August 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: DSL Blue drops Game 1 of semifinals
8/26 Cup of Coffee: The Dominican Summer League semifinals continued on Monday. While DSL Padres Gold punched its ticket to the finals with a 5-3 win over DSL Pirates Gold, DSL Red Sox Blue fell in Game 1 of its best-of-three series against DSL Athletics.
-----
The Blue squad blew a late one-run lead and fell to the Athletics in Game 1 of the best-of-three DSL semifinals. Angelo Ladera got the start, scattering two hits and three walks while striking out five over 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Yomar De La Rosa and Alexander Heredia combined for 3 1/3 additional shutout frames of relief before the trio of Wascar Berroa, Ranci Castillo, and Luis Cabrera surrendered nine runs in a tumultuous bottom of the eighth. Offensively, Josue Brito accounted for his side's only run by plating Dorian Soto (who had doubled) on an RBI single in the top of the eighth. Louis Andujar collected two hits and drew one walk.
With Monday's loss, the Blue squad will now be tasked with winning two straight over the Athletics to advance to the DSL finals.
-----
Player of the Day: Angelo Ladera gets the nod for impressing in his first appearance of the playoffs. The 18-year-old righty put together a solid regular season with the Red squad before being transferred to the Blue squad last week, posting a 2.20 ERA with 36 strikeouts to 15 walks in 12 outings (three starts) spanning 32 2/3 innings in which opponents batted .164 against him. A native Venezuelan, Ladera signed with Boston for $10,000 as an international free agent in late February.