May 15, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Ehrhard's five hits power Greenville to win
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The Sox used a five-run fifth inning to take the lead for good. Marcelo Mayer had an RBI single in the frame before Trayce Thompson knocked in two runs with a double. Yasmani Grandal capped off the inning with a two-run single. Mayer ended 2 for 4 with a walk. Roman Anthony reached base four times from the top spot in the order with two singles and two walks. Nathan Hickey had a big game as well, going 2 for 4 with a two-run home run and a walk. Brian Van Belle started for Worcester and delivered a quality start, allowing three earned runs over six innings of work. He only punched out one, but did not walk anybody. Bryan Mata came on after Van Belle and surrendered one run on one hit in two frames. He walked three, but struck out four. Isaiah Campbell fired a clean inning of his own to close it out in the ninth.
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Portland Sea Dogs @ Somerset Patriots (NYY) (postponed)
The Sea Dogs are dealing with more rain, as they have been washed out for the second straight night. The two teams will make this game up on June 11.
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The Drive offense got hot early, scoring three in the first inning and another four in the second. Zach Ehrhard had a monster day, going 5 for 5 with a three-run shot in the first. The 22-year old drove in five runs and is now hitting .340 with a .914 OPS this year. Nelly Taylor went 2 for 3 with his eighth double of the year, a walk, his 11th stolen base, and three runs scored. Andy Lugo added two hits as well, while Franklin Arias roped a two-run double in the four-run second. Juan Valera started for Greenville and lasted 3 2/3 innings, surrendering two earned runs, both on solo shots. He struck out a pair and did not issue a free pass. Danny Kirwin pitched well out of the bullpen, tossing 1 1/3 shutout innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Cooper Adams also punched out five in 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) despite not giving up a hit.
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Yoeilin Cespedes was the offensive star for Salem, going 3 for 4 with a couple of doubles, an RBI, and a run scored out of the leadoff spot in the order. Freili Encarnacion stayed hot with a 2-for-4 night, while Andruw Mussett reached twice with a single and a walk. Adam Bates got the start and gave up four runs (two earned) over 4 1/3 innings. The 19-year old from Australia struck out two and walked five. Eybersson Polanco tossed 1 1/3 innings of shutout ball, and Jay Allmer did not allow a run in his 2 1/3 innings of work.
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Player of the Day: Zach Ehrhard notched the first game of his young minor league career with at least four hits, and he even added on with a fifth hit. Ehrhard was drafted twice by the Red Sox, once in 2021 in the 13th round out of high school, and a second time last year in the fourth round out of Oklahoma State. He has been on fire in May, hitting safely in 10 of 11 games during the month with a slash line of .432/.469/.591.
Photo Credit: Zach Ehrhard by Kelly O'Connor