April 21, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Sea Dogs stay hot on Lugo's bat, Dobbins' arm
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The Worcester lineup managed just three hits in the opener, with a fourth-inning double by Eddy Alvarez the only one going for extra bases. Nick Sogard added a walk and run scored to his 1-for-3 effort, while Mark Contreras singled, stole a base, and drove in a run. Brian Van Belle allowed five runs in five innings, taking the loss. It was a Triple-A debut to forget for Cody Scroggins, as the righty surrendered seven runs in the sixth inning.
Rehabbing second baseman Vaughn Grissom picked up Worcester's only two hits in the nightcap as they failed to avoid the sweep. Perhaps even more important for Grissom than the pair of singles was that he started in the field for consecutive days, a key goal as he moves closer to his Boston debut. Jason Alexander took the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits in four innings. Justin Hagenman was outstanding in relief, firing three perfect innings and striking out five of the nine batters he faced.
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Matthew Lugo and the bottom half of the order carried the Portland offense as the Sea Dogs won for the eighth time in nine games. Lugo was 2 for 4 with a double, home run, two walks, and four RBIs. Phillip Sikes doubled as part of his 2-for-4 afternoon, while Mickey Gaspar had a double, walk, and pair of runs scored. Marcelo Mayer saw his hitting streak come to an end at 10 games, as the shortstop went 0 for 5.
Hunter Dobbins was economical in the victory, needing just 66 pitches to get through six innings. He allowed one run on four hits with a strikeout and a walk. Wyatt Olds turned in a scoreless seventh inning. Felix Cepeda finished off the victory with one run allowed in two innings to cap his third save of the young season.
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Greenville dropped its third straight in Delaware. Juan Chacon scored three of the four Drive runs, going 1 for 3 with a double and a walk. Allan Castro and Luis Ravelo added a single and walk apiece. Hayden Mullins took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits in 4 2/3, striking out six without issuing a walk.
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Salem ripped 10 hits but never led in Saturday's slugfest. Natanael Yuten continued his hot start to the season, going 2 for 4 with a walk, stolen base, and two runs scored, extending his hitting streak to five games. Marvin Alcantara also had a two-hit evening, his fourth multi-hit effort in five games after starting the year mired in a 3-for-34 slump. Andy Lugo drove in a pair as he went 2 for 4. Luis Cohen took the loss but turned in a solid start before the bats got hot. Cohen gave up two runs on three hits in four innings, striking out six against two walks.
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Player of the Day: Matthew Lugo continued his bounce-back campaign with a double and home run in the Portland win. The 2019 second-round pick struggled in his first exposure to Double-A last season, hitting just .242/.297/.381 in 83 games. He is already 60 percent of the way to his home run total from last year, with an outstanding 22 total bases in eight games.
Photo Credit: Matthew Lugo by Kelly O'Connor