June 7, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Yorke, Lugo join Sogard in Worcester romp
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Everyone in the Worcester starting lineup reached base at least once in Thursday's matinee, led by a season-long stalwart joined by two recently promoted newcomers. Nick Sogard blasted a fifth-inning solo homer as part of a 3-for-6 effort, scoring three runs and driving in three. Matthew Lugo and Nick Yorke also came up big in their third and second Worcester appearances. Lugo homered, doubled, and walked, scoring three runs in his first career start in right field. Yorke was 3 for 5 with a double and two runs scored. Chase Meidroth was the only Worcester batter not to record a hit, but he managed to reach base three times with two walks and an HBP, stealing a base and scoring a run.
Zach Penrod made his second start for Worcester, allowing three runs on four hits in four innings. Naoyuki Uwasawa allowed one run on four hits in three frames to get credit for the win. Luis Guerrero finished things off with two scoreless frames.
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Despite the 11:00am start time in this back-and-forth slugfest, the offenses showed no signs of sluggishness. Eddinson Paulino doubled and drove in a run as part of a three-hit night. Roman Anthony was 2 for 5 with a double and two RBI, and Kyle Teel also picked up a double. Marcelo Mayer entered the game in the eighth inning and was promptly intentionally walked, which preserves his nine-game hitting streak. It is Mayer's seventh free pass in 22 June plate appearances. Hunter Dobbins battled through six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out eight against two walks. Robert Kwiatkowski held Akron scoreless in his two innings, but the Ducks reached Jacob Webb for four runs in the ninth, handing him the loss.
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Allan Castro proved to be a bright spot in an otherwise tough evening for the Drive. Castro had two of Greenville's four hits, including a triple, walk, and run scored. Ahbram Liendo walked three times, scoring twice on the day. Connelly Early had an uneven start, allowing six runs (four earned) in four innings while striking out nine of the 21 batters he faced without issuing a walk.
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A fourth-inning grand slam off the bat of Stanley Tucker was the decisive blow for Salem. The blast was the first of the season for Tucker, who also walked and came around to score. Natanael Yuten also went deep, contributing an eighth-inning solo shot as part of a 3-for-4 night. Daniel McElveny did not record an out, picking up two singles, a walk, and a hit batsman. Miguel Bleis returned to the starting lineup, batting third and playing center field, recording a single and a walk. Elmer Rodriguez turned in the system's top pitching performance of the day, giving up just two hits in five scoreless innings, striking out two and walking two. CJ Weins added a inning of scoreless relief to finish out the win.
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The Sox were held to just four hits by a trio of Oriole hurlers in Thursday's seven-inning affair. Andruw Musett had one of the knocks, adding a walk and driving in the only FCL Sox run. Starter Juan Valera fired 3 2/3 hitless innings, walking two and striking out one. Nelson De La Cruz was charged with the loss, giving up two runs in two innings of relief.
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It was a day to forget for Team Red, held to three hits in the rout at the hands of the Giants. Jhoan Peguero, Miguel Rivera, and Chad Delancy each singled, with Delancy scoring the only Red run. Madinson Frias allowed three runs on two hits in 2 1/3, taking the loss.
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Team Blue also fell, albeit in a more competitive contest than their DSL compatriots. Justin Gonzalez blasted his first professional home run, a sixth-inning solo shot, that knotted the contest at 3-3. Moises Bolivar was 2 for 3 with a double, walk, and RBI on the day. Yohandry Gonzalez took the first turn on the mound, throwing a scoreless inning, followed by three hitless frames from Trent Wilson. Jeremy Pena (no relation to the Astros shortstop and former University of Maine star) took the loss in relief.
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Player of the Day: Not to be outdone by his new teammates, Nick Sogard continues to be a steady contributor for Worcester. His 3-for-6 effort Thursday comes on the heels of a May in which he hit .301/.442/.566, and the home run gives him eight on the season, surpassing his 2023 total. The 26-year-old utilityman is in his fourth year in the organization, having been acquired from Tampa Bay in the deal that sent Chris Mazza and Jeffrey Springs south.
Photo Credit: Nick Sogard by Kelly O'Connor