Cup of Coffee: Ronny Hernandez has blast of a debut in Greenville homer-fest

5/7 Cup of Coffee: It was a tough night for pitchers down on the farm, as the three affiliates in action combined to give up 28 runs on a Wednesday sweep. Greenville lost in a walk-off despite slugging eight home runs. Ronny Hernandez blasted two of those in his Drive debut, as Yophery Rodriguez (pictured) and Natanael Yuten also went deep twice. Worcester fell in extra innings following a late comeback, while Salem was not able to dig all the way out of an early deficit.

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The WooSox blasted three homers against a top Yankee prospect but fell in extra innings. Nate Eaton took Carlos Lagrange deep in the first inning for a solo shot to give Worcester the early advantage. Nathan Hickey and Mickey Gasper followed with two-run homers in the fourth and fifth innings. Hickey later scored the tying run on a Nick Sogard sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth that sent the game into extras. 

Justin Slaten began his rehab assignment, drawing the starting nod. He allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning, striking out a pair. Erik Rivera fought through some wobbly control in his Triple-A debut, walking five batters against three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings but allowing only two runs on one hit. Wyatt Olds took the loss, surrendering four runs (three earned) in two innings.

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Rainy weather rendered Hadlock Field unplayable, so Portland will host a Thursday doubleheader. 

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The Drive squandered an 8-4 advantage in a wild back-and-forth contest in which they homered eight times. Catcher Ronny Hernandez made his mark in his organizational debut. A day after his activation by Greenville, Hernandez was 4 for 4, blasting a solo home run in the seventh inning and a game-tying solo shot in the ninth. He scored four runs and drove in two. Yophery Rodriguez also went deep twice, setting a new career hight with eight round trippers. Natanael Yuten joined the multi-homer party with two of his own, driving in a team-leading four runs. Mason White and Yoeilin Cespedes accounted for the other two long balls.

First-round pick Kyson Witherspoon cruised through the first four innings, allowing a run on one hit while striking out five. He came on for the fifth but did not retire a batter in that frame, surrendering a single and issuing his first free pass before being lifted, with both runners coming on to score. Greensboro touched up Jay Allmer and Joey Gartrell for an eight-run seventh inning rally, then plated the winning run in the ninth off of PJ Labriola.

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Salem saw its rally fall short after falling into an early 5-0 hole. Kleyver Salazar led the offense, going 2 for 3 with a double, walk, RBI, run scored, and two stolen bases. Luke Heyman also was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk for the RidgeYaks. Ethan Walker made his first professional start after five appearances out of the bullpen, allowing two runs on four hits in two innings, striking out one. Nicolas De La Cruz followed with three runs allowed (two earned) in three frames. Madinson Frias moved from his typical spot in the rotation to a piggyback role, where he pitched well, going five innings, allowing one run on two hits. He struck out a pair without issuing a walk. 

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Player of the Day: A quad strain delayed the Greenville debut of Ronny Hernandez, but he quickly made his presence felt. Hernandez was acquired from the White Sox in the offseason in a deal for left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy, where he'd hit .251/.344/.336 with Kannapolis of the Low-A Carolina League. In one game with the Drive he already has half of his 2025 home run total, blasting two and scoring four runs in Greenville's slugfest loss.