May 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Mayer, Hickey hit three-run homers in WooSox comeback
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The WooSox pulled off an incredible comeback in their series opener against the Bisons. Down 7-1 entering the eighth inning, Worcester brought the game within reach on back-to-back homers, including a three-run blast off the bat of Nathan Hickey and a solo shot by Trayce Thompson. The WooSox completed their comeback in the ninth, taking the lead on a three-run homer by Marcelo Mayer and tacking on an insurance run with an RBI single for Nathan Hickey. Mayer and Hickey were the offensive stars for Worcester, as they each went 2 for 4 with a home run and a walk. Thompson and Alex Binelas were both 2 for 5 with a solo home run.
A pair of Wyatts received top billing in a bullpen game for the WooSox. Wyatt Mills started the game and lasted three innings, allowing one run on three hits and a walk. Wyatt Olds followed him with three innings out of the bullpen, striking out five but allowing three runs on four hits. Jose Adames picked up his third win of the season but he struggled against Buffalo, allowing three runs in two innings. Nick Burdi struck out the side, allowing just a walk as he earned the save with a scoreless bottom of the ninth.
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Portland Sea Dogs @ Somerset Patriots (NYY) (postponed)
The Sea Dogs continue to pile up the rainouts, as Tuesday night's contest against Somerset marked the ninth time this season that one of Portland's games has been postponed or canceled. The Sea Dogs and Patriots will aim to play a doubleheader on Thursday, with the first game starting at 4 p.m. ET.
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Drive starter Eduardo Rivera was in top form on Tuesday night, throwing five no-hit innings against Hub City. Rivera walked two hitters and struck out six in a dominant performance, lowering his ERA to 1.06 through 17 innings with Greenville this season. Darvin Garcia continued the no-hit bid for two more innings out of the bullpen but he did allow two runs to score after loading the bases on two walks and an error. Adam Smith picked up the save, allowing one run in two innings while fanning two batters.
The Greenville bats got off to a quick start, scoring a run on a first-inning single by Yophery Rodriguez. Rodriguez and Nazzan Zanetello both came around to score on an error by Spartanburgers pitcher Leandro Lopez, spotting the Drive with a three-run lead in the first. The Drive added an insurance run on an RBI single by Franklin Arias in the fifth inning. Rodriguez was the only Greenville batter to record multiple hits, going 2 for 3 with a walk.
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Salem starting pitcher Blake Aita struck out six batters but was unable to limit the damage against Charleston, allowing four runs on four hits. Aita, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 draft out of Kennesaw State, now holds a 3.31 ERA through 35 1/3 innings this season. Out of the bullpen, Nicholas Judice threw a scoreless 1/3 inning and Joe Vogatsky allowed a run in two innings. The Salem bats were unable to get anything going on Tuesday night in a shutout loss. The Red Sox collected only three hits on the night, singles coming off the bats of Starlyn Nunez, Natanael Yuten, and Yosander Asencio.
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The FCL Red Sox continued their rough start, dropping their seventh consecutive game to begin the season. Starting pitcher Jesus Traviesco struggled with his control, walking four batters and allowing three runs in two innings pitched. Yermain Ruiz followed him with two shutout innings, striking out two batters and allowing two hits. However, the Pirates put the game away in the later innings, scoring two runs in the fifth off Juan Henriquez and four runs in the sixth against Tejahari Wilson. The Red Sox scored two runs on balks by Pirates pitcher Ronaldys Jimenez in the fourth inning and two more in the sixth inning on an RBI single by D'Angelo Ortiz and an RBI double by Edwin Brito. Ortiz was the standout performer in the Red Sox lineup, going 3 for 4 and boosting his slash line to .353/.400/.412 in his first professional season.
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Player of the Day: Nathan Hickey and Marcelo Mayer turned in near-identifical performances for the WooSox, with both players going 2 for 4 with pivotal three-run homers in Worcester's comeback win. However, Hickey's single in the ninth inning gave him his fourth RBI of the game to push him over the edge to win Player of the Day. Hickey, who was drafted as a catcher in the fifth round in 2021, has spent most of his time at first base this season and is now slashing .239/.287/.416 in 31 games this season.
Photo Credit: Nathan Hickey by Kelly O'Connor