September 5, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Priester fans 8 over 6 scoreless innings; Romero homers again
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Quinn Priester turned in his best start since joining Worcester earlier this summer. The righty scattered four hits and zero walks with eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings. He finished with 69 pitches (47 strikes) and induced 14 swings-and-misses en route to securing the winning decision. In relief of Priester, Yohan Ramirez and Bailey Horn preserved the shutout by combining for three additional scoreless frames out of the bullpen.
Roman Anthony led the way offensively by going 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs, one run scored, one walk, and one stolen base out of the leadoff spot. Bobby Dalbec also doubled and stole a base as part of a 2 for 4 showing in which he scored two runs. Kyle Teel singled in two runs while Mark Contreras drew two walks, scored twice, and stole his 25th base of the season. Dalton Guthrie drove in one run and scored another after taking over for the rehabbing Trevor Story (0 for 4) in the eighth inning.
With their third straight win, the WooSox improved to 33-25 in the second half and moved to within four games of the Columbus Clippers (37-21) for first place in the International League.
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Wikelman Gonzalez took the loss in Game 1 of Wednesday's twin bill. The righty allowed four earned runs on five hits, two walks, and five strikeouts over four innings. He served up a two-run home run to the penultimate batter he faced in the bottom of the fourth. Zach Bryant gave up two more runs on three hits and two walks in the latter half of the sixth. Mikey Romero provided the only offense by homering for the fourth time in seven games with Portland to lead off the top of the seventh.
Robert Kwiatkowski got the starting nod in Game 2 and tossed four scoreless innings. The righty allowed just three of the 14 hitters he faced to reach base while mixing in four strikeouts. Brendan Cellucci took over in the fifth and was charged with the loss after yielding three runs (one earned) on two hits, two walks, one hit batsman, and two strikeouts over two innings. At the plate, Allan Castro went 1 for 3 with a fourth-inning RBI single to drive in Alex Binelas.
By getting swept in Wednesday's doubleheader, the Sea Dogs dropped to 36-23 in the second half. They now trail the Somerset Patriots (36-22) by a half-game for first place in the Eastern League Northeast.
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After being eliminated from postseason contention on Tuesday, Greenville was once again shut out by Winston-Salem on Wednesday. Tyler Uberstine took the loss in his short start, as he allowed the game's only run on two hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over 1 1/3 innings. Hayden Mullins and Jeremy Wu-Yelland fared well out of the bullpen, as the pair of lefties combined for six strikeouts and just one walk over 7 2/3 scoreless, four-hit frames of relief. Nelly Taylor and Hudson White were bright spots on the opposite side of the ball. Taylor went 1 for 3 with a walk and stolen base while White went 2 for 4.
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In his first game in nearly two weeks, Albert Feliz paced the Salem lineup by going 2 for 3 with a clutch double, three RBIs, and one run scored out of the nine-hole. Nazzan Zanetello also enjoyed a multi-hit performance, as he went 2 for 4 with his second triple of the season, one run scored, and one walk. Brooks Brannon went 1 for 3 with one double, two runs scored, one walk, and one stolen base. Antonio Anderson, Andruw Musett, and Natanael Yuten also drove in runs.
Luis Cohen got the start on the mound and went 4 1/3 innings. The righty yielded three earned runs on five hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. In relief of Cohen, Luis Talavera surrendered two additional runs on four hits (including a solo homer) over 2 1/3 innings before making way for Nathanael Cruz. Cruz allowed the then-tying run to score in the eighth but bounced back with a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his sixth win of the year.
With their third straight win, the Red Sox improved to 35-27 in the second half. They still trail the Fredericksburg Nationals (37-24) by 2 1/2 games for first place in the Carolina League North with only four games remaining on their regular season schedule.
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Player of the Day: Quinn Priester gets the nod for getting his September off to an encouraging start. Acquired from the Pirates for Nick Yorke in late July, the soon-to-be 24-year-old right-hander struggled in five August starts for Worcester, posting an 8.10 ERA and 4.89 FIP with 18 strikeouts to seven walks over 20 innings. Though he has already graduated from his prospect status, Priester is still viewed as one of the more intriguing young arms in the organization.
Photo Credit: Quinn Priester by Kelly O'Connor