July 29, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Romero shines again for Greenville; Sandlin makes Portland debut
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Brad Keller enjoyed a strong start for Worcester, scattering five hits and one walk with three strikeouts over six scoreless innings. Wyatt Olds and Ryan Zeferjahn combined to give up five runs out of the bullpen but were credited with the winning decision and save, respectively. Chase Meidroth led the way offensively by going 4 for 5 with one run scored. Mickey Gasper and Bobby Dalbec both homered, as the former went 1 for 3 with a solo shot and the latter went 2 for 4 with a two-run blast. Vaughn Grissom went 2 for 5 with one RBI. Nick Yorke and Niko Kavadas doubled for their only hits of the day while Mark Contreras drove in one run and stole his 21st base of the year.
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David Sandlin went four innings in his Double-A debut, allowing one earned run on two hits, zero walks, and three strikeouts. He retired eight of the final nine batters he faced after giving up a second-inning home run to Tyler Hardman. Jacob Webb, Christopher Troye, and Brendan Cellucci followed by combining for five one-run frames of relief. At the plate, three members of Portland's lineup enjoyed multi-hit performances. Phillip Sikes went 2 for 3 with a double, his seventh homer of the season, two runs scored, and one walk. Tyler McDonough went 2 for 4 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Marcelo Mayer also doubled for the 28th time this year as part of a 2 for 4 showing.
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Greenville's comeback attempt came up short but Mikey Romero still had an afternoon to remember, going 4 for 5 with one double, two home runs, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Allan Castro ripped a pair of doubles and scored one run as part of a 2 for 5 performance. Juan Chacon went 2 for 4 with an RBI single and a walk. Miguel Bleis drew a walk and drove in a run as well. On the mound, starter Blake Wehunt took the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) on eight hits (including two home runs), zero walks, and three strikeouts over four innings. Bryce Bonnin and Zach Fogell combined for six punchouts across four perfect innings of relief.
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Overall, it was a rough Sunday for the Salem pitching staff. Francis Hernandez, making his first start of the season, surrendered seven runs (three earned) on three hits, four walks, and zero strikeouts over two innings. Conor Steinbaugh received the first call out of the bullpen and surrendered five additional runs in four innings. Luis Talavera served as a bright spot by firing three scoreless frames. At the plate, Antonio Anderson paced the Red Sox lineup by going 4 for 5 with one RBI. Marvin Alcantara went 2 for 5 with one triple and one run scored. Nazzan Zanetello also tripled and scored two runs while Natanael Yuten stole three bases.
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Player of the Day: Mikey Romero gets the nod for the second time in as many Sundays. As was the case last week, the 20-year-old infielder finished a triple shy of the cycle while matching a season-high with 11 total bases. In seven games since returning from the All-Star break, the left-handed hitter has gone 12-for-28 (.429) with four doubles, five home runs, 10 RBIs, eight runs scored, three walks, and six strikeouts. He is currently ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Mikey Romero by Kelly O'Connor