August 30, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Song tosses five shutout innings in Greenville win
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Yu Chang got the night started off well for Worcester, belting a three-run homer in the second to give them a 3-0 lead. With the score tied at three in the third, Bradley Zimmer put Worcester back on top with a two-run single. Zimmer added another single to his night as well. Ronaldo Hernandez also hit his 17th home run of the season. Brian Van Belle started for Worcester and allowed four earned runs over four innings on five hits. He struggled with his control, walking five, but he did punch out four. Oddanier Mosqueda was terrific out of the bullpen, tossing 2 1/3 hitless innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Justin Garza and Cam Booser combined to allow four late runs in a tough loss for the Sox.
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Hunter Dobbins took a tough loss in this one, as the righty surrendered just two runs over six innings of work. He struck out four and walked a pair. Theo Denlinger allowed a run in his lone inning, while Jacob Webb did not allow a run or a hit in two innings with three strikeouts. Portland had just seven men reach base all night, with Nick Yorke being responsible for three of those. The second baseman went 1 for 2 with his 22nd double, an RBI, two walks, and a stolen base. Blaze Jordan and Chase Meidroth had the only other two hits for the Sea Dogs, both singles. Corey Rosier added his 45th stolen base of the season.
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Noah Song led the way in this one with his best outing since coming back to the Red Sox organization. He only allowed one hit and no runs in five innings, his longest outing of the year for the Drive. He only struck out one and walked three. Reidis Sena had a strong showing in relief, throwing 1 2/3 hitless frames with three strikeouts. Max Ferguson had a great night at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a pair of doubles and two runs driven in. Roman Anthony was also 1 for 2 with two walks and two runs scored. Allan Castro knocked in a run, scored a run, and stole a bag, while Bryan Gonzalez ripped an RBI single as well.
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After a rain delay to start this one, Salem fought back from an 8-2 deficit by putting a five-spot up in the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough. Johnfrank Salazar hit a three-run homer in that seventh inning to pull Salem within a run. The first baseman also walked and scored twice. Stanley Tucker hit his first home run of the season as well in the seventh. Johanfran Garcia was 2 for 5 with a double and an RBI, and Natanael Yuten picked up two singles and two RBI. Jose Ramirez' tough-luck season continued, as he allowed eight runs over 3 2/3 innings, but only two of them were earned. He did struggle with control, walking five, but he is now just 3-10 on the year despite a very solid 3.81 ERA. Garrett Ramsey didn't allow a run in 1 1/3 innings, and Railin Perez was tremendous with two shutout innings that included four strikeouts and no free passes.
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Player of the Day: Noah Song dropped his ERA to 2.81 in five games since returning to Greenville. He has thrown 16 innings so far, allowing 13 hits and a .220 batting average against. He has eight strikeouts and seven walks. Over his past two outings, he has only allowed one run in nine innings with just four hits allowed.
Photo Credit: Noah Song by Kelly O'Connor