Cup of Coffee: Mayer stays hot, Downs leads Worcester to big win
7/3 Cup of Coffee: Worcester blasted three home runs, led by Jeter Downs (pictured), in its10-run victory. Jay Groome was good for Portland, while Ceddanne Rafaela hit another home run. For Salem, Marcelo Mayer continued his hot pace at the plate, and Angel Bastardo added a great pitching performance in his start.
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The Sox used the long ball in a big offensive night, as Christin Stewart continued his big season, belting his 14th home run of the year. Jeter Downs also had a big night, going 2 for 5 with a double and his 13th home run of the year. Yolmer Sanchez homered and drove in three as well from the top spot in the order. Connor Wong also went 3 for 5 with a double.
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Jay Groome was really good again for the Sea Dogs, tossing five innings while allowing one run with seven strikeouts. He is off to a great start in July after posting a 2.73 ERA in June. Jake Thompson continued his great season with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts, while Caleb Sampson struck out three in two innings of work. At the plate, Ceddanne Rafaela homered for the sixth time as a Sea Dog as part of a 1-for-4 evening. Elih Marrero also doubled and scored in three trips to the plate.
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Rome Braves (ATL) 5, Greenville Drive 0 (Game 1)
The Drive were no-hit by Luis De Avila in the first game of a doubleheader. Niko Kavadas still managed to reach twice with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Matthew Lugo and Nick Northcut also drew free passes. Yusniel Padron-Artiles struggled, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in three innings pitched. Casey Cobb and Cody Scroggins had nearly identical outings, each going two innings with one run allowed, one walk, and two strikeouts.
The Drive were no-hit by Luis De Avila in the first game of a doubleheader. Niko Kavadas still managed to reach twice with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Matthew Lugo and Nick Northcut also drew free passes. Yusniel Padron-Artiles struggled, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks in three innings pitched. Casey Cobb and Cody Scroggins had nearly identical outings, each going two innings with one run allowed, one walk, and two strikeouts.
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Greenville Drive 4, Rome Braves (ATL) 2 (Game 2)
Tyler McDonough played hero in this one, belting a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. It was his eighth long ball of the year. Brandon Howlett also had a big night, going 3 for 3 with two doubles and two runs scored. Nick Yorke added a couple hits and two RBI out of the leadoff spot. Ryan Zeferjahn started and did not allow a run over three innings with four strikeouts and no walks. Michael Gettys, who ended up getting the win, pitched the final inning with no runs allowed and a strikeout.
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Salem Red Sox 9, Lynchburg Hillcats (CLE) 3
Newly minted top prospect here at SoxProspects.com Marcelo Mayer continued his hot streak. He went 3 for 5 with his 21st double, a walk, and a pair of runs scored. Karson Simas also hit a solo home run, his first of the year. Eddinson Paulino roped a couple doubles and drove in two, while Yorberto Mejicano had two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Angel Bastardo was great on the mound, surrendering one run over six innings of work. Graham Hoffman also tossed a clean ninth inning.
Newly minted top prospect here at SoxProspects.com Marcelo Mayer continued his hot streak. He went 3 for 5 with his 21st double, a walk, and a pair of runs scored. Karson Simas also hit a solo home run, his first of the year. Eddinson Paulino roped a couple doubles and drove in two, while Yorberto Mejicano had two hits, including a double, and two RBI. Angel Bastardo was great on the mound, surrendering one run over six innings of work. Graham Hoffman also tossed a clean ninth inning.
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FCL Red Sox 6, FCL Twins 4
Freddy Valdez led the way offensively, going 2 for 4 with his first home run of the season. Three other Sox hitters had two hits as well, including Luis Ravelo, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Eduardo Vaughan. Albert Feliz also roped an RBI triple. Cameron Cannon played in his second game back after missing the past month and a half, and he went 0 for 4 with a run scored. Luis De La Rosa started and tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings, striking out five. Henry Nunez followed that with 1 2/3 scoreless frames with three strikeouts and no walks. Railin Perez was also great, getting the final out in the seventh before striking out the side in order in the eighth.
Freddy Valdez led the way offensively, going 2 for 4 with his first home run of the season. Three other Sox hitters had two hits as well, including Luis Ravelo, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Eduardo Vaughan. Albert Feliz also roped an RBI triple. Cameron Cannon played in his second game back after missing the past month and a half, and he went 0 for 4 with a run scored. Luis De La Rosa started and tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings, striking out five. Henry Nunez followed that with 1 2/3 scoreless frames with three strikeouts and no walks. Railin Perez was also great, getting the final out in the seventh before striking out the side in order in the eighth.
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DSL Red Sox Blue 6, DSL Red Sox Red 1
The Blue team continued its dominance this season, winning an 11th consecutive game. Blue also defeated the Red team for the third time in three tries this year. Rivaldo Avila led the way in this one for the Blue team, going 2 for 4 with three runs knocked in. Andy Lugo also picked up two hits, including a double, and scored twice. His batting average moves up to .396. Willian Colmenares continued his fabulous campaign with five shoutout frames, allowing just two hits and two walks while punching out six. His ERA is 1.89 in six starts. Wandy Abreu tossed two scoreless innings, and Andres Ortuno saved his sixth game, retiring all four batters he faced.
On the Red side, Frank Astacio was the top offensive performer with a double and a run scored. Carlos Reyes was the highlight on the bump with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. He allowed just a hit, a walk, and struck out three. Yonfi Rodriguez also had a great day, tossing four hitless innings. He did give up a run and three walks but struck out three as well.
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Player of the Day: Jeter Downs had his second consecutive game with multiple extra-base hits. He is off to a great start in July with four extra-base knocks in nine at-bats after just seven extra-base hits in 71 June at-bats. Overall, the infielder is hitting just .193 this year, but he has 31 walks to give him a .317 OBP to go along with 23 extra-base hits.
Photo Credit: Jeter Downs by Kelly O'Connor