September 22, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: McDonough, Kavadas lead offense, quintet combines for two-hitter
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Worcester was able to play spoiler on Thursday night, helping to cut Durham's (TB) magic number to one in the International League playoff hunt. Niko Kavadas kicked off the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. Tyler McDonough (pictured) went 2 for 3 with a triple and a run scored. The utility man got the start at second base and is 3 for 5 since joining Worcester at the close of the Double-A season. A quintet of pitchers split up the work on the two-hit victory. Chase Shugart got the spot start, going 2 1/3 hitless innings, striking out two and walking three. Justin Hagenman got credit for the win, following Shugart with 2 2/3 frames of shutout ball. Ryan Fernandez surrendered the IronPigs' only score. Joe Jacques walked one and struck out two in a pair of hitless frames, and AJ Politi also did not allow a hit in the ninth on his way to his 15th save of the year.
Lehigh Valley had entered the series two games behind first-place Durham with six to play. The IronPigs took the first two games of the series (officially eliminating Worcester in the process) but wasn't able to make up any ground. Worcester's victory, combined with another win by the Bulls, has the IronPigs on the brink of elimination.
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Player of the Day: Always a reliable contributor on the bases and with his glove, Tyler McDonough played a key role at the plate as well on Thursday. He was the only player on either squad to collect multiple hits in just his second Triple-A effort. After a slow start to the year, McDonough hit a strong .296/.363/.447 from June 19 onward, and he's reached base safely in each of his 11 games since the start of September.
Photo Credit: Tyler McDonough by Kelly O'Connor