April 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Mayer homers again; Tolle and Bleis carry Greenville
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The WooSox had eight starters notch at least one hit, but they came up one run short. Marcelo Mayer drove in two runs with a double, and Connor Wong went 2 for 4 with an RBI in his first rehab appearance. He has been on the injured list since April 8 with a left pinky fracture. Alex Binelas went 1 for 3 with a double, and Nick Sogard went 2 for 3 with a walk. Austin Adams got the start and allowed two runs in two innings, while Bryan Mata was tagged for four runs over the next two frames. Gabriel Jackson helped save the bullpen by recording the final nine outs without giving up a run. Shane Drohan was scheduled to start this game, but he was scratched with a neck injury.
The wind picked up in the afternoon, and the Mets took advantage with four home runs in seven innings. It was a forgettable start for Zack Kelly as he gave up eight runs while recording only one out. Jonathan Brand followed and gave up four runs of his own without retiring a batter. The WooSox were down by 12 runs with only one out in the top of the first. Brian Van Belle got things back on track with 2 2/3 scoreless innings, and centerfielder Phillip Sikes allowed two runs in the top of the seventh.
Six Worcester batters had multi-hit games, led once again by Mayer, who went 2 for 3 and drove in four runs with a double, a home run, and a walk. He finished the week hitting .450/.480/1.050 in 25 plate appearances. Nate Eaton also drove in four runs as he went 4 for 5 with two doubles. Nathan Hickey went 3 for 5 with two RBI and scored two runs.
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Reading Fightin' Phils (PHI) @ Portland Sea Dogs, PPD (rain)
The weather did not cooperate for a second straight day in Portland. After winning the first four games of the series, the Sea Dogs will need to wait until the week of May 18 to make up the final two games. Portland is also making up two games in their next series as the Sea Dogs travel to New Hampshire for eight games in six days.
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The Drive's pitching staff was dominant, as Payton Tolle and Dalton Rogers combined to strike out 16. Tolle tallied nine strikeouts in four shutout innings. He walked one, and the only hit he gave up was an infield single. A solo home run in the seventh was the only blemish for Rogers, as he earned the win with five stellar frames. He walked two and struck out seven. All the offense they needed came from Miguel Bleis, who went 2 for 4 with two home runs, a walk, and four RBI. Andy Lugo was on base four times as he went 2 for 3 with a double and two walks. Catcher Brooks Brannon did leave the game with an injury, but there is no word yet on the severity.
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There was another offensive outburst on Sunday, with the Red Sox coming out on top in this one. Antonio Anderson was one of three players to go deep as he went 3 for 5 with a walk, double, home run, and three RBI. Yosander Asencio went 2 for 5 with a walk, double, and home run, Frederik Jimenez went 1 for 4 with a walk and his first home run of the year, and Starlyn Nunez went 2 for 5 with a walk, triple, and five RBI out of the leadoff spot. Trennor O'Donnell could put things in cruise control with all the run support, and he picked up the win with seven strikeouts in five shutout innings. Matt McShane continued his dominant start with two more scoreless frames to lower his ERA to 0.63.
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Player of the Day: It is not often a player hits two home runs and does not win this award, but Miguel Bleis is going to finish a hair behind teammate Payton Tolle. The 22-year-old left-hander struck out nine of the 15 batters he faced, and got 12 swinging strikes in 64 pitches. After a tough first start, Tolle has rebounded to strike out 14 and allow one run over his last eight innings.
Photo Credit: Payton Tolle by Kelly O'Connor