May 17, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Sogard walks off Worcester in two-homer night; O'Donnell perfect for Salem
-----
Nick Sogard was at the center of the Polar Park offensive explosion that included 14 hits, seven walks, and four home runs. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Sogard blasted a walk-off homer. It was the second round-tripper of the night for the 26-year old, who also had a two-run shot in the fourth. Overall, Sogard finished 4 for 6 with four RBI and four runs scored. Bobby Dalbec delivered a three-run blast in the first inning, while Pablo Reyes tagged old friend Oddanier Mosquedo with a three-run shot in the sixth. Chase Meidroth continues to be an on-base machine, picking up two singles and a walk.
It was a tough evening to be a pitcher. Worcester starter Vladimir Guttierez surrendered six runs (four earned) in just one-plus innings. Naoyuki Uwasawa escaped with just two runs allowed in five innings despite allowing seven hits and three walks. Bailey Horn struck out a pair in a scoreless ninth to set up the Sogard heroics, getting credit for the win in the process.
------
The Sea Dogs won for the third time in four games, highlighted by a strong Wikelman Gonzalez start. The 22-year-old righty allowed one run on just two hits in five innings of work, striking out six and walking three. However, command continued to be an issue for Gonzalez: he needed 82 pitches to get through the five frames, throwing 46 for strikes. Wyatt Olds and Jacob Webb turned in two scoreless innings of relief apiece. At the plate, Matthew Lugo blasted his eighth home run of the season, a two-run third-inning shot. Phillip Sikes contributed a three run blast of his own. Kyle Teel reached base three times with a double and a pair of walks.
-----
The Drive got off to an early 6-0 and held on for their first win of the series. Bryan Gonzalez had a two-run homer in the fourth as part of a 2-for-3 effort that included a pair of runs scored. Ahbram Liendo was a catalyst out of the leadoff spot with a triple, two walks, and two runs. Kristian Campbell extended his on-base streak to 22 games with an RBI single. Dalton Rogers got the start for Greenville, allowing two runs on three hits in 4 1/3 innings, walking and striking out three apiece. Gabriel Jackson went the rest of the way to get credit for the win, giving up two runs on five hits in 4 2/3.
-----
Salem fell despite getting perfection from Trennor O'Donnell (pictured, right) in his first professional start. The 6-foot-7 right-hander retired all 15 batters he faced, striking out five over five innings of work. Noah Dean followed, striking out five in two innings of relief but surrendering three runs. Francis Hernandez was charged with the loss, allowing a pair of runs in the eighth. Miguel Bleis and Natanael Yuten both went deep for Salem, delivering solo shots in the sixth and ninth innings, respectively. Marvin Alcantara has quietly gotten hot, extending his hitting streak to nine games with a 2-for-4 effort.
-----
In what was intended as a seven-inning contest, the FCL Sox and Pirates needed the full nine to decide a winner. Kleyver Salazar got the Sox off to a quick start with a three-run homer in the first inning. Yoeilin Cespedes picked up a pair of hits in the loss, including a double. Juan Valera held the Pirates scoreless for his first three innings but was reached for a pair of runs in the fourth. He finished with three strikeouts, one walk, and five hit batsmen in his 3 2/3 innings. Yonfi Rodriguez took the tough-luck loss as the automatic runner came in to score in both the eighth and ninth inning, the only runs allowed by the 21-year-old.
------
Players of the Day: In a break with our usual custom, two players are recognized for their Thursday performances. The ever-reliable Nick Sogard had a career day at the plate with two home runs as part of his four-hit night. Sogard was acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay before the 2021 season. Meanwhile, Trennor O'Donnell could not have been better in his first pro start, firing five perfect innings. The 2023 eighth-round draft pick had previously appeared out of the Salem bullpen, allowing five runs (two earned) in 13 1/3 innings across five appearances. In his previous outing, O'Donnell went four hitless, giving him the equivalent of a full no-hitter over two appearances.
Photo Credit: Nick Sogard and Trennor O'Donnell by Kelly O'Connor