May 23, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Romero nearly hits for cycle; Lugo and Teel combine for 7 RBIs
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Nick Sogard stayed hot at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a walk and his second home run in as many days. Bobby Dalbec also went deep for the sixth time this season and added an RBI single. Niko Kavadas was responsible for Worcester's only other run, as he knocked in Nathan Hickey with an RBI single of his own. Naoyuki Uwasawa went three innings in his start, allowing four earned runs on four hits, three walks, and three strikeouts. Isaiah Campbell struck out three of the four batters he faced in the first appearance of his rehab assignment. Justin Hagenman followed with three more scoreless frames of relief before Jorge Benitez surrendered the game-winning home run in the top of the ninth.
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Six members of Portland's starting lineup enjoyed multi-hit games in this one. Kyle Teel led the way by going 2 for 4 with a double, four RBIs, three runs scored, and one walk. Batting right behind him, Matthew Lugo went 2 for 5 with three RBIs. Mickey Gasper went 2 for 4 with one RBI, two runs scored, and one walk while Phillip Sikes doubled in a run as part of a 2 for 5 night. Tyler McDonough stroked two singles and scored two runs out of the nine-hole while leadoff man Roman Anthony went 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs scored. Marcelo Mayer had just one hit but crossed home plate twice.
On the mound, it was another struggle for Wikelman Gonzalez, who gave up five earned runs on eight hits (including a solo homer), one walk, and two strikeouts over four innings to inflate his ERA on the season to 6.51. Out of the bullpen, Alex Hoppe allowed three more unearned runs in the top of the fifth. Jacob Webb, who was credited with the winning decision, and Felix Cepeda, who notched the save, combined for three scoreless frames of relief to close it out.
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It was another high-scoring affair in Greensboro on Wednesday. Mikey Romero paced the Greenville lineup by going 3 for 6 with a double, a three-run homer (his first of the season), and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Cutter Coffey also crushed a two-run blast and scored two runs in his first game since April 30. Allan Castro added a two-run homer of his own while drawing three walks. Miguel Ugueto, meanwhile, stayed red hot to start this series by going 4 for 6 with a double, two RBIs, two runs scored, and one stolen base.
Dalton Rogers went 4 1/3 innings in his start, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits (including two homers), two walks, and five strikeouts. Gabriel Jackson then gave up five earned runs of his own in 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Jeremy Wu-Yelland worked a scoreless eighth inning in his season debut and was credited with a hold. Isaac Stebens blew the save in the ninth but bounced back with a 1-2-3 10th inning to record the first win of his professional career.
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Trennor O'Donnell took the loss in his second start for Salem, yielding four runs (three earned) on five hits, one walk, and one strikeout over three-plus innings. Noah Dean and Francis Hernandez combined for five scoreless frames of relief. Nelly Taylor enjoyed a strong night at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs. Natanael Yuten and Andy Lugo added doubles of their own. Nazzan Zanetello, in his first game since May 3, went 0 for 3 with two walks and one run scored.
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Player of the Day: Mikey Romero nearly hit for the cycle on Wednesday, so this one goes to him. The 20-year-old infielder has gone 6 for 18 (.333) with one double, one triple, five RBIs, four runs scored, one walk, and six strikeouts in his first four games for Greenville after opening the season on the injured list and rehabbing in the FCL. He is currently ranked as the No. 24 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Mikey Romero by Kelly O'Connor