June 24, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Cup of Coffee: Bonaci, Paulino both homer twice; Romero returns
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With a depleted roster due to injuries to the major league club, the WooSox comeback effort fell short. Every member of Worcester's lineup reached base at least once, with eight of the nine starters reaching twice or more. Narciso Crook blasted a two-run homer in the fourth inning, while Ronaldo Hernandez was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI. Rio Gomez took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits in 2 2/3 innings. Theo Denlinger was the highlight in the bullpen, giving up just one hit in two scoreless frames, striking out three without issuing a walk.
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It was a successful Double-A debut for Hunter Dobbins as the Sea Dogs snapped a four-game skid. Dobbins allowed one run on three hits in five innings, striking out five and walking three. The only minor qualm with the outing would have been with his efficiency, as he needed 95 pitches to complete those five frames. Joe Jones allowed one run in 1 1/3 to record his first save since his promotion in mid-May. Elih Marrero paced the offense out of the ninth spot in the order, going 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI. A day after his on-base streak came to an end, Chase Meidroth was back at it, going 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Nathan Hickey also had two knocks, and Marcelo Mayer delivered a pair of sacrifice flies.
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The double-play tandem of shortstop Eddinson Paulino and second baseman Brainer Bonaci (pictured, right) combined for a huge effort to power the Drive, going 6 for 10 with 20 total bases and six RBI. Bonaci blasted a solo home run in the first and a two-run shot in the second, followed by a Paulino two-run homer later in the second and a solo round-tripper in the fourth. Both players added a double apiece and turned a 6-4-3 double play. Scorching-hot Blaze Jordan was 2 for 4 with a walk, bringing his line to .426/.517/.702 during a 13-game hitting streak. Miguel Ugueto also delivered three hits, driving in a pair of runs and stealing a base.
Wikelman Gonzalez continues to be a strikeout machine, fanning 10 batters over five innings. He allowed one run on four hits, walking one. In nine starts in May and June, Gonzalez has a 2.89 ERA with 73 strikeouts over 43 2/3 innings.
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Following a pair of rainouts to end the first half of the season, the rain lifted to kick off the second half of the campaign. Allan Castro had a big night for the Sox, going 2 for 4 with a two-run homer, a double, and a walk. Cutter Coffey had a pair of hits, and Enderso Lira added a double. Jose Ramirez had a rare tough start, allowing seven runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings. While four of those seven runs were scored as unearned, the error was committed by Ramirez as well. A quintet of relievers came on to hold the Wood Ducks at bay for 7 1/3 scoreless innings, led by 2 1/3 frames by Gabriel Jackson.
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FCL Twins 5, FCL Red Sox 2 (Game 1)
Despite the loss, it was a big day in Fort Myers as 2022 first-round pick Mikey Romero returned to the field after missing nearly three months with a back strain. Romero got the start at shortstop and the second spot in the batting order. Things got off to an inauspicious start as he grounded into a double play in the first inning, but he ripped a double in the third and came around to score as Johanfran Garcia doubled behind him. Romero ended up playing five innings, going 1 for 3 in total. Cristian Nunez also made his 2023 debut, getting the start and striking out two batters in a perfect inning. Luis Cohen took the loss, giving up four runs on five hits in two frames.
FCL Twins 5, FCL Red Sox 1 (Game 2)
After managing only two hits in the opener, the FCL Sox lineup was limited to just two in the nightcap. Johnfrank Salazar had a double and scored the lone run, while Brooks Brannon added the other hit. Wyatt Olds got the start as he tries to rebuild after a difficult stretch at Portland plagued by major control troubles. Olds cruised through three scoreless innings but ran into trouble in the fourth. Overall, he allowed five runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out three and walking three, adding a hit batsman and a wild pitch.
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Team Blue has only four losses on the season, and two of them have come from their intra-system rivals. A trio of the Red squad's hurlers limited the Blue team's usually-potent lineup to three hits, all against starter Daniel Nunez. Oscar Sanchez got the win with 1 2/3 hitless frames, striking out three and walking one. Yosander Asencio had two hits out of the leadoff spot, and Nathanael German delivered a two-run triple.
On the Blue side, Kleyver Salazar joined his older brother with a double on the day, with Luis Arredondo adding a two-bagger as well. Jesus Garcia turned in a solid start, giving up just one earned run on two hits in four innings, striking out three against one walk.
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Players of the Day: While Brainer Bonaci and Eddinson Paulino were twins on Friday, with both blasting two homers and a double as part of matching 3-for-5 nights, their seasons have been very different. Brainer Bonaci has been a standout performer when he's been able to get onto the field. Bonaci has a sterling .331/.390/.548 slash line but has been limited to 31 games as his season got started late due to a visa issue followed by a hamstring issue in May. Paulino has been extremely dependable in terms of getting into the lineup, ranking among the organization leaders in games played and plate appearances while shuffling between second base, shortstop, and third. However he had been mired in horrible slump, hitting just .180/.265/.258 without a home run in 24 games before Friday's breakout.
Photo Credit: Eddinson Paulino, Brainer Bonaci by Kelly O'Connor