July 17, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Gonzalez dazzles in Portland debut; Dalbec powers Worcester
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It was a high-scoring affair in Jacksonville to close out the weekend. Stephen Scott paced the Worcester lineup out of the nine-hole, going 3 for 5 with an RBI single, and RBI double, and one run scored. Daniel Palka and Nick Sogard each enjoyed three-hit days as well, as the former doubled twice and scored two runs while the latter drove in one run and scored another. Ceddanne Rafaela went 2 for 4 with a run-scoring infield single. Batting behind him, Bobby Dalbec drew two walks and crushed a 455-foot solo shot for his 22nd home run of the season. Out of the leadoff spot, David Hamilton went 1 for 4 with an RBI, a walk, two runs scored, and his 31st stolen base of the year.
Shane Drohan did not have the best of times in his 11th start of the season for Worcester. Pitching in his home state of Florida for the first time as a professional, the 24-year-old lefty allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits and four walks with six strikeouts over just 3 2/3 innings. Three of those runs came in the bottom of the first and the other three came two innings later. All told, Drohan needed 85 pitches (53 strikes) to record 11 outs. As a result of Drohan's short outing, the WooSox were forced to use six different relievers. Norwith Gudino tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to eventually earn the winning decision. The rehabbing John Schreiber then gave up a solo homer to Jake Mangum in the sixth before Ryan Fernandez and Chase Shugart combined for two shutout frames. Justin Garza got the ball to start the ninth inning but was only able to record one out before a rain delay ensued. Once play resumed, Cam Booser allowed an inherited runner to score before ultimately closing it out to notch his first career save at the Triple-A level.
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Though he did not factor into the decision, Wikelman Gonzalez shined in his Double-A debut for Portland. The 21-year-old righty did not allow a run over six strong innings, scattering four hits, one walk, and one hit batsman to go along with nine strikeouts on the evening. He finished with 94 pitches (64 strikes) and induced 15 swings-and-misses. In relief of Gonzalez, Brendan Cellucci struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning. Robert Kwiatkowski then gave up a game-tying, two-run homer in the eighth before Joe Jones surrendered a walk-off solo shot to lead off the bottom of the ninth. As a result, Kwiatkowski was hit with the blown save while Jones took the loss.
Despite outhitting the opposition, 8-7, the Portland lineup could only muster two runs on Sunday. Elih Marrero played a role in how both of those runs were scored in the top of the eighth, as he followed a Corey Rosier triple with an RBI single. He them moved up to third base himself before scoring on a fielding error. Marrero -- who also stole two bases -- and Tyler Dearden (2 for 4 with a double) were the only Sea Dogs to record multiple hits. Elsewhere, Tyler McDonough doubled while the rehabbing Pablo Reyes went 0 for 4 with a walk and three strikeouts out of the leadoff spot.
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While the Sea Dogs were held to two runs in Reading, the Drive had just two hits as a team in Sunday's shutout loss to Hickory. Eduardo Lopez, who went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk, was responsible for one of those hits. Allan Castro (1 for 4) was responsible for the other. Ronald Rosario and Karson Simas each drew a walk as well while Roman Anthony (0 for 4) struck out three times in the same game for just the second time this season and for the first time with Greenville.
Juan Daniel Encarnacion took a tough loss in his 15th start of the season for the Drive. The 22-year-old righty yielded two runs on two hits and two walks to go along with three strikeouts over five solid innings. Both of those runs came on a two-run blast in the bottom of the first, but Encarnacion ultimately settled down and retired 14 of the final 16 batters he faced. Out of the Greenville bullpen, Felix Cepeda, Nate Tellier, and Alex Hoppe combined for three scoreless, no-hit innings of relief. Cepeda, making his High-A debut struck out the side in order in the bottom of the sixth.
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This was the makeup of Saturday's game, which was suspended in the fourth inning due to rain. After Jedixson Paez struck out seven over four innings of one-run ball, Matt Litwicki struggled mightily in his Low-A debut. The Indiana product got the call for the fifth inning but could only record one out in the process of surrendering three runs on two hits and three walks. Nathanael Cruz and Caleb Bolden each gave up a run as well while Marques Johnson fanned two in a scoreless eighth inning.
Alexis Hernandez led the way offensively for Salem, going 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs out of the three-hole. Jhostynxon Garcia -- who scored a run and stole a base -- and Juan Montero -- who doubled and scored two runs -- also put together multi-hit performances. For Hernandez, this marked the first three-RBI game of his young career.
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Offense was at a premium for Salem in Sunday's seven-inning contest. The Red Sox' lone run in this one came on a Lyonell James groundout in the bottom of the first inning. While he did not score or drive in a run, Mikey Romero went 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and a stolen base out of the two-hole. The 19-year-old infielder is now batting .333 (7 for 21) through his first five games with Salem this season.
Noah Dean went four innings in his 14th start of the season for Salem. The 22-year-old lefty allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and three walks to go along with four strikeouts on 76 pitches (46 strikes). In relief of Dean, Luis Talavera and Jhonny Felix combined for three scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
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Player of the Day: One day after his former rotation mate Angel Bastardo dominated for Greenville, Wikelman Gonzalez put together an impressive performance of his own in his first start for Portland. Like his fellow countryman, Gonzalez struck out nine over six scoreless innings and missed plenty of bats in doing so. The 21-year-old Venezuelan is currently ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Wikelman Gonzalez by Kelly O'Connor