May 12, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Sandlin scratched with forearm tightness; Kavadas homers again
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Niko Kavadas launched his fourth home run in his last six games to lead the WooSox past the Bisons. Kavadas's ninth home run came as part of a 3-for-4 day that raised his OPS to 1.180. Mark Contreras went 2 for 4 with his first home run, and Nick Sogard went 1 for 3 with a walk. The start went to Bailey Horn, who did not allow a run over the first two innings. Richard Fitts worked as a piggyback starter, going the next 4 1/3 innings while surrendering one run. He walked three and struck out two as he improved to 3-1. Ryan Zeferjahn finished the game with two more scoreless innings to keep his ERA at 0.00. He did not give up a hit while striking out three.
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The game got off to a scary start after Blaze Jordan was injured on a play at the plate. Jordan had walked and was attempting to score from first on a Nick Yorke double. While Jordan left under his own power, he was carted to the clubhouse between innings. Alex Binelas stepped into first-base duties and went 2 for 4 with a three-run home run. Roman Anthony went 2 for 5 with two doubles and an RBI, and Tyler Heineman went 1 for 3 with an RBI as he started a rehab stint. Starter Isaac Coffey worked around five walks to hold the Rumble Ponies to one run over the first four innings. Binghamton did damage against the bullpen, including putting up five runs on Jonathan Brand in the seventh.
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David Sandlin was scheduled to start but was scratched before the game with forearm tightness. Juan Daniel Encarnacion started on short notice and was fantastic. He tossed five hitless innings while walking one and striking out six. The Crawdads took the lead off Adam Smith with three runs in the sixth, and the Drive were not able to come back. Kristian Campbell notched another extra-base hit as he went 1 for 3 with a double and a walk. Bryan Gonzalez went 1 for 4 with a triple, Miguel Ugueto went 2 for 4, and Ahbram Liendo went 1 for 2 with two walks.
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Salem could not capitalize on several scoring opportunities as they fell to Columbia. Blake Wehunt continued to impress, striking out 10 in only four innings. He allowed two runs, one earned, and walked two. Conor Steinbaugh took the loss after allowing one run in 2 1/3 innings. The offense was led by Andy Lugo who went 2 for 3 with two doubles and a walk. Natanael Yuten went 1 for 4 with a double, and Stanley Tucker went 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
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The Twins scored early and often as they doubled up the Red Sox in just seven innings. Stijn Van Der Schaaf made his season debut and allowed one run in his lone inning. Of the next four pitchers, Yonfi Rodriguez was the only one who did not allow multiple runs, as he also allowed one run in one inning. Mikey Romero stayed hot on his rehab assignment, as he went 2 for 4 to raise his average to .455. Karim Ayubi launched a two-run home run, and Kelvin Diaz went 2 for 3 with a double and two steals. Diaz is now hitting .417/.529/.500 with five steals in five games in the FCL.
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Player of the Day: Juan Daniel Encarnacion did not allow a hit over his five innings. He allowed one walk, hit a batter, and struck out six. This came with very little preparation, as he found out just before the game that he would be the starter after David Sandlin was scratched. Now in his third stint in Greenville, Encarnacion lowered his ERA to 3.27. He is up to 31 strikeouts on the season in only 22 innings.
Photo Credit: Juan Daniel Encarnacion by Kelly O'Connor