July 20, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: DSL no-hitter; Mayer goes 3 for 3
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Lehigh Valley scored first, but Worcester took a commanding lead with a five-run third, then left no doubt with a seven-run ninth that included home runs by both Nick Sogard and Enmanuel Valdez. Six hitters had multiple base knocks as the team combined for 16. Chase Meidroth, who also homered, Bobby Dalbec and Nick Yorke each ripped a trio of hits, while Eddy Alvarez, Sogard and Valdez each had a pair. Grant Gambrell allowed just the first-inning run, scattering three hits and two walks over five innings of work. He struck out four. Lucas Luetge and Chase Shugart combined for three innings of shutout ball before the ninth, when Lehigh Valley grabbed a pair well after the result was decided.
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Marcelo Mayer was a perfect 3 for 3, including a two-run home run in the first, setting the tone for a win to start the proverbial second half of the season. The Sea Dogs scored three in the first and added two more in the third to get out to a 5-1 lead early. The team hit for the cycle, as Tyler McDonough added a double as part of a multi-hit night and Roman Anthony tripled. Blaze Jordan also had two hits. Both Reading runs came on Isaac Coffey's watch, but just one was earned over his five innings of work. He allowed four hits and two walks to go along with a quartet of strikeouts. He was followed by Robert Kwiatkowski and Brendan Cellucci, each of whom provided a pair of scoreless frames.
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Bowling Green Hot Rods (TB) at Greenville Drive, PPD (Weather)
Rain in Greenville will push the teams' first games out of the All-Star Break to a doubleheader on Saturday.
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Fredericksburg opened up a 3-0 lead over the first half of the ballgame, but Salem was able to tie the game before surrendering the lead in the eighth. The Red Sox tied the contest in the bottom of the ninth and got the winning run on base, but it went to extras. Marvin Alcantara was able to score the winning run in the 10th to cap off a two-hit day. Antonio Anderson, who joined him in the multi-hit club, had half of his team's knocks, including a triple. On the mound, it was a true staff day, as four arms contributed at least six outs and no one got more than nine. However, only Nathanael Cruz, who threw two clean frames, didn't allow a run.
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The Red Sox trailed going into the fifth in this crosstown battle but scored two runs each in the fifth and seventh to secure a win. They had just six hits, led by two from Starlyn Nunez, but worked six more free passes and were 3 for 9 with runners in scoring position. Raimundo De Los Santos also swiped four bases. Adam Bates pitched 3 1/3 innings in his start, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out two and walked three. Denis Reguillo closed the contest with a clean seventh, including a pair of punchouts. The Red Sox now hold a one-game lead in the FCL South Division with just one week remaining in the regular season.
Standings:
Red Sox: 33-22
Pirates: 32-23 (1.0 GB)
Rays: 32-23 (1.0 GB)
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This one was suspended with two outs in the top of the fifth and no runners on base due to lightning. The Red Sox had recorded merely a trio of singles on offense but also had reached on three errors, which led to two unearned runs. Jesus Travieso faced one over the minimum over his two inning start, striking out a pair. All three Pirates runs were charged to Juan Medina, who was able to get four outs.
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Yodrian Beltre and Jeison Payano combined to throw a seven-inning no-hitter on Friday, blanking the Reds. Beltre faced the minimum over the first four innings, striking out seven in the process. Payano walked two of the first three hitters he faced but preserved the shutout and retired the final eight in order with two strikeouts. The Red Sox didn't have much offensively either, as Enddy Azocar had the only extra-base hit and was 2 for 3, but they were able to push across one in the second and three in the third.
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Player of the Day: He's likely not long for Portland, but he's still making his mark. Marcelo Mayer came out of the All-Star break with a perfect 3 for 3 performance, including a two-run homer in the first inning to help set the tone for Portland. The No. 2 prospect in the system is up over .300 on the year and has put together a strong season after injuries had slowed him down in 2022 and 2023.
Photo Credit: Marcelo Mayer by Kelly O'Connor