July 25, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Anderson stays hot, Arias crushes first Low-A homer for Salem
7/25 Cup of Coffee: Boston's affiliates went 3-2 on Wednesday. Bobby Dalbec aided Worcester in salvaging a doubleheader split against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Wikelman Gonzalez struck out five over four one-run innings in Portland's loss to Somerset. Greenville's game was suspended in the eighth inning due to rain. In Salem, Antonio Anderson stayed hot while Franklin Arias (pictured) clubbed his first Low-A home run. There were also some late-game heroics in the Dominican Summer League.
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Justin Hagenman took the loss in his start for Worcester, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, one walk, and four strikeouts over four innings. Wyatt Olds struggled in his Triple-A debut, surrendering four additional runs on three hits (two of which were home runs), two walks, and one strikeout in 2/3 of an inning. Joely Rodriguez retired all four batters he faced. Offensively, Chase Meidroth accounted for his side's only run by going 1 for 2 with an RBI double. Matthew Lugo also doubled and scored that one run as part of a 1 for 3 showing.
Tyler Heineman and Bobby Dalbec both homered in this one to help the WooSox end a four-game losing streak. Heineman went 2 for 3 with his fifth home run of the season and three RBIs. Dalbec went 1 for 3 with a tie-breaking three-run blast in the top of the seventh inning. Mickey Gasper also drove in a run while Enmanuel Valdez recorded two hits and Mark Contreras stole his 20th base of the year. Chase Shugart got the start on the mound and went 4 1/3 innings, yielding three runs (two earned) on six hits, no walks, and one strikeout. Trey Wingenter and Lucas Luetge combined for six punchouts over 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen.
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Wikelman Gonzalez was solid in his start for Portland, allowing only one earned run on two hits, one walk, and five strikeouts over four innings. He threw 59 pitches (38 strikes) and induced 12 whiffs. Christopher Troye struck out two and worked his way around three walks across 2 1/3 scoreless frames of relief. At the plate, Roman Anthony went 2 for 5 with one double, one run scored, one walk, and one stolen base. Kristian Campbell drove in one run, scored another, drew two walks, and swiped one bag.
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This game was suspended in the bottom of the eighth inning due to rain and will be completed before Thursday's regularly scheduled contest. Dalton Rogers was effective in his start for Greenville, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits, one walk, and five strikeouts over five innings. Gabriel Jackson served up a pair of solo shots in 2 2/3 innings of relief. On the flip side, several Drive hitters are in the middle of productive nights at the plate. Mikey Romero is 2 for 5 with two doubles and one run scored, Ronald Rosario is 2 for 4 with a two-run single and one run scored, and Allan Castro is 2 for 3 with one double, two RBIs, one run scored, and one walk. Miguel Ugueto also doubled in a run.
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Franklin Arias led the way offensively, going 2 for 4 with his first double and home run at the Low-A level, four RBIs, and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Antonio Anderson went 2 for 4 with one double and two RBIs. Nelly Taylor tripled while Fraymi De Leon reached base three times and scored three runs. Stanley Tucker drove in a run as well. On the mound, Matt Duffy impressed in his start, allowing only one hit and two walks with three strikeouts over five scoreless innings. Royman Blanco tossed three additional shutout frames out of the bullpen.
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The Blue squad was held to just two hits on Wednesday, but both were productive. Vladimir Asencio went 1 for 3 with a two-run double that opened the scoring in the bottom of the second. Moises Bolivar played hero by going 1 for 3 with a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the 11th. On the mound, starter Tejahari Wilson struck out three and walked only two over four scoreless, no-hit innings. Luis Cabrera followed by allowing two runs (one earned) across five innings. Enrique Carta tossed two more shutout frames to notch the winning decision.
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Player of the Day: Franklin Arias gets the nod for his standout performance in Salem. The 18-year-old infielder has gone 3 for 7 (.429) with five RBIs and three runs scored in his first two games with the Red Sox after being promoted from the Florida Complex League on Tuesday. He is currently ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the organization, up 11 spots from the start of the season.
Photo Credit: Franklin Arias by Kelly O'Connor