June 3, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Jordan, Lopez power Greenville rout; Rafaela shines for Portland
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The WooSox swoon continued with a fifth consecutive loss and the eighth in their last nine games. The person least responsible for the skid has been Bobby Dalbec, who homered for the ninth time in 16 games since rejoining the squad in mid-May. Adam Duvall also went deep, his first hit in three games of his rehab assignment. Christian Arroyo also made a rehab appearance, going 0 for 4. Jake Faria took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits in three innings.
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The loss did little to dampen the excitement of the Ceddanne Rafaela Show on Friday night, as the system's third-ranked prospect flashed all of the tools. At the plate, he blasted a two-run homer as part of a 3-for-4 night that included three runs scored and three RBI. On the bases, he stole home as part of a double-steal with Marcelo Mayer in the first inning. In the field, he robbed old friend Jeisson Rosario as he crashed against the center field wall. He had some support, notably from Chase Meidroth who went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Mayer is still in search of his first Double-A hit, but he did draw a walk and steal a base. Nick Yorke saw his hitting streak snapped at seven games.
Little went right for Wyatt Olds, who made his first start since May 17. The right-hander allowed six runs on three hits while retiring just one batter. He walked three, hit a batter, surrendered a home run, and threw just 15 of 35 pitches for strikes. Brandon Nail was a highlight in the bullpen, giving up just one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out three without issuing a walk and lowered his ERA to 0.99. Ryan Fernandez also fired a scoreless inning of relief.
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Despite the surge of May promotions, Greenville continued to roll, winning for the 12th time in 15 contests as the offensive exploded with 18 hits. Blaze Jordan continues to impress at the plate, blasting a long home run as part of a 3-for-4 effort that also included a double, walk, three RBI, and three runs scored. Eduardo Lopez doubled twice and scored three runs as part of his four-hit performance. Max Ferguson and Tyler Miller added home runs, while Keir Meredith had a pair of doubles. The win was not without its downside, however, as hot-hitting Brainer Bonaci suffered what appeared to be a hamstring injury going from first to third on a base hit in the fourth inning.
Hunter Dobbins took advantage of the offensive outburst to settle in for a strong start. The Texas Tech product allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits across six innings, striking out seven without issuing a walk. It was the third straight quality start for the 23-year-old righty. Maceo Campbell allowed three runs in two innings and Casey Cobb fired a scoreless ninth to finish out the win.
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Salem Red Sox 2, Myrtle Beach Pelicans 0, Suspended (4th inning)
Heavy rains caused Salem's contest to be suspended just as the teams were about to head into the fourth inning. Jose Ramirez was in the midst of another strong start, with just one hit allowed in three shutout frames. Jhostynxson Garcia led off the scoring with his first hit since being added to the Salem roster. The game will finish on Saturday before the regularly scheduled contest.
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Player of the Day: Eduardo Lopez continues to quietly turn in a solid 2023 season. Overshadowed over the first two months by Blaze Jordan and the since-promoted Marcelo Mayer and Nathan Hickey, Lopez had two doubles and two singles to raise his season line to .286/.357/.420. The 21-year-old was Boston's top signing of the 2018 international free agent class, inking a $1.15 million bonus but has struggled with various injuries as a professional, appearing in just 147 career games heading into 2023.
Photo Credit: Eduardo Lopez by Kelly O'Connor