Cup of Coffee: Jorge Rodriguez helps propel Red Sox Red to DSL finals
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6/27 Cup of Coffee: The incredible 2024 season for the Red Sox Red squad continued as they swept their way through the Dominican Summer League Semifinals.
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Game 2, DSL Semifinals
Team Red continues to roll towards a championship, as they have now outscored opponents 44-15 in four playoff contests. Following Sunday's walk-off comeback, the Red squad left no doubt on Monday, racing out to an early 5-0 lead and cruising from there. Jorge Rodriguez reached base four times, going 3 for 4 with a walk, RBI, and two runs scored. Alexander Mambel doubled and scored twice as part of a 2-for-4 effort. Anderson Fermin and Avinson Pinto continued to give opposing staffs fits at the top of the lineup. Fermin singled, walked twice, and stole a base on his way to a pair of runs scored out of the leadoff slot. Pinto was 2 for 3 with a run and two RBI.
Yodrian Beltre scattered four hits across four innings, surrendering one unearned run while striking out one. He did not issue a walk. Dariel Morillo pitched around some shaky control, walking four and striking out three in 1 2/3 but emerging without allowing a run. He got some help from Greider Colina, who emerged to escape a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning. Colina went 2 1/3 scoreless frames, allowing two hits. Yander Bonaci struck out two of the three batters he faced in a perfect ninth to seal the win.
Top-seeded DSL Giants Black evened their series with the DSL Angels with a 12-3 victory yesterday. The teams will play a decisive third game Tuesday, with the winner meeting in the best-of-three Dominican Summer League Championship Series against the Red Sox Red starting on Thursday.
Player of the Day: Jorge Rodriguez scuffled through a 1-for-20 slump to end the regular season, but he's warmed up at the right time. With Monday's effort, he is now 8 for 17 in the postseason, with three hits apiece in both of the clinching games. The 18-year-old was signed to a modest $10,000 bonus as an international free agent out of Venezuela in January and posted a .333 on-base percentage during the season.