July 30, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Paez in control for Salem with six shutout frames
-----
Rochester Red Wings (WAS) 1, Worcester Red Sox 0, suspended (2nd)
They made a valiant attempt to get a ballgame in before the rain became unplayable but had to halt with two on and nobody out in the bottom of the second. One day after his 14-game hitting streak ended, Ceddanne Rafaela got back on track with a single in his only plate appearance. Brandon Walter allowed a run on three hits in two innings in his first outing since being optioned from Boston. They'll try to complete it on what looks to be a beautiful Sunday at Polar Park, immediately before the regularly scheduled game.
-----
Portland held a 3-2 lead into the ninth, but Richmond scraped a pair of runs for an extremely rare comeback against Luis Guerrero. It was only the third time all season that Guerrero has allowed more than one run in an outing, and in both of those instances, both runs had been charged as unearned. To go back to the last time the right-hander had given up two earned runs, you have to go back to August 24 of last year. Hits had been hard to come by for Richmond until that point. Wikelman Gonzalez surrendered two runs on two hits in five innings, striking out and walking four apiece. Ryan Miller, Ryan Zeferjahn, and Joe Jones each threw a scoreless inning, with a seventh-inning single against Zeferjahn the only hit the trio surrendered.
Tyler Dearden was the standout at the plate. He was the only Portland player to register either multiple hits or a knock of the extra-base variety, going 2 for 2 with a double and two walks. Nick Yorke also picked up a hit, while Chase Meidroth saw his hitting streak snapped at seven games.
-----
It was a strong pitchers' duel on Saturday, pitting Dalton Rogers against Natick High School product Sean Harney. Rogers look the loss, giving up two runs on three hits in 5 2/3, striking out five against three walks. Harney, Tampa's 2022 eighth-round pick, gave up one run in four innings before giving way to the bullpen. Casey Cobb had a strong showing out of the bullpen, scattering three hits in 2 1/3 scoreless frames. At the plate, Bryan Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with a double and a run driven in. Max Ferguson added a double, while Brainer Bonaci and Allan Castro had a base hit each.
-----
Jedixson Paez turned in an absolutely dominant performance on Saturday to lead Salem. The 19-year-old right-hander surrendered just two baserunners in six shutout innings, hitting a batter in the second inning and surrendering a one-out double in the fourth. He struck out five batters and has not issued a walk in four July starts. Albert Feliz provided plenty of support, going 2 for 3 with a home run, double, two runs scored, and three RBI. Jhostynxon Garcia had a pair of doubles, while Enderso Lira added a pair of base hits.
-----
FCL Red Sox 8, FCL Twins 2 (completion of 7/28)
The Sox and Twins had a contest on their schedule, but apparently only completed Friday's rain-shortened affair. The Sox had a 4-1 advantage in the fifth when play stopped, and they outscored the Twins 4-1 upon resumption. Johanfran Garcia had homered on Friday and finished the game 3 for 5. Marvin Alcantara ripped a pair of doubles, as did a rehabbing Bradley Zimmer. Christian Koss also had a two-bagger during his rehab effort. Connor Butler took over on the mound upon resumption, going 1 1/3 scoreless. Luis Cohen followed, giving up an unearned run on two hits in three innings, striking out two and walking one. Normally a used in a starter or piggyback role, it was a rare chance for Cohen to finish out a ballgame, and he got credit for his first professional save. He has been excellent in July, posting a 1.42 ERA in 19 innings.
-----
Player of the Day: Jedixson Paez has drawn plaudits during his time in the system for his excellent control and pitchability, particularly for his young age. That was on display on Saturday as he went six innings for the first time in his career, giving up just one hit. He has been outstanding all month, giving up just two runs in 20 innings (a 0.90 ERA), surrendering just 10 hits, and striking out 20. He has not allowed a walk or a homer during that stretch, and he's lowered his season ERA from 5.17 to 3.70.
Photo Credit: Jedixson Paez by Kelly O'Connor