Cup of Coffee: Mayer has two hits in slow offensive day
-----
Worcester scored one in the ninth and got the tying run to third, but it was too little, too late, which was a theme on the farm on Friday night. The Red Sox had just five hits, two of which were by Karson Simas, while Eddy Alvarez hit a home run in the sixth to bring his team to within one run. It wasn't a banner outing for Jason Alexander, who allowed three runs over four innings of work. He allowed six hits and one walk, but he did punch out six Mud Hen hitters. He was followed by Lucas Luetge, who didn't allow a run in two innings.
-----
Four of Portland's six hits went for extra bases, including home runs by Blaze Jordan and Matthew Lugo, but both were solo shots and other hitters weren't able to string enough together to win, as Eddinson Paulino's two-out double in the fifth represented the team's last baserunner, though Marcelo Mayer did have two singles. On the mound, Hunter Dobbins contributed six innings and allowed just two runs on five hits, though he did walk three. He also struck out seven hitters.
-----
Greenville scored the game's first two runs on Tyler Miller's two-RBI double, but the Grasshoppers tied the game in the next half inning and added two more later for the win. Miller had three of his team's seven hits, two of which went for extra bases. Hayden Mullins had traffic consistently throughout his four-inning outing, with three walks and a pair of hits but no runs scored on his ledger. Cade Feeney also struck out each of the batters he faced in the ninth, but the tying run couldn't get on base for a comeback bid.
-----
Salem was able to muster only four hits, but it was enough to record a 3-1 win for the second consecutive game. The Red Sox held off a ninth-inning rally as a leadoff double scored, but Jojo Ingrassia kept the tying run at the plate. Luis Cohen made the start and pitched five innings of shutout ball, scattering two hits and three walks. He struck out one batter. He was followed by Michael Sansone, who made his season debut after being signed earlier this week. He threw three innings and allowed three hits and one walk, but no runs came across. Nelly Taylor had half of his team's base knocks, including a double, and scored a run.
-----
Player of the Day: A ninth-round pick out of Auburn in 2021, Tyler Miller is aggressive at the plate and has above-average raw power, which helped him to a three-hit evening in Greenville on Friday. He needs to improve his offensive approach, but he showed his skills as his three hits each came early in the count.
Photo Credit: Tyler Miller by Kelly O'Connor