allowed on just four hits. He struck out eight for the third time this season and walked three. Ryan Fernandez and Theo Denlinger each threw a scoreless frame as well.
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Greenville Drive 10, Bowling Green Hot Rods (TB) 4
Bryan Gonalez had a monster game for Greenville at the plate, going 4 for 4 with a pair of home runs, a walk, and five RBI. The designated hitter also scored a couple runs. Blaze Jordan had a great night as well, with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double and two RBI. Max Ferguson also did his job out of the leadoff spot with three hits, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Wikelman Gonzalez pitched a solid game, surrendering just three runs (one earned) on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked four. Christopher Troye pitched 1 2/3 tremendous innings, striking out three without allowing a walk or a hit. Robert Kwiatkowski closed it out with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth.
Bryan Gonalez had a monster game for Greenville at the plate, going 4 for 4 with a pair of home runs, a walk, and five RBI. The designated hitter also scored a couple runs. Blaze Jordan had a great night as well, with a 2-for-4 performance that included a double and two RBI. Max Ferguson also did his job out of the leadoff spot with three hits, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Wikelman Gonzalez pitched a solid game, surrendering just three runs (one earned) on four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked four. Christopher Troye pitched 1 2/3 tremendous innings, striking out three without allowing a walk or a hit. Robert Kwiatkowski closed it out with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth.
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Salem Red Sox 3, Lynchburg Hillcats (CLE) 0 (7 innings)
This one was called in the top of the eighth due to rain. Elmer Rodriguez started and did now allow a run over five innings, striking out three and walking four. Luis De La Rosa and Brock Bell each had a scoreless inning as well, with Bell notching his first save. The only runs of the game for Salem came on RBI doubles from Ahbram Liendo and Allan Castro, as well as a wild pitch. Lyonell James also went 2 for 3 and scored a run.
This one was called in the top of the eighth due to rain. Elmer Rodriguez started and did now allow a run over five innings, striking out three and walking four. Luis De La Rosa and Brock Bell each had a scoreless inning as well, with Bell notching his first save. The only runs of the game for Salem came on RBI doubles from Ahbram Liendo and Allan Castro, as well as a wild pitch. Lyonell James also went 2 for 3 and scored a run.
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Player of the Day: Bryan Gonzalez gets the honor with the best game of his young career. He had 10 total bases, which he had only done one other time back in 2019 while with the DSL Red Sox. After struggling a bit in April with a .181 batting average, Gonzalez has been playing well in May to the tune of an .853 OPS. Overall, the 21-year-old is hitting .253 with five home runs, five triples, two doubles, and 19 RBI.
Photo Credit: Bryan Gonzalez by Kelly O'Connor