August 5, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rafaela homers in fourth straight; Yuten powers FCL Sox
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Ceddanne Rafaela made his promised appearance for Superhero Night at Syracuse's NBT Bank Stadium, as the center fielder has gone deep in each of the first four games of the series. Friday's edition was a two-run shot in the eighth inning that gave Worcester valuable breathing room. Rafaela also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Bobby Dalbec went back-to-back with Rafaela in the eighth inning, number 26 on the year for the slugging veteran. Trevor Story had a pair of hits as he continues his rehab assignment, while David Hamilton was 2 for 4 out of the leadoff slot. It was plenty of support for another quality start by Kyle Barraclough, who allowed one run on three hits in six innings, striking out one and walking three. The 33-year-old right-hander has earned the winning decision in each of his seven starts since joining the WooSox, and he lowered his ERA with the club to 2.57. Ryan Fernandez, Justin Garza, and Brendan Nail went a scoreless inning apiece in relief.
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Portland continued its slide, falling for the eighth time in 10 games and falling out of first place in the Eastern League Northeast Division. Grant Gambrell was knocked out before the sixth for the first time since June, surrendering four runs on six hits in four innings. The bullpen had an excellent effort to keep things close, with four hurlers combining for four hitless innings. Christopher Troye and Ryan Zeferjahn both went 1 2/3, while Brandon Cellucci and Theo Denlinger both retired the only batter they faced. Chase Meidroth led the way at the plate, going 1 for 2 with a two-run homer and a pair of walks. Phillip Sikes picked up a pair of doubles, while Nick Yorke and Corey Rosier had two hits apiece.
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A four-run fourth inning powered Greenville in the make-up of Thursday night's rain out. Bryan Gonzalez led off the inning with a solo home run, and Keir Meredith blasted a two-run homer to put the Drive in front. It was Meredith's first of the season and just his second as a professional. Eddinson Paulino was 2 for 3 with a double, and Roman Anthony also notched a two-base hit. Juan Daniel Encarnacion got the victory, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits in five innings, striking out seven against two walks. Felix Cepeda struck out one in two hitless frames for the save.
Rome roared back with a six-run seventh-inning rally, denying Greenville the sweep. Anthony picked up another pair of hits, bringing him to 7 for 15 in four games to open August. Gonzalez and Tyler Miller also had two hits apiece. Dalton Rogers got the start, giving up three runs on eight hits in four innings. He struck out five against two walks. Aaron Perry went two scoreless innings, his longest outing since July 7, 2021.
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Salem was outscored 15-5 in Friday's twinbill and has now lost five straight. Yorberto Mejicano provided the offense in the opener with a two-run homer in the fourth. Lyonell James was 2 for 2 with a walk and a run scored. It was a tough start for Elvis Soto, who allowed five runs (four earned) in 1 2/3.
Johnfrank Salazar was the highlight of the nightcap, delivering three of Salem's seven hits, including his first home run since his promotion from the FCL. He added a double and a pair of runs. James and Cutter Coffey also contributed doubles for the Sox. Yordanny Monegro was saddled with the loss, allowing three runs in four innings, striking out three against two walks. He has not surrendered a home run in 2023 in nine starts between the FCL and Carolina League.
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A big day by Natanael Yuten and a patient one by Nazzan Zanetello led the FCL squad. Yuten narrowly missed hitting for the cycle, missing only a double. He finished 3 for 5 with a homer, triple, RBI, and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Zanatello walked three times in his second professional start, swiping three bases and scoring two runs. Armando Sierra contributed a two-run homer in the sixth. Cristian Nunez had a strong start, scattering four hits across four scoreless innings, striking out two, and walking three. Darlyn De La Cruz got the win in relief.
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The contest was called after five innings for rain, which meant there was only enough time for Yoeilin Cespedes to pick up two hits. The scorching-hot shortstop singled and tripled, driving in two runs and scoring another. Raimundo De Los Santos was 2 for 3 with and RBI and run scored out of the leadoff slot. Jesus Garcia got credit for the win, giving up one run on six hits in four innings.
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DSL Red Sox Red vs. DSL Nationals, canceled
Rain did not allow Team Red's contest to get started. There are no plans for a makeup as they do not play the Nationals again this season.
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Player of the Day: Natanael Yuten has been one of the most impressive prospects for the FCL squad, and he continued his excellent season with a big day on Friday. The 18-year-old outfielder had a triple and a homer as part of a three-hit effort out of his usual leadoff spot. Despite a lanky frame that if anything appears taller than his listed 6-foot, 150-pound measurements, he ranks sixth in the Florida Complex League with a .508 slugging percentage. Yuten continues to move up in prospect status as well, pushing his way up to 44th on the new SoxProspects.com rankings released on Friday.
Photo Credit: Natanael Yuten by Kelly O'Connor