Cup of Coffee: 3 RBI for McElveney; Greenville gets 1-hit
5/24 Cup of Coffee: It was a tough day on the farm, as the affiliates went a combined 2-4. Portland almost made it an even 3-3 to sweep a doubleheader against Hartford, but Marcelo Mayer, who came on to pinch hit in the second half of a doubleheader, flew out representing the winning run. Meanwhile, Salem was one-hit, the FCL Red Sox surrendered an eighth-inning lead, and Worcester left 11 runners on base. It wasn't all bad, however. Salem came back to win with a four-run eighth, as Daniel McElveny (pictured) recorded a home run and three RBI. A trio of Worcester hitters also had three base hits apiece in Chase Meidroth, Nick Sogard, and Dalton Guthrie.
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Worcester exploded for 13 hits, but it wasn't enough as the Sox left 11 runners on base and were just 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position. Chase Meidroth, Nick Sogard and Dalton Guthrie each had three knocks, while Jamie Westbrook had a pair of doubles. It was a short outing for Grant Gambrell, who couldn't complete the fourth and exited after 3 2/3 innings. He was saddled with the loss despite allowing just two earned runs on three hits and four walks. Most of the Norfolk runs were charged to Sal Romano, as he allowed five runners to cross the plate in just two innings of work. Chase Shugart handled the final 3 1/3 innings with six strikeouts.
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The first half of the doubleheader went to Portland, as a four-run fourth was enough to hold off a late comeback, which featured a pair of runs in the sixth. Out of the leadoff spot, Roman Anthony had two hits, as did Matthew Lugo, with a single and double for each. Zach Penrod was on the mound and was able to get the win, as he pitched 5 1/3 frames, allowing each Yard Goat tally. He walked just one and struck out nine. Brendan Cellucci closed the game out with just two hits and a walk on his ledger over 1 2/3 innings.
In a contest that was originally scheduled for April 6, Portland got the winning run in pinch-hitter Marcelo Mayer to the plate, but he recorded just a flyout to end the game. Nick Yorke registered a pair of hits to nudge his batting average up to .245. Four runs were charged to Wyatt Olds, who handled the game's first 2 1/3 innings. He allowed four runs on four hits, with a quartet of strikeouts to go along with a pair of walks. In relief, Caleb Bolden (2 2/3 innings) and Cody Scroggins (two innings) each surrendered one run.
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Greenville was only able to muster one hit, a single off the bat of Kristian Campbell, in a shutout defeat, while manager Iggy Suarez was ejected in the fourth. The no-hitter lasted into the seventh inning. Cooper Adams earned the start and four runs scored on his tab over four innings, partially due to two home runs. Zach Fogell, who made a name for himself by being available every day out of the bullpen at UConn, contributed three more frames, with just a solo homer allowed.
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Salem trailed 5-4 heading into the bottom of the eighth but rallied four a four-run frame to take the lead and secure the win, even as the tying run reached the plate in the ninth. Andy Lugo, Daniel McElveny and Nelly Taylor formed the multi-hit club, with two knocks each. Both of Taylor's went for two bases, while McElveney doubled and homered with three RBI. Matt Duffy had the start and allowed three runs scored on his watch as he allowed three hits and a walk, with a pair of punchouts. Danny Kirwin handled bulk relief as he built the bridge to Max Carlson in the ninth. Kirwin allowed a pair of runs, while one more scored on Carlson.
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The Red Sox scored a run in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead, but the Twins stormed right back with a pair of runs in the bottom half to take a win. Kelvin Diaz had two of his team's seven hits, none of which went for extra bases. Franklin Arias had two RBI, one of which came when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The start went to Adam Bates, who surrendered two runs on five hits over four innings of work, striking out three Twins. Luis Jerez had the other two innings and had plenty of traffic, with five hits and two walks.
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Player of the Day: Daniel McElveny came up clutch for Salem, with two hits and three RBI. His first was a solo homer in the third, followed by a clutch two-run double that gave his team the lead for good. The 21-year-old backstop now has two home runs to his name since being drafted in the sixth round in 2021. He doesn't have one standout tool, but has proven to be a well-rounded player that doesn't have a true weakness in his game as he learns the tools of the trade behind the plate.
Photo Credit: Daniel McElveny by Kelly O'Connor