June 16, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Coffey homers in sixth straight game; Sandlin returns
-----
Niko Kavadas drove in all four runs for the WooSox in a win over the Bisons. Kavadas tied things up with a two-run double in the sixth, and then he put them ahead with a two-run double in the eighth. Nick Yorke scored on both hits, as he went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. Chase Meidroth continued to showcase his excellent plate discipline with three more walks. Richard Fitts needed 55 pitches to work through two innings, striking out five but allowing two runs on two hits and three walks. Chase Shugart was electric out of the bullpen, striking out seven over three innings of one-hit ball. Ryan Zeferjahn picked up his second save with a scoreless ninth.
-----
The Sea Dogs had plenty of opportunities to score with six hits and nine walks, but they left 13 men on base. Kyle Teel was on base four times, going 2 for 3 with two walks and an RBI. Marcelo Mayer went 1 for 4 with a walk and a double, while Kristian Campbell went 1 for 5, striking out three times. It marked his first multi-strikeout game since his promotion. Jacob Webb was the opener, allowing two runs over two innings. He struck out three and did not issue a walk. Wikelman Gonzalez followed in his first relief appearance since April 21. He struck out five over two innings without walking a batter. Brendan Cellucci also tossed two innings but gave up two runs and took the loss.
-----
One of the most impressive streaks for a Red Sox prospect in recent memory continued on Saturday. Cutter Coffey homered in his sixth straight game; his seventh long ball in that same stretch. He now has 11 home runs, which puts him one behind the league leader. He entered play on June 9 with a .591 OPS, and in just six games, it has shot up to .820. He finished the day 1 for 5 with three RBIs. Jhostynxon Garcia and Miguel Ugueto also went deep. Eduardo Lopez went 3 for 4 with a double, and Mikey Romero went 2 for 5 with a double in a balanced offensive attack.
Just activated off the injured list, David Sandlin allowed a two-run home run in his 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two, and reports had his fastball touching 99 mph. Jedixson Paez had a rare double-digit strikeout relief appearance, striking out 10 over 5 1/3. He did not walk a batter but did give up two runs. The 10 strikeouts are a career-high, and he has 22 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings in June. Cade Feeney got the final out in relief of Nathan Landry to earn his second save.
-----
After a rough start to the year, Noah Dean has gotten back on track. Another strong start has pushed his ERA under 4.00. He allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings, striking out five with no walks. Over his last six starts, he has an ERA of 1.90 with 29 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. The win went to Max Carlson with 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, and Francis Hernandez shut the door in the ninth for his first save. A solo home run from Antonio Anderson broke a 1-1 tie in the eighth. The only Salem batter to reach base multiple times was Daniel McElveny, who went 1 for 3 with a walk.
-----
FCL Red Sox @ FCL Twins, PPD (rain)
The FCL game got postponed for the fourth time this week due to rain. Saturday's game is scheduled to be made up on June 21.
-----
The two DSL squads squared off, with the Red team coming out on top. They were led by Jeison Payano, who allowed just one hit over four scoreless frames. He is up to seven scoreless innings to start his professional career. Anderson Fermin had the team's lone extra-base hit as he went 1 for 4 with an RBI triple, and Christopher Alvarado went 2 for 2 with a walk and two steals. For the Blue team, Yodrian Beltre gave up six runs over the first two innings. Tavano Baker went 2 for 4 with a stolen base, and Moises Bolivar went 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.
-----
Player of the Day: There were several options on Saturday, with a handful of good performances, but the nod will go to Jedixson Paez and his career-high 10 strikeouts. Paez improved to 2-0, operating in a bulk relief role, winning his second straight Saturday Player of the Day award. The 20-year-old has struck out 22 without walking a batter in 14 1/3 innings since being promoted to Greenville.
Photo Credit: Jedixson Paez by Kelly O'Connor