July 28, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Soto shines in Salem debut, with support from Garcia
7/28 Cup of Coffee: Only one stateside affiliate was victorious on Thursday. Elvis Soto turned in a strong start for Salem in his first outing since his promotion from the Florida Complex League, and Jhostynxon Garcia (pictured) provided the offense. Hunter Dobbins and Luis Perales were both uncharacteristically off in losses for Portland and Greenville, respectively. Ceddanne Rafaela extended his hitting streak for Worcester in a blowout loss. There was good news in the form of a sweep by the DSL squads. Yoeilin Cespedes again paced Team Blue in a lightning-shortened contest, while three pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout for Team Red.
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Worcester surrendered a pair of runs in the ninth as they fell short in Thursday's back-and-forth affair. Dinelson Lamet turned in a strong start, giving up a run on four hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked one. Ryan Fernandez took the loss, coming on for the ninth and surrendering a decisive two-run homer. Trevor Story and Reese McGuire continued their rehab stints. Story went 0 for 3 with a walk and run scored as the designated hitter, while McGuire went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Ceddanne Rafaela singled in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to 14 games and Bobby Dalbec blasted his 25th home run of the year. David Hamilton had a good evening at the plate, going 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, and two stolen bases.
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Little went right for the Sea Dogs as they suffered their third consecutive defeat. Hunter Dobbins had an uneven night that was better than his final line suggested. After giving up a pair of runs in a shaky first inning, he settled in nicely, giving up just two singles in the next three frames before running into trouble again in the fifth. Overall, he surrendered five runs on six hits over five innings, striking out six against four walks. Luis Guerrero was a highlight out of the bullpen, striking out the side in a perfect eighth inning. Chase Meidroth doubled, walked, and scored a pair of runs as part of his 1-for-3 evening. Nathan Hickey also had a double for Portland.
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It was a rare off night for Luis Perales in his second High-A outing. The 20-year-old righty allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits in two innings, with much of the damage coming on a three-run homer in the second. He walked four and struck out three, throwing just 30 of 59 pitches for strikes. It was the first time since opening day that Perales had allowed more than three runs and it ends a run of six straight starts of at least five innings. Jordan DiValerio worked three innings of relief but suffered through a four-run fifth inning. Brock Bell and Alex Hoppe combined for three scoreless frames to close things out. All of the Greenville offense came on the long ball. Eddinson Paulino delivered a solo shot in the second, while Bryan Gonzalez had a two-run blast in the sixth.
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Elvis Soto brought down the house in his full-season debut. The 19-year-old went four shutout innings, surrendering just two hits, and striking out three against two walks. Jhonny Felix gave up three runs in two innings in relief but got credit for the win as Salem retook the lead in the sixth. Railin Perez struck out three in two scoreless frames, while Jonathan Brand fired a perfect ninth with two strikeouts for the save. Jhostynxon Garcia led the way at the plate, going 3 for 4 with two runs, two RBIs, a double, and a home run. Mikey Romero contributed an RBI triple, and Johnfrank Salazar had a base hit and a walk.
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The lineup managed only two hits, both singles, in a blowout loss to the Pirates squad. One of the two hits belonged to a rehabbing Christian Koss, who also drew a walk. Kelvin Diaz had the other knock. Francis Hernandez took the loss in his first start of the season, surrendering two runs on four hits in two frames. Jogly Garcia had a notable performance out of the bullpen, giving up just one hit in three shutout innings.
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A trio of Team Red's hurlers combined for a two-hit shutout that featured 14 strikeouts. Ovis Portes made his 2023 debut, striking out the side in the first as the opener. Gilberto Batista followed, giving up just one hit in four frames, striking out five, and walking only one. He got credit for the victory, his first as a professional. Geiser Figueroa also limited the Tigers to one hit over four innings. He struck out six without issuing a walk, earning the save. Natanael Eusebio was 3 for 3 with a run scored and a stolen base to lead the offense.
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A five-run fifth inning came just before the lightning, which came before the sixth to end the contest early. The five frames gave Yoeilin Cespedes plenty of time to do his damage, as he went 2 for 2 with a run scored, a walk, and his 11th double of the year. Catcher Liosward Marin launched his first pro home run as part of a two-hit afternoon. Starter Nicolas De La Cruz joined Batista in getting his first professional win, giving up one run on two hits in four innings.
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Player of the Day: He's been overshadowed by the emergence of little brother Johanfran, but Jhostynxon Garcia has been a solid contributor for Salem. Originally signed to a $350,000 bonus in July 2019, Garcia began the season in extended spring training. After easing into a part-time role after his early June promotion, he has moved into a regular spot in the Salem outfield, splitting time between center and right field.
Photo Credit: Jhostynxon Garcia by Kelly O'Connor