May 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Salem mounts late comeback, Ehrhard continues to star
Cup of Coffee 5/18: It was a tough Saturday across Boston's affiliates, managing a single win across five games. In Salem, it took a late-inning rally to snap a long losing streak thanks to Yoeilin Cespedes, Zach Ehrhard (pictured) reached base three times in Greenville, and the duo of Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony had strong outings in Worcester.
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In a back-and-forth game, Worcester fought back from 3-1 and 4-3 deficits to eventually take a 5-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth before a go-ahead home run off of Isaiah Campbell put the WooSox behind for good. Tyler Uberstine got the start and tossed five innings of three-run ball with four walks and five strikeouts. Zach Kelly and Jose Adames succeeded Uberstine in relief before Campbell, who was tagged for the loss.
After starting yesterday's contest at second base, Marcelo Mayer returned to shortstop and went 2 for 5 with a stolen base and game-tying single in the eighth inning to knot the score at 4-4, while Roman Anthony added a pair of hits as well with a walk.
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It was a tough showing for Portland pitching, which surrendered double-digit hits and runs while walking five hitters in the loss. David Sandlin earned a no-decision in his seventh start of the year, throwing 4 2/3 innings and accounting for four earned runs with two walks and three strikeouts. Gabriel Jackson took the loss as he followed Sandlin and allowed four runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. On the hitting side, Portland got home runs from Tyler Miller and Jhostynxon Garcia, while Luis Ravelo added three hits in the defeat.
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Similar to the WooSox, Greenville rallied a pair of times and took a one-run lead into the eighth inning before allowing the tying tally in the eighth and and a go-ahead score in the ninth to drop their second straight game. Payton Tolle started for Greenville and ran into trouble early in his start. Despite striking out six, the left-hander allowed four runs including a pair of home runs across his four innings while throwing 51 of his 76 pitches for strikes to bring his season ERA to 4.56. Cooper Adams was tagged with the loss as he pitched the final two innings allowing two runs.
Offensively, Franklin Arias and Antonio Anderson recorded two-hit games with Anderson hitting his first home run since earning a promotion to High-A. Zach Ehrhard continued his strong week by reaching base three times and raising his OPS to .934.
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Thanks to a three-run eighth inning, Salem managed to snap a six-game losing streak. Trailing 2-1 entering the frame, Yoeilin Cespedes evened the score on a single to plate Yosander Asencio, who walked to lead off the inning. With runners on second and third and two outs, a pair of wild pitches scored two more runs to give Salem the lead along with some breathing room. In the win, Freili Encarnacion slugged his eighth home run of the season to give Salem its first run of the evening.
On the mound, Shea Sprauge picked up the win in a stellar relief appearance. Boston's 13th-round pick from last year's draft threw the final 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits with a single walk and four strikeouts.
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Looking for a third straight win, the Red Sox surrendered five runs in the fifth inning to lead to the defeat. Yoelvin Chirino started for the Red Sox and pitched well with six strikeouts and a single hit in 2 2/3 innings, bouncing back well after allowing six runs in his prior start. Yoandys Veraza was charged with the loss, allowing five runs with three walks in an inning of work. Enddy Azocar reached base in all three at bats with a pair of singles, a double and an RBI in the loss.
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Player of the Day: Even in a losing effort, Zach Ehrhard continues to showcase the talent that the Red Sox saw enough to draft him twice. In Greenville's loss to Hub City, Ehrhard went 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored. He has been one of the most difficult hitters to get out in May, slashing .429/.473/.612. He is currently the 43rd-ranked prospect in the system.
Photo Credit: Zach Ehrhard by Kelly O'Connor