Cup of Coffee: Scorching-hot Arias leads FCL Sox sweep
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The WooSox were powered by a big night from Jamie Westbrook. The third baseman drove in four of the five Worcester runs in his 3-for-4 effort, including a tie-breaking two-run homer in the eighth inning. Chase Meidroth also submitted three hits, his fourth consecutive multi-hit game. Justin Hagenman got the start, allowing three runs on four hits in a season-high five innings, striking out five without walking a batter. Chase Shugart got the win with two hitless innings of relief. With three strikeouts, he has now fanned 53 in 40 1/3 innings.
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It was a bend-but-don't-break night on the mound for Isaac Coffey, who allowed 10 baserunners in five innings but escaped having surrendered just one run. Coffey gave up seven hits, hit one batter, and walked a pair, managing to load the bases without allowing a run in both the first and fourth innings. Wyatt Olds followed Coffey and left less to fortune: he went three hitless frames, striking out six and walking two to hold the Fisher Cats scoreless. Eddinson Paulino led the way at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a run, RBI, and a stolen base. Kyle Teel scored twice, and Phillip Sikes doubled for the only Portland extra-base hit. Kristian Campbell saw his hitting streak halted at 13 games. He had gone 20 for 44 (.455) during the stretch.
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The Greenville lineup took well to the hitter-friendly environs of Asheville, with all starters picking up at least one hit and the lineup totaling 15. Ronald Rosario and Jhostynxson Garcia blasted back-to-back homers in the first inning, giving the Drive a lead they would not relinquish. Rosario finished the contest 3 for 5, scoring and driving in two apiece, while Garcia scored three runs as part of a 2-for-5 effort. The homer was Garcia's 15th of the season, giving him a tie for the organizational lead. Cutter Coffey and Allan Castro also went deep for Greenville.
Three pitchers went three innings apiece in the win. Gabriel Jackson got the spot start, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. Bryce Bonnin gave up just one hit in three scoreless frames, striking out three and walking one as he picked up the win. Isaac Stebens picked up the save as he surrendered a pair of runs.
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Salem was the only full-season affiliate to fall on Monday, despite the efforts of Nazzan Zanetello. The 2023 second-round pick had scuffled some since returning from injury in late May, but he was 3 for 5 with a double and four runs driven in out of the leadoff spot. Stanley Tucker was 2 for 3 with a walk. while Daniel McElveny reached base four times with a single, two walks, and a hit batsman, scoring three runs. Luis Cohen allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits in three innings in his start. Michael Sansone took the loss in relief as his ERA rose above the 2.00 mark for the first time this season.
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The Franklin Arias show continue in Fort Myers as he led a doubleheader sweep. He was 3 for 4 out of the leadoff spot, picking up a double, RBI, and two runs scored. Andruw Musett was 2 for 3 with a walk, double, and two RBI, while Armando Sierra contributed a three-run homer. Deybi Salcedo went four innings in his start, allowing four runs on six hits. Jesus Garcia picked up the win in relief, scattering three hits across three scoreless frames, striking out four, and walking one.
The Sox lineup delivered 10 hits in just five innings in the rain-shortened nightcap. Arias again set the table, picking up a double, walk, stolen base, and run scored. Yosander Asencio was the star in the second game, blasting a solo home run in the first and adding a double, walk, and two runs. Sierra was 2 for 3 with a double and two runs, while Kleyver Salazar drove in a pair and added a double of his own in a 2-for-3 effort. There was more than enough support for a pair of FCL hurlers. Wuilliams Rodriguez went three shutout innings, allowing three hits, striking out three, and walking one. Willian Colmaneras got credit for the win with his two scoreless frames in relief.
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The first place Red squad won their sixth straight to go to 15-5 on the year. Chad Delancey led the way out of the ninth spot, going 2 for 2 with a triple, walk, hit batsman, and three RBI. Jorge Rodriguez scored a pair of runs, and Efran Teran picked up a double and run scored. All four runs allowed by Dariel Morillo were unearned, as the 17-year-old righty allowed three hits in three innings. Cesar Muziotti, Oscar Sanchez, and Juan Henriquez went two shutout innings apiece, with Henriquez getting the win.
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Team Blue has been moving in the opposite direction of their Red counterparts, losing for the sixth time in seven games. Ilan Fernandez had two of the team's four hits, with Justin Gonzales and Edwin Darville adding doubles for the other two. Abis Prado surrendered seven runs (two earned) in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss.
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Player of the Day: Franklin Arias is on fire in Florida. With his 4-for-7, two-double effort on Monday, his season line is up to .308/.432/.513 with an FCL-leading 13 doubles. As you narrow the timeframe, his numbers get even more impressive. In 16 games over the last month, Arias is hitting .404/.493/.719 with nine doubles and three homers, and he is 11 for 20 with five two-baggers and seven driven in in his last six contests. The offensive outburst is all the more impressive since his defense is considered his strength. The 17-year-old signed to a $525,000 bonus in January 2023 out of Venezuela, and he is currently ranked 21st in the system.
Photo Credit: Franlin Arias by Kelly O'Connor