August 7, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Coffey strikes out 11, Jordan drives in four
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Mickey Gasper had another big night, posting his fourth three-hit game as a member of the WooSox. He doubled and scored two runs. Bobby Dalbec went 2 for 4 with a two-run shot, his 15th of the year. Enmanuel Valdez also went deep for the ninth time. Triston Casas was 1 for 4 with a walk and the third double of his rehab assignment. Jamie Westbrook had a clutch two-run single in the eighth inning to break a 4-4 tie, but the lead didn't end up holding. Jason Alexander started and allowed four runs in five innings, surrendering a home run to old friend Pablo Reyes. He punched out two and walked three. Joely Rodriguez tossed a shutout inning, while Chase Shugart took the loss by allowing three runs out of the bullpen.
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Isaac Coffey absolutely dominated on the mound, throwing five shutout innings with a season-high 11 strikeouts. He did not issue a free pass either on the way to his ninth win of the season. Jonathan Brand followed him with a couple of shutout innings of his own. Theo Denlinger and Wikelman Gonzalez finished it off, each with a scoreless inning. It was Gonzalez' fourth relief appearance of the year out of his 18 outings. Blaze Jordan knocked in four of Portland's seven runs, going 2 for 5 with a pair of two-run doubles. He now has 17 doubles and 48 RBI this year. Alex Binelas went deep for the fifth time, a two-run blast in the fifth inning. Roman Anthony had a productive night as well, going 2 for 5 with two singles, two runs scored, and his 16th stolen base. Kristian Campbell also singled, walked twice, stole a bag, and scored twice.
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Elmer Rodriguez pitched a solid four innings to start this one, allowing just two runs, one of which was unearned. He struck out four and walked two. Cooper Adams struggled following Rodriguez, surrendering seven runs in two innings. Nathan Landry tossed two very good innings, as he did not allow a run with four strikeouts and just one walk. Justin Riemer reached base four times in five trips, as he singled twice, walked, and got hit by a pitch. Allan Castro was 2 for 5 with two singles and a pair of RBI. Ronald Rosario also walked twice and had a run-scoring single. Fourth-round draft pick Zach Ehrhard made his professional debut, getting the start as designated hitter and batting six. He was 0 for 5 on the night.
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Andruw Musett made a great first impression in Salem, roping a walk-off single in the 10th inning as part of his 2-for-5 evening. The 18-year old catcher made his Single-A debut after posting a .753 OPS in 46 games for the FCL Red Sox this year. Nelly Taylor went off, going 4 for 5 with his 22nd double of the season and his 27th stolen base of the season. It was his first career four-hit game. Juan Valera was terrific, firing four no-hit innings. The 18-year old struck out five and walked just two. Royman Blanco and Max Carlson were great in relief as well, as each tossed two shutout frames. Carlson struck out three and did not issue a free pass.
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Chad Delancey led the Sox offense with two hits in this one, both singles, to push his average over .300 on the season. Jhoan Peguero had a nice game, going 1 for 3 with a single and a sacrifice fly. Anderson Fermin reached twice as well with a single and a walk. Jeison Payano started and went the first three innings, surrendering two runs with three strikeouts and one walk. Greider Colina continued his great season with three shutout innings out of the bullpen, including two strikeouts. He now owns a 1.90 ERA in 23 2/3 frames this year.
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In a makeup game from August 1st, the Sox got a win by scoring four runs in the top of the eighth to break a 3-3 tie. Enddy Azocar had the key hit in the eighth, a go-ahead RBI single as part of his 1-for-3 day. Justin Barry was perfect in two trips to the plate, going 2 for 2 with a double and two runs knocked in. Edwin Brito, Rafi Montesino, and Christopher Alvarado each singled twice, and Carlos Carrasquel added a three-bagger. Merlin Bido turned in a nice outing, lasting five innings and allowing three runs (one earned) with four strikeouts and just one free pass. Juan Henriquez was great in relief and was credited with his fourth win of the year. He gave up just one unearned run on three hits.
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Facing a one-run deficit entering the eighth inning, the Sox got four runs to take the lead. It started with Justin Gonzales tying the game with an RBI double, then Yoiber Ruiz singled home a pair. Gonzales also had two singles, finishing the day 3 for 4. Givian Sirvania did his job out of the leadoff spot, reaching three times with a double and two walks. He also swiped his 18th base of the season. Abis Prado gave up two runs in two innings to begin the game, but Gibel Galvan followed him with two hitless innings. Luis Cabrera picked up the win, tossing the final five innings. He gave up just one run on three hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
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Player of the Day: Isaac Coffey tied his career-high with 11 strikeouts, which he did three times last season with Greenville. The right-hander has started August off great after a month of July that saw him go 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 27 innings.
Photo Credit: Isaac Coffey by Kelly O'Connor