August 9, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Teel shines in Greenville debut
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The Sox broke out with a six-run second inning, led once again by Ceddanne Rafaela, who roped an RBI double in the frame. Wilyer Abreu had a big night as well with a 2-for-4 performance that included a walk and three RBI. David Hamilton reached base four times from the top spot in the order, singling and walking three times. He swiped his 42nd bag and scored three runs. Ronaldo Hernandez and Ryan Fitzgerald each went 2 for 5. The first five innings belonged to Rio Gomez, who allowed just one run on a solo shot. The lefty struck out four and only walked one. Ryan Fernandez was great out of the bullpen with two perfect innings and four strikeouts. Andrew Politi grabbed his 11th save with a two-strikeout ninth inning.
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Everything unraveled for Portland in the 10th inning when they allowed seven runs to break a tie. The game started out well for the Sea Dogs on the mound, starting with Wikelman Gonzalez, who allowed one run in four innings. He walked five, but made up for it with eight strikeouts, the third time he's reached that mark in four starts with Portland. Brendan Cellucci threw a scoreless inning, while Ryan Zeferjahn and Luis Guerrero each threw two shutout frames. Guerrero punched out three. Chase Meidroth, Blaze Jordan, and Matthew Lugo each had a two-hit game. Nick Yorke roped his 15th double of the year and scored the lone run.
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First-round pick Kyle Teel made his presence felt right away in his Drive debut on both offense and defense. The 14th overall selection went 3 for 5 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. He also nailed a runner at second on a stolen base attempt, showcasing an impressive pop time. Tyler Miller and Max Ferguson each had three-hit games as well, with Miller picking up two doubles, two RBI, and three runs. Roman Anthony belted yet another opposite-field home run as well. He also drew two walks and scored twice. Allan Castro added a home run and three RBI, while Eddinson Paulino drove in a pair of runs as well.
Luis Perales started for the Drive and struggled, surrendering six runs (five earned) over 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and three walks. Aaron Perry was solid in relief, allowing a run in 2 1/2 frames with two strikeouts and no walks. Felix Cedpeda was credited with his second save of the year, allowing no hits and no runs over the final inning and a third.
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Salem walked it off after entering the bottom of the 10th down by two. Cutter Coffey tied it up with an RBI single before Alexis Hernandez singled home the game-winner. Hernandez also hit his seventh double of the year. Yorberto Mejicano knocked in three runs with a two-run double and a sacrifice fly. Luis Ravelo singled, walked twice, and scored two runs. Gabriel Jackson started for Salem and surrendered one run over four innings. He only allowed two hits, struck out three, and did not walk a batter. Railin Perez did not allow a hit or an earned run in his two innings to go along with four strikeouts.
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The Red Sox didn't score until the ninth inning when Kelvin Diaz singled home a run, but it was too late. Kristian Campbell played well, going 2 for 3 with his second double in as many games since starting his professional career. Deundre Jones also doubled. Willian Colmenares started and gave up one run over three innings of work. Stijn Van Der Schaaf did the exact same over the next three innings, adding in three strikeouts. Darlyn De La Cruz and Jogly Garcia each added a scoreless inning.
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Obed Balderas started on the mound for the Sox and pitched well, surrendering just one run in four innings. He gave up three hits, walked two, and struck out two. His ERA stands at 2.08 for the season. Ruben De La Cruz pitched the next two innings and allowed one run with two strikeouts, and Daury Pena followed him with a pair of scoreless frames and three strikeouts. Pena has a 1.23 ERA and 11 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings this year. At the dish, the Sox were very quiet with just three hits, all singles. Frederik Jimenez, Yoiber Ruiz, and Starlyn Nunez each notched a base hit.
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Franyer Noria and Gerardo Rodriguez each picked up three hits and an RBI in this one. The day pushed Rodriguez' season OPS over .900. Shortstop Franklin Arias also had a big day, going 2 for 3 with a pair of walks, a double, and three runs scored. Albert Chalas also tripled home a run and drew two walks. Wuilliams Rodriguez opened up the game with a scoreless frame before Denison Sanchez and Andres Jimenez came on and pitched well. Sanchez allowed two runs in three innings, but he struck out four and only walked one. Jimenez tossed a couple of scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Deybi Salcedo threw the final two innings and did not allow a hit with four strikeouts and no walks.
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Player of the Day: In his first game for the Drive, Kyle Teel gets the honor. The new No. 5 prospect in the system picked up three hits, two RBI, and threw out a would-be-base-stealer. After going 3 for 7 with a home run in two games with the FCL Sox, Teel was bumped right up to the Drive and continued to stay hot.
Photo Credit: Wikelman Gonzalez by Kelly O'Connor