June 21, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Castro delivers inside-the-park homer; Coffey goes deep again
-----
A clean, well-pitched contest for the first eight innings descended into chaos as the two teams combined for eight runs in the ninth inning and the WooSox rally fell short. Jason Alexander allowed two runs on three hits in five frames, striking out two while walking one. Bailey Horn surrendered one run in two innings, getting saddled with the loss, before Luis Guerrero turned in a scoreless eighth inning. After allowing just four runs in 18 appearances across two levels this season, Columbus reached the usually-reliable Ryan Zeferjahn for four critical insurance runs in the top of the ninth.
Worcester rallied for four in the ninth but could not complete a stunning comeback. Nick Sogard keyed the rally with a two-run double, part of a 2-for-4 night for the shortstop. Chase Meidroth reached base four times, going 2 for 3 with two walks. He raised his on-base percentage to .452 on the year, and he sports a .310/.538/.476 slash line in June. Wilyer Abreu made his third rehab appearance, batting third and acting as the designated hitter. He was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
-----
Portland Sea Dogs vs. Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF), postponed
The good news for Richmond is that they managed to avoid allowing yet another extra-base hit to the Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kyle Teel triumvirate. The bad news is the trio will get extra chances on Friday. Thursday was rained out, so they'll try for a doubleheader.
-----
Cutter Coffey wasted little time putting an end to his two-game homeless drought with a two-run blast in the top of the first. During his nine-game hitting streak, the 2022 second-round pick is 16 for 36 with eight homers and 20 RBI. Allan Castro turned in a big night, highlighted by racing home for an inside-the-park homer in the third inning. Castro was 3 for 5 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Jhostynxon Garcia drove in a pair of runs as part of a 2-for-5 effort, with Miguel Ugueto and Juan Chacon contributing two hits apiece. Yordanny Monegro got the start, allowing one unearned run on two hits in four innings, striking out four and walking two. The win went to Gabriel Jackson, who gave up two runs on three hits in three innings. Reidis Sena preserved the win with a scoreless ninth.
-----
A trio of Salem arms combined for a two-hit shutout. Jojo Ingrassia continues to excel, as the 21-year-old lefty allowed just a second-inning single and an unearned run in his four innings of work. He struck out six, walked two, and threw 43 of his 68 pitches for strikes. Connor Steinbaugh went three hitless frames, striking out two and walking one on his way to the winning decision. CJ Weins allowed one hit in two scoreless to get credit for the saves. Andy Lugo doubled, swiped a base, and scored two runs as part of his two-hit night. Freili Encarnacion also chipped in with two hits and a steal.
-----
The FCL Sox were blanked on an afternoon where neither team could generate much offense. Juan Valera was saddled with the tough-luck loss, giving up just one run on three hits in four innings. Andruw Musset picked up a pair of hits to push his batting average back up over the .300 mark. Armando Sierra also had two singles on the day. Yoeilin Cespedes saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end as he went 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
-----
Moises Bolivar led the way for the Blue squad, going 3 for 5 with a double and three RBI. Justin Gonzales blasted his second home run of the season, while Tavano Baker had a triple, single, two runs scored, and an RBI out of the leadoff spot. Starter Jose Golindano allowed one run in two innings, striking out and walking three apiece. Gilbel Galvan got the win in relief, scattering three hits across three scoreless, striking out a pair. Galvan is unscored upon in 8 2/3 innings across five appearances.
-----
Knotted at 1-1 at the end of nine innings, the Royals plated the automatic runner in each of the three extra frames to snap Team Red's six-game winning streak. Efren Teran picked up two of the six Sox hits along with a walk. Madinson Frias went three innings, allowing one run on four hits. Yoandys Veraza was leaned on for five innings of relief work, giving up just one unearned run, striking out two and walking one.
-----
Player of the Day: It's been an uneven year for outfielder Allan Castro. The 21-year-old outfielder has shown a willingness to take a walk, ranking third in the organization with 44 free passes, but he had scuffled to a .215 average entering Thursday's play. Three hits, including a thrilling inside-the-park homer, boosted that average by nine points and nudged his OPS over the .700 mark. Castro is currently the 12th-ranked prospect in the system.
Photo Credit: Allan Castro by Kelly O'Connor