September 1, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Penrod keeps rolling for Drive; Feliz homers twice in loss
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The WooSox drew a tough matchup to close out August, with rehabbing righty John Means combining with a quartet of relievers on a three-hit shutout. The only hit Means allowed in his five innings was an infield single in the first to Bobby Dalbec. Dalbec added another single to account for two-thirds of the Worcester knocks. Christian Arroyo added the other single. Grant Gambrell matched zeroes with Means through the first four innings before Norfolk reached him for a two-run homer in the fifth. Overall, Gambrell allowed two runs on five hits in five frames, walking one while striking out nine.
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Corey Rosier was the standout on an otherwise tough night at Hadlock. Rosier was 2 for 3 with a walk and a triple, stealing his 47th base of the season. Nick Yorke added a double and a stolen base, with Alex Binelas and Matthew Lugo swiping bags as well. Angel Bastardo took the loss in his second Double-A start, allowing four runs on five hits, striking out two, and walking three. Christopher Troye allowed one run in two innings of relief, striking out three against one walk, while Alex Hoppe struck out four of the six batters he faced in two perfect frames.
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The only victory of the day came in a pitchers' duel in the opener of the twin bill in Greenville. The two squads combined for a total of just four hits in the contest. Zack Penrod was outstanding, scattering two hits in six shutout frames, striking out eight and walking two. The recent signee out of the independent league is unscored upon in 17 innings across three starts for Greenville. Brock Bell struck out a pair in a hitless seventh to get credit for the save. The only run of the contest came from the first batter of the bottom of the first inning, as Roman Anthony led off with a home run. Greenville's only other hit was a third-inning single by Karson Simas.
The bats woke up in time for the nightcap, as the Drive managed more hits in the first inning than they did in all of the opener. Allan Castro led the way, going 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBI, and a run scored. Anthony followed up on the homer in the first game by going 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. Eddinson Paulino also doubled, going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Dalton Rogers took the loss, surrendering five runs on five hits in four innings.
Despite the split putting Greenville mathematically out of striking distance of Hickory (TEX) for the second-half title, the Drive will make the postseason by virtue of their first-half division win.
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A trio of Augusta pitchers, led by Atlanta second-round pick Cade Kuehler, no-hit Salem in the opener of Thursday's doubleheader. Overshadowed by the opposing arms was a strong start by Elvis Soto, his best since his promotion from the FCL. Soto gave up one unearned run on two hits in four innings, striking out two and walking two. Zach Fogell, Boston's 18th-round pick, made his Salem debut in relief, giving up one hit in two scoreless innings and striking out three without issuing a walk. Fogell graduated from Cumberland (RI) High School and pitched for Brown and UConn in college. Despite the team being held hitless, Albertson Asigen did not record an out, walking in both of his plate appearances and stealing a base.
Salem suffered the sweep despite the efforts of Albert Feliz. The first baseman delivered a pair of solo home runs, one in the second inning that gave the Sox a 3-0 lead, and another in the seventh as they tried to rally. Lyonell James was 2 for 4 with two RBI, and Johnfrank Salazar also had a pair of hits. Salazar has now reached base safely in 12 straight games.
Matt Duffy made his first start for Salem. He pitched through a bases-loaded jam in the first but could not escape in the second, allowing five runs on four hits total in 1 1/3. Franklin German also made his Saelm debut, pitching a scoreless third as he tries to get back on track in his return to the Red Sox organization. Luis De La Rosa was excellent in relief, striking out six and giving up just two hits in three scoreless innings.
The losses officially eliminated Salem from the playoff picture.
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Player of the Day: Zack Penrod had been bouncing around the independent Pioneer Leagues since his last appearance in professional baseball with the Rangers organization in 2018. Boston signed the left-hander away from the Missoula Paddleheads early in August, and he has been dominant. With Thursday's six-inning effort, Penrod has now gone 17 scoreless innings with the Drive, giving up just nine hits and striking out 17. SoxProspects.com Director of Scouting Ian Cundall was in attendance for the doubleheader and came away impressed, clocking Penrod's fastball at 94 to 96, complemented by a five-pitch mix.
Photo Credit: Albert Feliz by Kelly O'Connor