Cup of Coffee: Gonzales goes for 4 hits

8/30 Cup of Coffee: The big club split a doubleheader on Saturday, but the minor league affiliates weren't as fortunate, as just one of the four grabbed a win and they begin to fall further from playoff contention. This wasn't without some solid performances, however, as No. 2 prospect Justin Gonzales (pictured) exploded with a four-hit performance in a big Portland victory, contributing two RBI along the way. Barrett Morgan also had a nice start for Greenville, pitching 3 1/3 no-hit innings, while Andruw Mussett was a bright spot in an otherwise tough close loss for Salem, hitting a two-run homer as part of a three-hit evening.

 

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Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders (NYY) 9, Worcester Red Sox 1

A four-run fifth was the separator for Worcester, as the WooSox just got five hits. However, there was some encouraging news for the big league club, as Isiah Kiner-Falefa knocked two hits, while Trevor Story knocked a double and Roman Anthony worked a walk, meaning all three rehabbers reached base. Michael Sansone handled the bulk of the work, pitching the first five innings. He allowed six runs, five of which were earned, on two home runs. He walked one and struck out five. Patrick Halligan also contributed three innings, while Nathan Hickey had another pitching appearance in the ninth.

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Worcester is now four-and-a-half games out of a playoff spot and needs to jump seven teams to reach the top of the pile. 

 

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Portland Sea Dogs 14, Richmond Flying Squirrels (SF) 3

Portland entered the sixth inning down 1-0, but the Sea Dogs put up seven runs in the frame and then added three in the eighth and four more in the ninth to run away with a blowout victory. Justin Gonzalez led the way offensively, scoring three runs and bringing in two more with a 4-for-6 performance, including a double. Johanfran Garcia added three hits, two of which left the yard. He had six RBI. Henry Godbout and Nelly Taylor also joined the two in the multi-hit club. The start went to Morgan McSweeney, who struck out eight over five innings. He scattered three hits and one walk, with one run across the plate.

 

Like its Triple-A counterpart, Portland is also four-and-a-half back, but sits in third place in the Eastern League Northeast Division.  

 

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Rome Emperors (ATL) 12, Greenville Drive 2

Nazzan Zanetello had two of his team's six hits as Rome took a big victory fueled by a six-run fifth inning. Three members of the Drive had doubles, as Zanetello, Luke Heyman and Skylar King all went for two bases. Barrett Morgan threw 3 1/3 no-hit innings to start the game, walking one and striking out four, but Adam Bates struggled in relief, coughing up six runs on four hits and two walks. He gave up two home runs, as well. Matt McShane (2 innings) and Luis Cohen (2 2/3 innings) each surrendered a trio of tallies over their relief appearances.

 

Greenville is two-and-a-half games back of Winston-Salem for the South Atlantic League's South Division lead. 

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Fayetteville Woodpeckers (HOU) 5, Salem RidgeYaks 4

Andruw Mussett had three hits, including a two-run home run, but Salem allowed three runs in the seventh to surrender the lead and were unable to mount a comeback bid and were the third affiliate to fall on the day. He was the only RidgeYak with an extra-base hit. It was a bullpen day as Sadbiel Delzine had the first three innings, striking out three. However, he allowed two runs on three hits. Alex Kranzler was the only pitcher to now allow a run, with one hit and one walk. He also struck out two. 

 

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Player of the Day: Four hits, three runs and two RBI is tough to beat. Justin Gonzales has been scorching hot since being promoted to Double-A Portland, as he's hitting .441/.525/.735 across 40 plate appearances since the call-up on August 18. 

 

Photo Credit: Justin Gonzales by Kelly O'Connor

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