May 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Arias, Bleis deliver as Greenville drops slugfest
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Cooper Criswell turned in another strong outing to lead the WooSox. The veteran righty allowed one run in six innings on an Akil Baddoo solo homer. He struck out eight while walking one as his WooSox ERA rose a touch to 1.06. Wyatt Mills allowed a run in 1 2/3 innings of relief before turning over to Nick Burdi, who struck out three of the five batters he faced to pick up the save. Corey Rosier delivered a solo homer in the fourth as part of a 2-for-3 effort. He scored twice, drove in two, and stole a base. Marcelo Mayer returned to the lineup after being scratched from Thursday's game with a back issue. He was 0 for 3 with a walk. Roman Anthony was 1 for 3, driving in a run on a sacrifice fly as part of Worcester's four-run second inning.
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Blake Wehunt delivered a solid effort on an otherwise tough night for the Sea Dogs. The 2023 ninth-round pick gave up one run on two hits in 4 2/3, striking out four and walking two. The New Hampshire lineup made him work, as he needed 87 pitches to get through those 4 1/3. Blaze Jordan capped a 2-for-4 night with a two-run homer in the ninth, his first of the season. Jhostynxon Garcia singled to extend his hitting streak to six games, while Luis Ravelo and Tyler Miller picked up a double apiece.
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It was a wild finish to the slugfest at Fluor Field as the two teams combined for eight runs in the 10th inning. After going 0 for 11 in his first three South Atlantic League contests, Franklin Arias broke out with a huge night. He ripped a line drive that went through the fence for an RBI ground-rule double in the fourth inning, then delivered a three-run homer in the eighth that brought the Drive within one. He finished 3 for 5, drawing a walk and stealing a base. Miguel Bleis also had a three-hit effort, driving in five runs. Nelly Taylor scored three times, going 1 for 4 with two walks, a double, and a steal. Nazzan Zanetello had a pair of singles and drew two walks.
On the mound, starter Noah Dean allowed four runs on three hits in three innings, striking out six, walking two, and hitting a batter. Asheville reached reliever Danny Kirwin for five runs in three frames, but Zach Fogell slowed the onslaught, giving up just one run in his three innings of work. Short on arms, the Drive needed to turn to outfielder Albert Feliz for the tenth. He took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) while walking three batters.
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This one also went into extra innings as Salem staged a thrilling comeback. Down 2-1 in the bottom of the ninth, Freili Encarnacion tied the game with a solo homer, his fourth round-tripper of the season. Natanael Yuten then won the game on the first pitch of the 10th, driving in automatic runner Yosander Asencio. Antonio Anderson had a base hit and is 12 for 29 during his 7-game hitting streak. Austin Ehrlicher got the start, allowing one run on one hit in three innings, striking out one and walking a pair. Adam Bates was outstanding in relief, scattering two hits across five scoreless innings, striking out seven without issuing a walk. Michael Sansone went the final two innings, giving up one run on two hits and getting credit for the win.
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The Florida Complex League gets underway on Saturday as Boston's affiliate hosts the FCL Twins in Fort Myers. Top prospects on the roster include first baseman/outfielder Justin Gonzales, right-handed pitcher Dalvinson Reyes, and two-way player Conrad Cason, who Boston picked in the eighth round of the 2024 draft.
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Player of the Day: While his team didn't emerge with the win, it was a huge night for Franklin Arias. Earning a quick promotion after a .346/.407/.397 start in 19 games with Salem, Arias picked up his first three High-A hits in Friday's slugfest, including his first home run of the year at any level. The 19-year-old got the start at second base after getting the call at shortstop in his first three Drive appearances. Arias is currently ranked fifth in the system.
Photo Credit: Franklin Arias by Kelly O'Connor