August 12, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Big Three promoted to Worcester; Campbell homers in third straight game
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This game was suspended due to rain in the top of the fifth inning. It will be made up at some point when the WooSox host the Mets at Polar Park from September 10-15. Bobby Dalbec had provided the only offense for Worcester, going 1 for 2 with a two-run home run. Jason Alexander, meanwhile, had allowed four earned runs on six hits, zero walks, and four strikeouts over four innings.
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Even without Marcelo Mayer, the top-third of Portland's lineup produced on Sunday. Roman Anthony went 2 for 4 with his 20th double and 15th home run of the season to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Kristian Campbell also went 2 for 4 while homering for the third time in as many contests. Kyle Teel led the way by going 3 for 5 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Phillip Sikes went 1 for 4 with one double, one RBI, two runs scored, and one walk. Tyler Miller went 1 for 2 with one double, three RBIs, and two walks. Luis Ravelo ripped a two-run single for his only hit of the day.
Wikelman Gonzalez got the start for the Sea Dogs. The righty went three innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, zero walks, one hit batsman, and two strikeouts. He gave up a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the third and finished with 41 pitches (29 strikes). Jacob Webb took over and was tagged for four runs in the fourth. Christopher Troye then struck out two over two scoreless frames before making way for Zach Bryant, who yielded two runs on three hits in the eighth but put up a zero in the ninth to pick up the win.
Improving to 25-12 in the second half on Sunday, Portland now leads first-half-winning Hartford Yard Goats (23-15) by 2 1/2 games for first place in the Eastern League Northeast.
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Dalton Rogers took the loss in his start for Greenville, surrendering three runs (two earned) on seven hits, three walks, and one strikeout over three-plus innings. Cooper Adams gave up a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth while Zach Fogell and Reidis Sena combined for 2 1/3 scoreless frames of relief. At the plate, the Drive were held to just three hits as a team. Justin Riemer went 1 for 4, Hudson White went 1 for 3, and Bryan Gonzalez went 1 for 1 with a walk.
With the loss, the Drive dropped to 24-18 in the second half. They currently trail the Bowling Green Hot Rods (26-14) by three games for first place in the South Atlantic League South.
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On Franklin Arias poster giveaway day in Salem, the 18-year-old infielder paced the Red Sox lineup by going 2 for 4 with a two-run single out of the leadoff spot. Freili Encarnacion and Marvin Alcantara each went 1 for 3 with one run scored. Matt Duffy turned in a solid start on the mound, scattering three hits and zero walks with seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings. He threw 59 pitches (40 strikes) and elicited seven swings-and-misses. Luis Talavera, Francis Hernandez, and Nathanael Cruz combined for four innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen.
With the win, the Red Sox improved to 24-18 in the second half and moved to within two games of the Fredericksburg Nationals (26-16) for first place in the Carolina League North.
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Player of the Day: Roman Anthony enjoyed another productive afternoon at the plate in what may go down as his final game with Portland on Sunday. In 84 games for the Sea Dogs this season, the 20-year-old outfielder batted .269/.367/.489 with 20 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, 45 RBIs, 60 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 48 walks, and 96 strikeouts over 376 plate appearances. He will now take his talents to Worcester alongside Mayer and Teel, meaning the trio of top prospects are just one more call away from reaching the majors.
Photo Credit: Roman Anthony by Kelly O'Connor