Cup of Coffee: Clarke perfect in Salem debut; Rosario, Rosier pace Portland

4/11 Cup of Coffee: Boston's affiliates went 1-2 on Thursday, as Greenville's game in Asheville was suspended due to rain. Liam Hendriks commenced his rehab assignment in Worcester and tossed a scoreless first inning against Columbus. Ronald Rosario crushed a three-run homer as part of a four-RBI showing in Portland's trouncing of New Hampshire. Last but certainly not least, Brandon Clarke (pictured) made his highly anticipated professional debut for Salem against Fredericksburg. 

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Liam Hendriks began a rehab assignment and got the start at Polar Park. The 36-year-old struck out three of the four batters he faced as part of a scoreless first inning in which he reached 95 mph with his fastball. Fellow right-hander Michael Fulmer took over for Hendriks in the second and took the loss after surrendering two earned runs on three hits (including one home run), three walks, and five strikeouts over four innings. Brian Van Belle and Nick Burdi then combined for four additional scoreless frames of relief. Offensively, Worcester was not able to get much going. Nate Eaton accounted for his side's lone RBI by going 1 for 4 with a run-scoring single that pushed across Vaughn Grissom in the ninth inning. Grissom and Abraham Toro both went 1 for 3 with one walk.

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Ronald Rosario led the way at the plate for Portland by going 2 for 4 with his first Double-A home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Corey Rosier also recorded multiple hits, as he went 2 for 3 with two doubles, three RBIs, and one run scored. Karson Simas doubled in a run and scored twice as part of a 1 for 4 showing. Ahbram Liendo and Luis Ravelo combined to drive in three runs, while Blaze Jordan went 1 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored. Caden Rose had one hit, drew one walk, scored two runs, stole two bases, and threw out old friend Eddinson Paulino at second base from center field.

Tyler Uberstine went 4 2/3 innings in his second start of the season. The 25-year-old righty allowed three earned runs on five hits, three walks, and eight strikeouts on 87 pitches (49 strikes). He left with the bases loaded and made way for Gabriel Jackson, who walked in one of the runners he inherited before escaping the jam. Jackson, Christopher Troye, and Yovanny Cruz then combined for four scoreless frames of relief to close it out.

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This game was suspended in the bottom of the fourth inning due to rain. It will be completed ahead of Friday night's regularly scheduled contest. Before the weather became an issue, Noah Dean had gotten his season debut for Greenville off to a solid start. The 24-year-old lefty had struck out five and scattered four walks without allowing a hit or run through his first three innings of work. At the plate, Miguel Bleis had gone 1 for 3 with three RBIs, Nazzan Zanetello had scored two runs out of the leadoff spot, and Andy Lugo had doubled.

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Brandon Clarke dazzled on the mound for Salem in what was his professional debut. Celebrating his 22nd birthday, the left-hander struck out five of the 12 batters he faced over four perfect innings. He threw an efficient 40 pitches (30 strikes) and generated nine swings and misses. Luis Cohen followed out of the bullpen and allowed one run in 1 1/3 innings before making way for Shea Sprague. Sprague, also making his pro debut, surrendered six runs (five earned) on seven hits, three walks, and five strikeouts across 2 2/3 frames.

Kleyver Salazar paced the Salem lineup by going 2 for 4 with one double and one run scored. Kelvin Diaz also doubled in one run and scored another as part of a 1-for-3 night at the plate. Franklin Arias, likewise, went 1 for 3 with one RBI and one walk out of the leadoff spot. Antonio Anderson and Freili Encarnacion each plated one run on a sacrifice fly.

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Player of the Day: Brandon Clarke gets the nod for dominating on his birthday. Though his outing was on the short side, Clarke exemplified why he was viewed as a standout in his first spring training with Boston after being selected in the fifth round of last summer's draft. The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota product is currently ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the organization.