August 15, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Campbell homers, Dobbins goes six scoreless for Portland; Romero returns
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Richard Fitts put forth another solid start for Worcester, allowing just one earned run on five hits (including a solo home run) and one walk with five strikeouts over five innings. Greg Weissert and Brian Van Belle combined for four scoreless frames of relief to secure the win. At the plate, Mark Contreras and Bobby Dalbec both recorded RBI singles for their only hits of the night. Contreras also stole his 23rd base of the season. Vaughn Grissom and Eddy Alvarez both went 1 for 3. Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel both went hitless, though the latter did draw a six-pitch walk to lead off the bottom of the second inning.
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Hunter Dobbins impressed, scattering two hits, one walk, and one hit batsman while striking out three over six scoreless innings. He finished with 85 pitches (55 strikes) and induced 12 swings-and-misses. In relief of Dobbins, Alex Hoppe and Zach Bryant combined to allow four runs (two earned) across four innings. Robert Kwiatkowski then retired all three batters he faced in the 11th to notch the save.
Kristian Campbell provided the biggest hit of the night for the Sea Dogs by going 1 for 4 with a walk and a go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning. Jhostynxon Garcia and Nathan Hickey both went 2 for 4, with the former scoring on the latter's ninth-inning RBI double. Elih Marrero also doubled, drove in a run, and drew a walk as part of a 1 for 3 performance. Alex Binelas tripled in what would prove to be the winning run in the 11th for his only hit of the contest while Allan Castro picked up his first hit at the Double-A level.
With the win, their fifth straight, the Sea Dogs improved to 28-12 in the second half. They currently hold a five-game lead over first-half winner Hartford (23-17) for first place in the Eastern League Northeast.
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Yordanny Monegro was sharp yet again for Greenville, allowing only two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over five scoreless innings. The righty threw 76 pitches (49 strikes) and elicited 14 whiffs. He has not allowed an earned run since July 2. In relief of Monegro, Isaac Stebens and Reidis Sena combined for eight punchouts over four more scoreless frames to preserve the shutout.
After being sidelined by a concussion for the last week, Mikey Romero returned to action on Wednesday and went 2 for 4 with a two-run double, two walks, and one run scored. Will Turner also drew two walks and singled in a run as part of a 1 for 3 performance. Hudson White collected the first RBI of his professional career when he drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning. Andy Lugo and Fraymi De Leon (who scored twice) both recorded doubles.
With the win, the Drive improved to 25-19 in the second half. They currently trail Bowling Green (28-14) by four games for first place in the South Atlantic League South.
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Conor Steinbaugh went three innings in his start for Salem, yielding two runs (one earned) on four hits, one walk, and a career-high six strikeouts. Royman Blanco took the loss after surrendering one unearned run in the bottom of the sixth. Francis Hernandez also gave up an unearned run in the eighth inning. Franklin Arias led the way offensively by going 2 for 4 with one double, one walk, and one run scored. Nazzan Zanetello doubled in two runs for his only hit of the night. Natanael Yuten went 2 for 4 with an RBI single.
With the loss, their second straight to start the week, the Red Sox dropped to 24-20 in the second half. They now trail Fredericksburg (28-16) by four games for first place in the Carolina League North.
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Player of the Day: Hunter Dobbins gets the nod for going six scoreless on the road. The soon-to-be 25-year-old righty lowered his ERA on the season to 3.36 over 20 starts (99 innings) for Portland. He is currently regarded as the No. 20 prospect in Boston's farm system, which ranks sixth among pitchers in the organization.
Photo Credit: Hunter Dobbins by Kelly O'Connor