Cup of Irish Coffee: Cespedes homers as part of three-hit evening
6/18 Cup of Coffee: Folks were partying deep into the night on Causeway Street as the complex league squads completed a sweep of their Monday competition. Yoeilin Cespedes (pictured) had a monster night, blasting a home run and reaching base five times, as the FCL Sox managed to maneuver around the rain. Both DSL squads joined in on the fun with victory cigars of their own
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After moving the first pitch back to 6:00pm to allow the early afternoon showers to pass, the FCL Sox offense turned in a relentless attack. The team delivered 13 hits and drew 11 walks, with a standout performance by Yoeilin Cespedes. The 18-year-old got the start at second base and went 3 for 4 with a double, two walks, two runs, two RBI, and a seventh-inning homer. Armando Sierra submitted the harder half of a cycle with a triple and home run. Yosander Asencio doubled twice, walked, and drove in three, while Raimundo De Los Santos reached base five times with a single and four walks. Deybi Salcedo got the start, allowing one run on two hits in four innings, striking out four without issuing a walk. Wuilliams Rodriguez got credit for the win, giving up four runs (three earned) in three frames.
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It took an extra inning, but Team Red extended their winning streak to five games and moved to 8-2 on the young season. Anderson Fermin had three hits out of the leadoff spot, including a 10th-inning single that set up the go-ahead run. Dariel Morillo got the start but did not escape the first inning, allowing two walks and surrendering two hits but getting bailed out with just one run allowed. Jose Martinez went four innings of relief, striking out five and walking one, allowing one run. Breilin Arredondo and Juan Henriquez combined for 5 1/3 scoreless innings, with Henriquez going the final three for the win.
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Justin Gonzales led the way as Team Blue completed the Monday sweep. Gonzales was 2 for 4 with a double, triple, run scored, and two RBI. Abis Prado held the Rays scoreless through three hitless frames, but was let down when his team committed three errors behind him to start the fourth inning before he was pulled. All three came on to score, saddling Prado with the unearned runs. Yoelvin Chirino got the win in relief, allowing one run on two hits in three innings, striking out four without walking a batter.
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Player of the Day: On a day for celebrating organizational patience leading to a championship, it was fitting that Boston's youngest top-10 prospect turned in such a monster performance. YYoeilin Cespedes reached base five times and had seven total bases as he continued his breakthrough stateside debut. The team's top signing from the 2023 International Free Agency class is now hitting .338/.419/.675 with more extra-base hits (16) than strikeouts (13). Cespedes is currently 6th in the SoxProspects.com rankings
Photo Credit: Yoeilin Cespedes by Kelly O'Connor