September 11, 2024 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Priester strikes out seven; Teel goes deep
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The Sox took care of business in a completion of a suspended game from August 11th. They were down 4-2 in the fifth inning when the game was paused due to rain. After resumption, Worcester grabbed two runs in the fifth to tie it, one in the seventh, and six in the ninth. Kristian Campbell, who was inserted into the game because he wasn't on the team when this game began, went 2 for 2 with a walk and a game-tying two-run single in the fifth. So, technically, that was his first hit as a member of the WooSox. Tyler McDonough finished 3 for 5 with two RBI, while Tyler Heineman and Jamie Westbrook each went 1 for 3 with two RBI. Heineman and McDonough each roped doubles as well. Before the game was paused, Bobby Dalbec belted a two-run homer.
Bryan Mata started up on the mound for Worcester in the fifth after Jason Alexander gave up four runs in four innings with four strikeouts. Mata was rehabbing, making his first appearance since July 14th. He went 2/3 of an inning with no runs or hits allowed and two strikeouts. Our own Ian Cundall was in attendance and has some notes on the outing. Brian Van Belle closed it out with 4 1/3 tremendous innings. He did not allow a run on just three hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
In the regularly scheduled game, starting pitcher Quinn Priester led the Sox to a win. The right-hander tossed four innings and allowed three runs, but only one was earned. He punched out seven, walked just one, and surrendered four hits. Cundall noted an effective changeup from Preister, inducing six whiffs with the pitch. He now has 15 strikeouts and just one walk in his last 10 innings pitched. Bailey Horn fired two innings with one run allowed, two strikeouts, and no walks. Yohan Ramirez closed it out with a clean seventh that included two strikeouts. Kyle Teel had a perfect game at the plate, going 1 for 1 with two walks and his second home run with the WooSox. Vaughn Grissom went 2 for 3 with two singles, two RBI, and two runs scored. Roman Anthony had a nice game as well with two singles and two runs scored. Tyler McDonough added a two-run single.
At 38-26 in the second half, Worcester is now just three games behind Columbus for the number one spot in the International League.
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Wikelman Gonzalez turned in a terrific outing, tossing the first five innings and giving up just one unearned run. He only allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven. Zach Bryant gave up one run in his lone inning of work, while Christopher Troye took the loss by allowing two runs over two innings. Gabriel Jackson tossed a hitless inning with no walks and two strikeouts. At the plate, Blaze Jordan and Allan Castro each went 2 for 4 with two singles and a run scored. Ahbram Liendo went 1 for 3 with an RBI and Elih Marrero roped a double.
Second-place Somerset (NYY) picked up a game with its win over New Hampshire. Portland still leads Somerset by a half-game in the Eastern League Northeast with a record of 40-24 in the second half with five left to play.
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Player of the Day: Wikelman Gonzalez reached seven strikeouts for the third time in his 19 starts this season. Gonzalez has a 4.73 ERA on the season in 83 2/3 frames, but he has been much better lately. He posted a 1.93 ERA in 14 July innings and a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings during the month of August.
Photo Credit: Wikelman Gonzalez by Kelly O'Connor