Cup of Coffee: Dobbins strikes out eight; Ward allows first runs
7/25 Cup of Coffee: Chris Murphy could not make it out of the first inning, but Worcester's offense scored 10 runs to win it. Stephen Scott (pictured) had the best offensive performance of the day, reaching base five times, while Matt Barnes and Thad Ward made rehab appearances. Matthew Lugo and Phillip Sikes homered for Greenville, and Hunter Dobbins had another great start for Salem.
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The WooSox picked up Chris Murphy after a rough start. Murphy walked three, gave up four hits, and recorded only one out while throwing 36 pitches. Every Worcester batter recorded at least one hit, and eight batters reached base at least twice. Ronaldo Hernández drove in three runs and went 2 for 3 with two doubles. Christin Stewart added a double and two walks, and Triston Casas went 2 for 4 with a walk. Johan Mieses, Nick Sogard, and Grant Williams each drove in two runs.
AJ Politi and Chase Shugart struck out two over two scoreless innings, and Matt Barnes gave up two runs in his lone inning. The save went to Frank German with a scoreless ninth.
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It was another high-scoring affair in New Hampshire, with the Sea Dogs coming up short. Brian Van Belle gave up three runs over four innings, and Kyle Hart followed with a scoreless inning. Brendan Nail let the first three batters reach in the sixth inning, and they all came around to score. Zach Bryant also gave up three runs as he fell to 1-4.
Stephen Scott had his best game as a member of the Sea Dogs, going 2 for 2 with a home run and three walks. Hudson Potts also homered but struck out three times as well. David Hamilton went 1 for 3 with two walks and stole three bases. Kole Cottam went 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI and caught a runner stealing.
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Thad Ward had his first hiccup on his rehab assignment, allowing three runs over three innings. He walked three and struck out three. Chih-Jung Liu picked up his 10th loss after allowing three runs in 2 2/3. He struck out five and walked two. Matthew Lugo paced the offense, going 3 for 4 with a home run and a walk. Phillip Sikes also went deep, while Nathan Hickey and Brandon Howlett doubled.
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A great start from Hunter Dobbins was not enough for Salem on Sunday. Dobbins struck out eight over five innings, walking two and allowing one run. He has an ERA of just 2.15 over his first 37 2/3 innings. Luis De La Rosa followed with four innings of two-run ball, striking out three. Salem did outhit Lynchburg 8-6 but left 11 men on base. Blaze Jordan singled three times, Brainer Bonaci went 2 for 5 with a double, and Eddinson Paulino went 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
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Player of the Day: Stephen Scott reached base five times, going 2 for 2 with a home run and three walks. The 25-year-old moved his line to .274/.413/.438 in 73 at-bats with the Sea Dogs. A 10th-round pick in 2019, Scott got off to a rough start in Salem this year after being named a 2021 SoxProspects.com All-Star. Since moving up to Portland this season his performance has bounced back, and he has been splitting his time between catcher and DH.
Photo Credit: Stephen Scott by Kelly O'Connor