Cup of Coffee: Yuten caps big night with game-winning blast

4/12 Cup of Coffee: Three teams were in action on Thursday night, with each coming down to the final at-bat. Greenville walked off with the victory in the bottom of the ninth, while Natanael Yuten starred in Salem's extra-inning victory. Worcester suffered the system's only defeat of the night, surrendering an eighth-inning lead to fall 5-4. Portland was also scheduled to play but the Sea Dogs were washed out for the third time in six games. 

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Syracuse Mets (NYM) 5, Worcester Red Sox 4

The WooSox fell in a second consecutive one-run defeat after a back-and-forth contest in Syracuse. Richard Fitts turned in a solid start, allowing three runs on six hits in five innings, striking out five without issuing a walk. Luis Guerrero took the losing decision, surrendering a two-run homer in the eighth inning. Eddy Alvarez was the offensive standout, blasting a solo home run in the second and a double in the fourth. Bobby Dalbec also had a solo blast, his first hit of the season after starting 0 for 15 between Boston and Worcester. 

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Portland Sea Dogs vs. Reading Fightin Phils (PHI), postponed

The rain in Reading forced the postponement of Friday's game. They'll try for a Saturday doubleheader. 

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Greenville Drive 8, Bowling Green Hot Rods (TB) 7

The Drive squandered an early four-run lead but walked off with the victory. Caden Rose started the scoring with a second-inning solo homer, and he closed it with a game-winning single to left field to score Kristian Campbell. Bryan Gonzalez was a key contributor out of the ninth spot, going 2 for 4 with a home run, double, three RBI, and two runs scored. Luis Ravelo also delivered a solo home run, while Ahbram Liendo had a pair hits and two stolen bases. 

Juan Daniel Encarnacion was cruising early, striking out four of the first six batters he faced, but he was knocked out of the game after allowing four runs in the fourth. His final line saw him surrender five runs on seven hits, including two home runs, in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out six without issuing a walk. Gabriel Jackson gave up two runs in four innings of relief, and Caleb Bolden went a scoreless 1 1/3 to get credit for the victory.

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Salem Red Sox 8, Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL) 4

Natanael Yuten was the story as Salem kept the Delmarva squad winless on the year. The 19-year-old outfielder blasted a three-run homer in the 10th inning to cap off a 3-for-5 night. The Brothers Garcia were again key contributors as well. Johanfran blasted a two-run homer, his first long ball of the season, while Jhostynxon had an RBI double, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. Blake Wehunt made his first professional start, allowing two runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings. Max Carlson, a 12th-round pick in the 2023 draft, was outstanding in a piggyback role, striking out eight of the 12 batters he faced against just one walk in 3 1/3 hitless innings. The winning decision went to Jojo Ingrassia, who allowed one unearned run in two innings. He struck out five without issuing a free pass.

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Player of the Day: Natanael Yuten is off to a solid start to 2024 following his breakout campaign in the Florida Complex League last season. Yuten hit .336/.396/.483 in 38 games with the FCL Sox before struggling in his first taste of full-season ball. His 2024 line stands at .263/.364/.526 through five games. Originally signed to a $400,000 bonus in January 2022 as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic, Yuten is currently the 51st-ranked prospect in the system.

Photo Credit: Natanael Yuten by Kelly O'Connor

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