April 14, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Multi-home run nights for Anthony, Paulino, and Gonzalez
4/14 Cup of Coffee: It was an exciting night with strong performances across the three levels. In Portland, Roman Anthony and Eddinson Paulino hit home runs in each game of the doubleheader. Connelly Early and Bryan Gonzalez were excellent, though that was not enough to will Greenville to victory. Elmer Rodriguez led a tremendous effort for the Salem pitching staff, while Jhostynxon Garcia collected three hits.
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Worcester Red Sox @ Syracuse Mets (NYM), PPD (rain)
Saturday's game was postponed, with the teams now slated to play a doubleheader on Sunday.
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The Sea Dogs launched four home runs in seven innings as they cruised to a victory in the first game of a doubleheader. Nick Yorke started the barrage with a two-run home run in the first inning, and Roman Anthony and Eddinson Paulino followed with home runs in the third inning. Nick Decker capped things off with a three-run home run in the sixth that broke the game open. Anthony finished 2 for 4 with a double, and the announcer stated his home run left the bat at 111 mph. On the mound, Helcris Olivarez struggled through his 1 2/3 innings as he walked five, and Robert Kwiatkowski picked up the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
Making his first start of the year, Hunter Dobbins allowed two runs, one earned, over four innings. He did walk five, which is uncharacteristic after showing good control during his professional career. Felix Cepeda came in with two on in the bottom of the seventh to get two outs and earn his first save of the year. Anthony and Paulino went yard again in the second game, while Marcelo Mayer went 1 for 4 with two RBI.
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Greenville's bullpen fell apart late as the Hot Rods doubled up the Drive. Connelly Early was terrific in a second straight start, firing five innings of one-run ball. He allowed only three hits, walked one, and struck out seven. He is up to 13 strikeouts and two walks in his first nine innings with the Drive. Bryan Gonzalez provided most of the offense, going 2 for 4 with two home runs and four RBI. Drew Ehrhard went 1 for 3 with a home run in his season debut, and Ahbram Liendo went 1 for 4 with a stolen base.
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Salem's pitching was dominant, striking out 14 as they shut out Delmarva. Elmer Rodriguez shook off a rough first start of the year to strike out seven and walk one over four innings. Trennor O'Donnell did not allow a baserunner over two innings in his professional debut, and Denis Reguillo finished off the shutout by striking out four over the final three innings. Jhostynxon Garcia had three of Salem's eight hits as he went 3 for 5 with a double and a stolen base. Natanael Yuten and Andy Lugo added two singles, with Lugo adding a stolen base. Miguel Bleis was held hitless, but he did turn two walks into his third and fourth steals of the season.
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Player of the Day: Roman Anthony went 3 for 7 with two home runs, a steal, and a walk across Portland's two games on Saturday. The power surge pushed his season OPS to 1.093 as the system's top prospect has gotten off to a hot start in Double-A. It is still a small sample size, but his numbers through six games this year with the Sea Dogs are similar to the .343/.477/.543 line he put up in 10 games with them last season.
Photo Credit: Roman Anthony by Kelly O'Connor