May 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Cespedes, Nunez power Salem romp
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A 1-for-13 effort with runners in scoring position doomed the WooSox to a walk-off loss in Allentown. That hit provided all of the Worcester scoring, as Nathan Hickey blasted a sixth-inning grand slam, his fourth homer of the season. Marcelo Mayer had the only multiple-hit evening in the lineup, going 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. Corey Rosier singled, walked twice, and stole three bases, and Roman Anthony added a single. Starter Brian Van Belle surrendered two runs on three hits in four innings. Wyatt Mills took the loss in relief as his ninth-inning throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt allowed the winning IronPig to score.
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Portland Sea Dogs vs. Chesapeake BaySox (BAL), postponed
For the second time in the series and the seventh time this season, rain got in the Sea Dogs' way. They'll try for a doubleheader on Saturday.
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John Holobetz was supported by six extra-base hits as he turned in a solid effort in his system debut. Holobetz, acquired as the player to be named later in the deal that sent Quinn Priester to Milwaukee, gave up four runs (one earned) in five innings, striking out four without issuing a walk. Dalton Rogers allowed one run in 1 2/3 of relief, while Matt McShane struck out four of the eight batters he faced in 2 1/3 scoreless frames. Hudson White led the offense with his first professional home run, a two-run shot in the eighth inning. The 2024 ninth-round pick finished 3 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Antonio Anderson was 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI in his first multi-hit effort since his promotion from Salem. Zach Ehrhard and Marvin Alcantara both had a double as part of their two-hit evenings.
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Salem jumped out to an early 5-0 lead and did not look back. Starlyn Nunez blasted a two-run homer in the first, followed by a Yoeilin Cespedes solo shot in the second. It was a 3-for-5 effort with a pair of runs scored out of the leadoff spot for Cespedes, while Nunez added a single to finish with three driven in. Andruw Musett doubled as part of a three-hit evening, while Freili Encarnacion tacked on an insurance run with his organization-leading seventh homer.
Austin Ehrlicher was excellent in a three-inning start, scattering a pair of hits, striking out five, and walking one. Fayetteville reached Joe Vogatsky for their only two runs, while Manuel Medina and Michael Sansone went a combined 3 1/3 scoreless to seal the win.
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The FCL Sox continued their winless streak, dropping to 0-5 to start the season after being held to just two hits. Enddy Azocar, the early bright spot for the squad, picked up a base hit and is now 9 for 17 (.529) in the very early going. D'Angelo Ortiz had the other hit for the Sox. Yhoiker Fajardo took the loss in his first Red Sox appearance despite allowing just one unearned run in 2 2/3 innings. Fajardo was acquired from the White Sox in exchange for Cam Booser.
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Player of the Day: With several players off to hot starts, Yoeilin Cespedes has been lost in the shuffle somewhat. After failing to leave the yard in his first 19 games of the year, the 18-year-old infielder has now gone deep in both of his last two starts. Since the calendar flipped to May, Cespedes is 9 for 24 with four extra-base hits. He is currently the 15th-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system.
Photo Credit: Yoeilin Cespedes by Kelly O'Connor