Cup of Coffee: Hart leads Worcester to win after Seabold scratch
9/26 Cup of Coffee: There was one fewer game than usual on Saturday as the two DSL squads had their weekly intra-organizational showdown. It was a game that was dominated by Blue, which led 9-0 after the third inning. The victors were led by Armando Sierra, who was 3 for 3 with a trio of RBI. The other contest on the docket was in Worcester, as the Red Sox took down Rochester. Franchy Cordero went deep for the 12th time in Worcester this season, while in a spot start replacing the healthy scratch Connor Seabold, Kyle Hart (pictured) did not surrender an earned run across 5 2/3 innings of work.
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It was a pitchers' duel, as Worcester and Rochester combined for just nine hits on Saturday. Rochester struck first, leading in the fourth, but Franchy Cordero drilled a solo home run and Jack Lopez had a two-RBI single as part of a three-run seventh that proved to be the difference for Worcester. Kyle Hart took to the mound in Connor Seabold's stead, the latter of whom was scratched as major league depth, should they need an arm that is fully stretched out. Hart surrendered just an unearned run across 5 2/3 innings in his spot start. He scattered three hits and a walk while striking out six. Stephen Gonsalves pitched two no-hit innings, while Austin Brice closed it out for the save.
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Blue struck early and often, grabbing four runs in the first and then another five in the third to coast to victory. Armando Sierra led the way for Blue with a 3-for-3 performance, driving home three runs. None of the other hitters across either team had more than one knock, as the teams combined for just 12 hits. Yordanny Monegro and Stiwar Adames had a pair of scoreless innings each and Monegro's outing was of the no-hit variety. Each arm allowed three baserunners but were able to prevent runs from scoring. On the other side, Efren Diaz pitched the final two runs for Red without allowing a runner to reach safely, striking out three in the process.
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Player of the Day: He replaced a late scratch, but performed valiantly as Kyle Hart gave his team 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball on Saturday as Connor Seabold was shelved in case the major league team needs a pitcher that can provide length over the final week of the regular season. It was among his best of the season, as it was just his third game this year of more than two innings where he did not allow an earned run. A Red Wing did cross the plate in the fourth of Saturday's game, but after reaching on a bunt single, two passed balls allowed him to move to third. Hart also struck out six and lowered his ERA to 4.26 for the season.
Photo Credit: Kyle Hart by Kelly O'Connor