June 23, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Binelas goes deep twice, Mayer once in Sea Dogs loss
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With Brandon Walter doing the bulk of the work in the majors on Thursday, Norwith Gudino grabbed the spot start. The veteran right-hander turned in a quality performance, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings. Lehigh Valley broke out with a four-run seventh against Taylor Broadway that included a two-run homer by old friend Esteban Quiroz. Niko Goodrum was the highlight at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a walk, double, stolen base, run scored, and an RBI out of the leadoff slot. Marcus Wilson scored a pair of runs as part of a two-hit night.
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Alex Binelas delivered a big night at the plate but the Sea Dogs fell to their fourth consecutive defeat. Binelas blasted a two-run homer in the sixth inning and followed with a solo shot in the eighth, accounting for three of the five Portland scores. Marcelo Mayer also went deep for the fifth time since his promotion and the 12th time this year, while Phillip Sikes delivered a three-hit effort. Chase Meidroth was 0 for 5, bringing his 25-game on-base streak to an end.
Grant Gambrell got off to a good start with three hitless innings but ran into trouble with a four-run fourth. In all, Gambrell surrendered six runs on eight hits in five frames, striking out seven against two walks. Luis Guerrero had a good showing out of the Portland 'pen, striking out the side in the eighth inning, sandwiching one walk.
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It wasn't the most stylish way to clinch a playoff berth, but the loss by Winston-Salem sends the Drive to the postseason as first-half champs of the South Atlantic League Southern Division. The good news comes on a day that little went right on the field, as Greenville joined the major league squad on the wrong end of a three-hit shutout. Blaze Jordan extended his hitting streak to 12 games, going 1 for 3 with a walk. Roman Anthony walked and stole a base but was pulled from the game in the fifth inning. It was a tough Greenville debut for Bradley Blalock, who surrendered four runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out six, walked two, and surrendered a two-run homer in the first.
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Salem Red Sox vs. Down East Wood Ducks (TEX), canceled
The rain continued in Salem, leading to a second straight cancellation. As the first-half standings have already been determined, the game will not be made up.
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The FCL Sox benefitted from 11 Oriole walks and three errors in a comeback victory. Johanfran Garcia continues to be a spark, going 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored. Kelvin Diaz hit a sixth-inning solo home run, while Johnfrank Salazar doubled as part of a two-hit afternoon. Starter Elvis Soto allowed four runs on two hits in 3 1/3 innings, striking out two and issuing five walks. Francis Hernandez went three innings out of the bullpen to earn credit for the win.
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Nixson Cueche had yet another multi-hit game, going 2 for 4 with two RBI in the victory. The third baseman is now 10 for 20 (.500) and has multiple hits in four out of seven games. Geiser Figueroa got his first professional win, allowing three unearned runs on two hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked three. Breilin Arredondo went the final four innings for the save, surrendering three runs (two earned.)
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Team Blue moved to 10-3 on the season as Yoeilin Cespedes continues to impress. The shortstop extended his hitting streak to seven games, going 2 for 4 with a run scored. Yoiber Ruiz and Kleyver Salazar had two hits apiece in the win. Nicolas De La Cruz got the start, giving up two runs on two hits in three innings. He was again followed by Darlyn De La Cruz (no relation) who was outstanding in getting the winning decision. Darlyn gave up just one hit in 3 1/3 scoreless frames, striking out six and walking two. Cesar Ruiz contributed another 2 2/3 scoreless frames, also only giving up one hit.
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Player of the Day: It has been a bumpy 2023 campaign for Alex Binelas. While David Hamilton, the other player acquired in the Hunter Renfroe trade, has enjoyed a breakout season that culminated in Wednesday's major league debut, Binelas has seen his OPS hover below .600 for much of the season. That has started to shift of late, however. With his two home runs on Thursday night, Binelas has a June slash line of .357/.379/.750 with five extra-base hits in 29 plate appearances.
Photo Credit: Alex Binelas by Kelly O'Connor