May 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Thompson homers in return, Gonzales and Cason make season debut
Cup of Coffee 5/4: While there was plenty of action across the Boston affiliates on Saturday, there wasn't much success as the organization went winless while having a pair or games postponed due to rain on the east coast. In Worcester, Trayce Thompson homered in his first game back after missing time and Justin Gonzales and Conrad Cason (pictured) made their anticipated season debuts in the Complex League.
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In a game that was split up by a nearly two-hour rain delay, Worcester took an early lead in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a two-run home run by Trayce Thompson, who was playing his first game since the middle of April. The swing by Thompson would be the only two runs Worcester would be able to muster as the pitching staff surrendered the lead in the fourth inning and could never recover. Outside of Thompson's big fly, Worcester scattered a handful of singles across the game.
Brian Van Belle took the loss for the Red Sox as the right-hander was responsible for six hits, four runs and three home runs in 3 2/3 innings. Jose De Leon and Brendan Cellucci followed Van Belle and each were charged for an earned run.
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New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR) 1, Portland Sea Dogs 0 (7 innings, Game 1)
In a fast-moving game, a single run in the bottom of the fourth inning ended up being the differentiator in the first game of the twinbill. Tyler Uberstine pitched well in his fifth start of the season, allowing the lone run of the contest across 5 1/3 innings with four hits and six strikeouts. Offensively Portland was held quiet with just three singles, coming off the bats of Ahbram Liendo, Blaze Jordan, and Karson Simas.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats (TOR) vs. Portland Sea Dogs (Game Two) PPD
As the two teams tried to complete a doubleheader on Saturday after a rainout in mid-April rescheduled the game, another stormy evening in the Northeast forced the two teams to play a pair of games on Sunday afternoon, with the first game beginning at 12:05 p.m.
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It was another game across the Boston minor leagues in which offense was at a premium for the home side. Greenville scraped across only three hits in the contest from Nazzan Zanetello, Zach Ehrhard, and Andy Lugo, none of which went for extra bases. On the mound, Dalton Rogers turned in a strong showing on the mound amid the defeat. The left-hander tossed five innings allowing a pair of unearned runs while striking out nine to lower his ERA on the season to 0.95 across 19 innings. Jeremy Wu-Yelland and Isaac Stebens succeeded Rogers for the final four innings.
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Fredericksburg Nationals (WSH) vs. Salem Red Sox PPD
Saturday's matchup between Fredericksburg and Salem was postponed due to inclement weather. The game is rescheduled to June 18. The teams will conclude their series Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
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On Opening Day for the Complex League, the Red Sox surrendered all four runs in the top of the sixth inning to fall for the first time this season. Despite the loss, a pair of top-25 prospects made their season debuts. Justin Gonzales, who created headlines with eye-popping exit velocities during the spring, went hitless in four at bats while adding an RBI groundout. D'Angelo Ortiz also made his pro debut in a 1-for-3 effort.
On the mound, Conrad Cason earned the start and dazzled across two innings. The organization's eighth-round pick last year struck out five of the seven batters he faced and allowed a single baserunner on a walk. Abis Prado was tagged with the loss in relief, struggling with command resulting in four walks and four runs on a single hit.
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Player of the Day: In his pro debut on Saturday, Conrad Cason showed what could be a partial glimpse at the skillset he can provide. The 2024 draft pick and potential two-way player, Cason hurled two scorless innings while striking out five in the Complex League. He is currently ranked the 23rd prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Conrad Cason by Kelly O'Connor