7/28 Cup of Coffee: We are firmly in "hug watch" season, as trade activity has picked up as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. Fans said goodbye to three prospects yesterday, as
Eddinson Paulino,
Cutter Coffey, and
Gilberto Batista were traded to Toronto for
Danny Jansen. On the field,
Chase Meidroth (pictured) was terrific in a tough loss for Worcester.
Hunter Dobbins spearheaded a Portland shutout,
Noah Dean made an impact in his debut for Greenville, and
Anderson Fermin was great in both legs of a doubleheader.
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The RailRiders scored two in the eighth inning to tie it and then hit a walk-off home run in the 11th. A four-hit game that included a double and a home run from Chase Meidroth was not enough for the WooSox. Meidroth also added a walk, while Nick Sogard went 2 for 4 with two walks. Richard Fitts went the first five innings and allowed four runs (two earned) while striking out two. Fitts now has six strikeouts in his last 13 innings. Luis Guerrero blew the save in the eighth, and Joely Rodríguez served up the walk-off homer.
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Hunter Dobbins had one of his best starts of the season as he did not allow a hit over five innings. He struck out six while walking one. Alex Hoppe kept the shutout alive with three strikeouts over two innings, and Felix Cepeda finished it with a two-inning save. The Sea Dogs only had four hits, but they strung a few together in a three-run fourth inning. Roman Anthony and Alex Binelas notched doubles, and Tyler McDonough laced a two-run single. The fourth hit was a single off the bat of Marcelo Mayer.
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Noah Dean did not miss a beat in his High-A debut, pairing with Jedixson Paez to shut down the Crawdads. Paez got the start and allowed one run over five innings while striking out four. He left with a one-run lead, and Dean closed it out over the final four innings to earn a save. Dean struck out seven and allowed only one hit. Paez closes out July with a 1.02 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 17 2/3 innings. At the plate, home runs from Ronald Rosario and Allan Castro plated four of Greenville's runs. Miguel Bleis went 1 for 2 with a double and Justin Riemer went 0 for 2 while making his debut with the Drive.
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Salem's bullpen struggled late as Carolina pulled away. Luis Cohen tossed the first 5 2/3 innings, striking out five while allowing one run on two hits. He left with the lead, but the Mudcats got to Max Carlson for six runs on 11 hits in 2 1/3 innings. Stanley Tucker was the only Salem batter with a multi-hit game as he went 2 for 3 with a walk, and Nelly Taylor went 1 for 3 with a double, walk, and a stolen base.
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The Braves came out on top after completing a suspended game from July 2. Of the eight pitchers the Red Sox threw, Greider Colina had the most success. He struck out six and allowed only one hit over 2 1/3. Leadoff hitter Anderson Fermin set the tone for the offense, going 3 for 4 with a double and three RBI. Chad Delancey and Rafi Montesino had a single, drew two walks, and stole a base.
Fermin kept his foot on the gas to help the Red Sox take the second game. He went 2 for 2 with a double and a walk to raise his average to an even .300. Jorge Rodriguez stole two bases and added an RBI double, and Carlos Carrasquel went 3 for 4 with an RBI. Starter Yodrian Beltre was excellent in picking up his first win, firing five innings while allowing two runs (one earned). He walked one and struck out four. Raphy Gil did not allow a hit over the final two innings to pick up his second save.
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Home runs from Edwin Darville and Josue Brito led the Blue squad. Darville's home run was his first, and he also tacked on a triple and a walk. Brito finished 2 for 3 with a walk, and his home run was his third. Justin Gonzales went 2 for 4 with a steal, and Yoiber Ruiz went 3 for 4 with a steal. Juan Medina dazzled in his second appearance, striking out two over four hitless innings.
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Player of the Day: For the second time this season
Chase Meidroth reached base five times. He finished 4 for 5 with a double, a home run, and a walk. Teammates call Meidroth "Force Field" for his ability to draw walks, but he also leads the team in hits. His on-base percentage is up to .436, and the system's 11th-ranked prospect now has five home runs.
Photo Credit: Chase Meidroth by Kelly O'Connor
