June 17, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Anthony, Jordan, Teel all homer for Portland; Martin, Mata rehab
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A 10-run fourth inning propelled Worcester to a second straight win over Buffalo. The rehabbing Romy Gonzalez led the way offensively, going 4 for 6 with two doubles, three RBIs, one run scored, and one stolen base. Nick Yorke went 3 for 6 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Eddy Alvarez, Niko Kavadas, and Mickey Gasper all had two hits. Alvarez and Kavadas combined for five RBIs while Gasper clubbed a two-run shot for his first homer with the WooSox.
Grant Gambrell got the start on the mound and surrendered five earned runs on six hits (including one home run), one walk, and four strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings. Brian Van Belle notched the win out of the bullpen after fanning four and scattering three hits across 2 1/3 innings of one-run ball. Chris Martin (also rehabbing), Bailey Horn, and Luis Guerrero combined for three scoreless frames of relief to close things out.
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Three members of Portland's lineup had three hits as Kyle Teel, Kristian Campbell, and Blaze Jordan all went 3 for 5. Teel and Jordan both went deep for their seventh and fourth home runs of the season, respectively. Campbell doubled, drove in a pair, scored three runs, and stole one base. Marcelo Mayer went 2 for 5 with a run while Roman Anthony blasted a two-run homer after missing the last three games with right elbow soreness.
Bryan Mata resumed his rehab assignment and got the start for Portland. The right-hander faced the minimum over two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two while initiating a pair of double plays. Isaac Coffey took over for Mata and struck out four more over three scoreless, no-hit frames en route to picking up the win. Wyatt Olds also put up zeroes in the seventh and eighth innings.
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Jhostynxon Garcia enjoyed another productive day at the plate, going 3 for 5 with two doubles, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Ronald Rosario also doubled twice while driving in three runs as part of a 2 for 4 afternoon. Allan Castro, Juan Chacon, and Bryan Gonzalez all went 2 for 5. Castro doubled and scored two runs, Gonzalez homered for the 12th time this season, and Chacon doubled, drove in one run, and stole one base. Cutter Coffey will have to wait until Tuesday to extend his six-game homer streak, as he had the afternoon off.
Dalton Rogers went three innings in his start for Greenville, allowing two earned runs on four hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. He finished with 72 pitches (43 strikes) and elicited 12 swings-and-misses. Reidis Sena was charged with the blown save and loss after surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk across two innings of relief. Adam Smith retired the only two batters he faced to mark his third consecutive scoreless appearance.
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Ovis Portes took the loss in his second start of the season for Salem, yielding two runs (one earned) on four hits, one walk, and four strikeouts over three innings. Trennor O'Donnell fanned four more across four scoreless frames while CJ Weins struck out the side in a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth. At the plate, Brooks Brannon (2 for 4) and Stanley Tucker (1 for 3) accounted for all three of Salem's hits. They each stole a base as well.
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Player of the Day: Blaze Jordan gets the nod here after putting together another multi-hit performance for Portland on Sunday. Since returning from the 7-day injured list on Wednesday, the 21-year-old corner infielder has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with one double, two home runs, eight RBIs, two runs scored, one stolen base, one walk, and two strikeouts over his last five games. He is currently ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Blaze Jordan by Kelly O'Connor