July 22, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Story, Kluber rehab in Portland; Bastardo strikes out 14
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Worcester Red Sox @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (NYY), Suspended
The game got suspended at the top of the fourth after an electrical issue caused the power to go out in right field. Shane Drohan allowed four runs over three innings before the game got called.
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Portland Sea Dogs 6, New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR) 6, Suspended
The Sea Dogs had a four-run lead entering the ninth, but the Fisher Cats came back to tie it before the game got called for the day due to rain. Trevor Story made his impact felt with a three-run home run in his first game of the season. Story played shortstop and went 1 for 2 with a walk and converted both his chances in the field. Marcelo Mayer went 1 for 4 with a triple and a walk while playing his first professional game at third base. Corey Rosier went 2 for 3 with a solo home run, while Chase Meidroth, Blaze Jordan, and Phillip Sikes doubled.
Joe Jones served as the opener and pitched a scoreless first before giving way to Corey Kluber. In his first rehab appearance, Kluber allowed one baserunner over two scoreless innings. Hunter Dobbins went the next five innings, striking out eight while allowing two runs. Ryan Zeferjahn was charged with four runs while recording one out in the ninth.
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Luis Perales' High-A debut was worth the wait as he struck out five and allowed one run over five innings. The lone run scored on a solo home run, and he did not walk a batter while inducing 16 swinging strikes on 65 pitches. This game remained tied until the last inning when the Tourists scored eight times. Joey Stock gave up six of the runs without getting an out. Allan Castro had three of the Drive's six hits in his best game since his promotion. He finished 3 for 4 with a triple, and Ronald Rosario went 1 for 3 with a three-run home run.
While Perales was impressive in game one, Angel Bastardo was dominant in game two. Bastardo threw all seven innings and allowed just three hits while striking out 14. He seemingly got better as the game went on, striking out seven of the last nine batters he faced. Castro and Rosario were key again, with Castro adding a double and driving in two. Rosario added two RBI, and Brainer Bonaci went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.
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Yordanny Monegro finally allowed his first run in Low-A in a loss to the Wood Ducks. It was still a solid start, as Monegro went 3 2/3 and allowed one run while striking out seven. His ERA rose to 0.48. Yorberto Mejicano went 2 for 4 with a triple and a solo home run, Cutter Coffey went 3 for 4 with a walk, and Jhostynxon Garcia went 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI.
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In completing a suspended game from July 15, the Red Sox pulled away from the Twins. The game was delayed in the fifth inning after Dan Altavilla opened with a scoreless frame and Luis Cohen struck out four over three scoreless innings. Cristian Nunez started Friday off by allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings, but Garrett Ramsey struck out the side in the ninth to seal the victory. Three players sparked the offense, led by Johanfran Garcia, who went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI. Natanael Yuten and Angel Pierre went 3 for 5, with Pierre adding a triple and Yuten contributing two steals.
The box score will look bizarre as Altavilla opened this game too. He allowed one run and struck out two over 1 1/3. Wyatt Olds walked only one and struck out six but still allowed two runs in his 2 2/3 innings. Armando Sierra and Kelvin Diaz had multi-hit games, with Sierra going 2 for 4 with an RBI and Diaz going 2 for 3 with a triple. Pierre added another extra-base hit as he went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk.
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The Red Sox won a slugfest with five starters collecting two hits. Jose Liriano and Alex Castillo were the stars, with Liriano going 2 for 4 with a walk and his fourth home run. Castillo connected on his first career home run as part of a 2-for-5 day with a triple and three RBI. Franyer Noria scored four times while going 2 for 4 with two doubles. The pitching started strong, with Daniel Nunez firing four innings of one-run ball, but the bullpen struggled, with each reliever allowing at least two runs.
The Blue squad got the best of the other Brewers team, led by Yoeilin Cespedes. Cespedes went 2 for 4 with a double, walk, and two RBI. Starlyn Nunez was on base three times, going 3 for 5 with a triple and an RBI. Jesus Garcia, Darlyn De La Cruz, and Daury Pena combined to allow just two runs on seven hits, but they also walked nine. Garcia and De La Cruz had four walks apiece.
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Player of the Day: Angel Bastardo had one of the best pitching performances from a Red Sox prospect this season as he tossed a complete game shutout for the Drive in the second game of a doubleheader. He allowed just three baserunners and struck out 14. On the season the 22-year-old now has 119 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings. In four starts in July, he is 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA while striking out 36 in 24 innings. Currently ranked 40th in the system, Bastardo will be Rule 5 Draft eligible this December. We will see if that causes the Red Sox to bump him up to Portland to get a better look before the end of the year.
Photo Credit: Angel Bastardo by Kelly O'Connor