June 22, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Anthony and Mayer homer; Barraclough impresses in WooSox debut
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It was a successful organizational debut for Kyle Barraclough at Polar Park on Wednesday night. Signed out of the independent Atlantic League earlier this week, the veteran right-hander scattered one hit and four walks to go along with a pair of strikeouts over six scoreless innings in his first start for the WooSox. Of the 75 pitches he threw, 48 went for strikes. Cam Booser, Chase Shugart, and Andrew Politi preserved the shutout bid by combining for three scoreless frames of relief. For Shugart, it was his first appearance since June 4 after missing the last two-plus weeks with a left oblique strain.
Every member of Worcester's starting lineup recorded at least one hit. Nick Sogard went 2 for 2 with two RBIs, one run scored, and one stolen base out of the leadoff spot. Ronaldo Hernandez also enjoyed a multi-hit game by going 2 for 4 with a run-scoring single. Marcus Wilson accounted for his side's lone extra-base hit by doubling in the eighth inning. Wilyer Abreu went 1 for 4 with an RBI single and three strikeouts in his first game since May 31 after missing the last three weeks with a right hamstring strain.
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Isaac Coffey's Double-A debut did not go according to plan on Wednesday night. Celebrating his 23rd birthday at Hadlock Field, the right-hander allowed four earned runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts over just two-plus innings of work. All four of those runs were scored in the top of the second. Dylan Spacke and Christopher Troye then combined to strike out seven across six scoreless frames before Ryan Zeferjahn gave up the game-winning run in the ninth.
After being robbed of a home run in the third inning, Marcelo Mayer led off the bottom of the sixth by going deep for the fourth time as a Sea Dog. The solo shot was Mayer's lone hit of the night, though he also drew a walk and scored another run in the seventh. Batting behind Mayer, Chase Meidroth went 2 for 4 with a double, a run scored, and a walk out of the cleanup spot to extend his on-base streak to 25 games. Corey Rosier tripled out of the nine-hole while leadoff man Ceddanne Rafaela went 1 for 5 with an RBI double.
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Not much went right for the Greenville pitching staff in this one. Starter Dalton Rogers got tagged for seven earned runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Jordan DiValerio then surrendered two runs in 2 1/3 innings before Aaron Perry and Nathan Landry combined to allow eight runs from the middle of the sixth through the end of the eighth.
Despite having eight hits as a team, Greenville's only two runs came by way of the long ball. Roman Anthony opened the scoring by cranking a solo shot to lead off the game. Alex Erro then went deep four innings later. For Anthony, it was his third home run in eight games with the Drive. Erro, on the other hand, went 3 for 4 with his second big fly of the year. Brainer Bonaci also went 2 for 4 with a walk.
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Down East Wood Ducks (TEX), Salem Red Sox (Cancelled)
Wednesday's contest between the Wood Ducks and the Red Sox at Carilion Clinic Field was canceled due to inclement weather.
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Completing Monday's rain-shortened contest, Franklin Arias led the way offensively by going 4 for 6 with a two-run home run, three runs scored, and a stolen base. The homer was the first of Arias' professional career. Jancel Santana also left the yard by hitting a two-run homer. Other than Arias, Claudio Evangelista, Yohander Linarez, Andruw Mussett, and Nixson Cueche enjoyed multi-hit performances.
Gilberto Batista made his third start of the Dominican Summer League season and allowed five earned runs in 1 2/3 innings. In relief of Batista, Denison Sanchez took the loss after getting tagged for six runs on four hits (two home runs) in the bottom of the fifth.
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Player of the Day: Signed to a minor-league contract on Monday, Kyle Barraclough did not let the quick turnaround affect him on Wednesday. The 33-year-old hurler induced 10 swings-and-misses and sat between 89-92 mph with his four-seam fastball while mixing in a slider, cutter, and changeup. He should provide Boston with some intriguing depth moving forward.
Photo Credit: Marcelo Mayer by Kelly O'Connor