Cup of Coffee: Arias debuts in Portland; Campbell drives in six runs

9/3 Cup of Coffee: Franklin Arias made his Double-A debut and Ronald Rosario blasted two home runs in a blowout win for the Sea Dogs. Kristian Campbell (pictured) finished a single short of the cycle and Connelly Early struck out 10 in an excellent outing but Worcester was unable to hold onto the lead and fell short in their series opener. The Drive lost a pitching duel despite four strong innings apiece by Brady Tygart and Luis Cohen. Salem had an off day after a rare Monday game to celebrate Labor Day. 

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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (NYY) 8, Worcester Red Sox 7

Kristian Campbell did his best to keep the WooSox in the game but a mammoth seventh inning for the RailRiders was too much for Worcester to overcome. Campbell finished the game just a single short of the cycle, as he went 3 for 5 with a double, a triple, a home run, and six RBI. Nick Sogard had an excellent game out of the leadoff spot in the lineup, going 3 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored. Mikey Romero hit a solo home run in a 1-for-5 game. 

Starting pitcher Connelly Early was outstanding on Tuesday night, fanning 10 batters and allowing just a run on three hits in six innings. Early's dominant performance lowered his ERA to 2.83 and he now has 36 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings with Worcester. Early left the game on track to pick up the win but Jovani Moran and Bryan Mata unraveled, allowing a combined seven runs in one inning. Wyatt Olds and Isaiah Campbell each added a scoreless inning to finish the game but the damage had been done. 

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Portland Sea Dogs 8, Erie SeaWolves (DET ) 1

Franklin Arias, the second-ranked prospect in the organization, made his Double-A debut on Tuesday night and belted a double in his first plate appearance. Arias went 1 for 5 and scored a run in his first game in Portland. Ronald Rosario was Portland's star at the plate, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning and adding a solo shot in the seventh as part of a 2-for-4 game. Designated hitter Ronaldo Hernandez was 1 for 4 and hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Marvin Alcantara was 2 for 4 with a pair of doubles. 

Dalton Rogers delivered a strong start despite struggling with his control, as he walked four batters but tossed five shutout frames. Luis Guerrero struck out two in a scoreless inning. Noah Song struck out three and walked three in two innings without allowing a run or hit. Jorge Juan allowed one run on one hit in an inning. With the win, Portland remained 1 1/2 games out of a postseason berth with approximately two weeks remaining in the season. 

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Winston-Salem Dash (CWS) 1, Greenville Drive 0

Brady Tygart had a strong rebound after struggling in his last start, as he struck out five and allowing a run on two hits in four innings. Luis Cohen followed him with four scoreless innings out of the bullpen, walking one and striking out one. However, the Greenville bats were unable to generate any offense to support their arms. Yophery Rodriguez (2 for 3) and Henry Godbout (1 for 3 with a double) were the only Drive batters to record a hit. Greenville's loss pushed them two games back of Hub City for the division lead and a spot in the playoffs. 

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Player of the Day: Kristian Campbell came just a single away from hitting for the cycle in a fantastic performance on Tuesday night. Campbell ripped a 109.9 mph triple to drive in a run in the first inning, pounded a three-run homer in the fifth inning, and drove in two more runs with a double in the eighth. On the day, he was 3 for 5 with six RBI and a run scored. Campbell's monster game raised his slash line to .273/.387/.444 and he now has eight home runs in 58 games with Worcester this season.  

Photo Credit: Kristian Campbell by Kelly O'Connor

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