Cup of Coffee: Tolle strikes out 12; Jordan and Romero go deep for Portland
5/5 Cup of Coffee: After fellow 2024 draftees Brandon Clarke, Blake Aita, and Conrad Cason had strong outings earlier in the week, Payton Tolle (pictured) one-upped them with a dominant outing for Greenville. Tolle did not need any run support, but Franklin Arias provided some with a home run. Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer were a highlight again for Worcester, while Mikey Romero was great in both ends of a doubleheader for the Sea Dogs. In Salem, Andruw Musett belted two home runs in a win over Fredericksburg.
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Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer combined for five hits, but it was not enough to get past the Mud Hens. Starter Robert Stock allowed only two hits and struck out nine over five innings, but both of the hits were solo home runs. Zack Kelly followed with two innings of one-run ball, striking out three. Jose Adames came on in the eighth with the score tied 3-3, but he was chased after allowing three runs while only recording one out. Anthony went 3 for 5 with a steal while also being picked off, and Mayer went 2 for 5.
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A two-run single from Ronald Rosario in the top of the seventh proved to be the difference in the first game of the doubleheader. The single put the Sea Dogs up by three, but New Hampshire scored two in the bottom of the inning off of Wyatt Olds. Olds came away with the victory as he allowed only those two runs over three innings with six strikeouts. David Sandlin went the first four frames, striking out three and walking two while allowing three runs. Blaze Jordan launched his second home run of the year as part of a 2-for-4 game. Mikey Romero went 1 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base, while Max Ferguson went 1 for 2 with a walk, stolen base, and outfield assist.
In the makeup of Saturday's rainout, the Sea Dogs limited New Hampshire to two hits in a rain-shortened victory. The skies opened up with one out to go, and the game was ultimately called while New Hampshire had two runners on. Gabriel Jackson allowed just one hit over the first three innings, and Alex Hoppe help the Fisher Cats hitless over the next two frames. The star offensively was Romero, who went 2 for 4 with a double and his fifth home run. Ahbram Liendo was on base three times via two singles and a walk, and Karson Simas went 1 for 2 with a double and a walk. Liendo attempted four steals in the game, with three of them being successful.
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In one of the most lopsided games of the year, Greenville's stars put on a show. Payton Tolle got revenge against Asheville after they got to him for six runs in his professional debut. On Sunday he struck out 12 and did not walk a batter over five shutout innings to earn his first career win. He needed just 71 pitches to record 20 swinging strikes. Adam Smith got the hold with three scoreless frames, and Darvin Garcia closed it down with a scoreless ninth. Franklin Arias went 2 for 4 with a solo home run and two walks, and Brooks Brannon went 3 for 4 with a triple. Cleanup hitter Zach Ehrhard went 2 for 5 with a double, and Hudson White went 2 for 5 with a double and a triple.
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An eight-run sixth inning propelled Salem past the Nationals. Andruw Musett led off the sixth inning with a single, and he launched a three-run home run to cap off the scoring in the inning. Musett also hit a solo home run in the first inning for his first two home runs of the season. Yoeilin Cespedes went 2 for 4 with two doubles and a walk, and Freili Encarnacion went 2 for 4. The offensive outburst helped Steven Brooks avoid a decision after he allowed five runs over four innings. The win went to Griffin Kilander who allowed an unearned run over 2 1/3, and Manuel Medina kept Fredericksburg off the board as he earned an eight-out save.
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Player of the Day: Fresh off of winning last week's Pitcher of the Week award, Payton Tolle has put himself in position to win it again. Tolle struck out 12 over five shutout innings, and punched out 11 of the first 15 batters he faced. SoxProspects.com contributor Chris Clegg was at the game, and reported that Tolle's fastball touched 98 mph with elite spin and extension. Over Tolle's last three starts, he has 26 strikeouts and two walks in only 13 innings.
Photo Credit: Payton Tolle by Kelly O'Connor