August 18, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Song shows rust, Romero suffers injury in Greenville loss
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The WooSox were limited to three hits by a quartet of Scranton hurlers, but a Ceddanne Rafaela solo home run in the eighth actually knotted the score at 1-1 heading into the ninth. It was the 13th home run in 39 Triple-A games for Rafaela and his 19th overall on the year. Wilyer Abreu continued his smashing August, collecting Worcester's other two base hits. Brandon Walter surrendered a solo homer in the first but was unscored upon again in his start, giving up three hits in five innings. He struck out two against two walks. Andres Nunez went a scoreless frame, followed by two shutout innings from Cam Booser. Scranton reached AJ Politi for a run in the ninth, dropping him to 7-4 on the year.
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Portland squandered a strong effort from CJ Liu and a shot at winnings its third straight. Liu surrendered just one run on two hits in five innings, striking out seven batters against just two walks. It was a return to form for the right-hander, who had allowed at least three runs in each of his previous five starts. Binghamton rallied for four runs in just 2/3 of an innings from Wyatt Olds. Dylan Spacke kept things close with 2 1/3 scoreless innings but to little avail. Tyler Esplin had a two-hit evening that included a double, Portland's lone extra-base hit. Nathan Hickey and Nick Yorke had two hits apiece, with Hickey driving in a pair.
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After being unscored upon in his first two outings, it was a more difficult go-around for the recently-returned Noah Song. The right-hander allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in three innings. He allowed a two-run homer, walked a batter, and did not record a strikeout on his way to his first professional losing decision. The Drive rallied several times as part of a 12-hit offensive attack but never led in the ballgame. Nick Decker (pictured, right) led the squad, going 3 for 4 with a double and triple. Gilberto Jimenez singled and stole a base in his first game back with the Drive since April 29.
2022 first-round pick Mikey Romero had to leave the game in the bottom of the first inning with an apparent injury. After fielding a grounder at short and throwing to first, he walked gingerly toward the pitcher's mound and then had to be carried off the field, seemingly unable to put pressure on his right leg. Romero has appeared in just 34 games this season after missing over three months with a back strain.
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Yordanny Monegro went four solid innings and was followed by a dominant bullpen effort in Salem's win. Monegro, the reigning SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Week, allowed two runs on four hits in those four frames, striking out five and walking one. Nathanael Cruz and Michael Valera followed with two hitless innings apiece. Both walked one batter, with Cruz striking out a pair and Valera punching out five of the seven batters he faced. Railin Perez gave up one hit in a scoreless ninth for the save. At the plate, Albert Feliz was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs scored. Enderso Lira added a double for the Sox.
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FCL Red Sox @ FCL Braves, postponed
Thursday's matchup between the two teams in a virtual tie for the Florida Complex League wild card was postponed by rain. They will try for a doubleheader on Monday, the penultimate day of the regular season. The Sox have a .003 percentage point lead, with both teams sitting just a half-game behind the division-leading FCL Pirates.
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Every member of Team Red's lineup had at least one knock during a 17-hit offensive explosion. Franklin Arias led the way, going 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Arias is 13 for 26 in eight games since returning from a two-week absence. Nixson Cueche was 3 for 5 with a walk and two RBI, while Alex Castillo blasted a three-run homer as part of a seven-run fifth inning. Starter Gilberto Batista gave up two runs in four innings, striking out seven. Danison Sanchez got credit for the win in relief.
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A six-run seventh-inning rally by the Tigers doomed the Blue squad. Three of the Sox' six hits came from shortstop Yoiber Ruiz, who scored one run and drove in a pair. Jesus Garcia turned in a strong start, giving up two runs on five hits in five frames, striking out three without issuing a walk. Converted shortstop Alisson Del Orbe gave up a pair of runs in relief to suffer his first loss on the mound.
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Player of the Day: Nick Decker was a highlight on an otherwise tough night for the Drive. The 2018 second-round pick fell a home run short of the cycle, collecting his 11th double and fourth triple of the year on a three-hit effort. The 23-year-old has shown a big improvement in his second go-around with the Drive, posting a solid .740 OPS after struggling to a .514 mark in 2022.
Photo Credit: Mikey Romero, Nick Decker by Kelly O'Connor