Cup of Coffee: 10-run inning sinks Worcester; 2 extra-base hits for Binelas
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9/14 Cup of Coffee: Outside of one inning, it was a solid day for Portland and Worcester as they pursue playoff spots. The problem is the bad frame was one of the worst of the season for the Red Sox, as they allowed 10 runs in the seventh inning to Syracuse, turning a 1-0 ballgame into a laugher as they chase both Columbus and Indianapolis to secure a spot in the International League Championship Series. Portland was much more successful against its Mets affiliate, scoring six runs early and holding off a comeback bid late. Five Sea Dogs had multiple hits, including Alex Binelas (pictured) as he knocked a double and home run as part of a three-RBI day.
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The score in Worcester was 1-0 after six innings. By the time the seventh-inning stretch came around, Syracuse was up 11-0 after a 10-run frame as Worcester pitching lost the zone, walking six and hitting two more Mets. It wasted a good start by Brad Keller, who allowed one run over six innings of work, which came on a solo home run in the first. He surrendered just three hits and walked one more with five strikeouts.
Brendan Cellucci faced four hitters to start the seventh and walked three of the four hitters he faced, hitting the fourth without throwing a strike. All four of those runners came across to score. Jacob Webb replaced him and was able to get in the zone, but a single and a triple meant four runs, before another hit-by-pitch, single and walk re-loaded the bases with Worcester down 7-0, all without recording an out. Six runs were charged to Webb before Yoahn Ramirez was able to end the inning. He threw 1 2/3 no-hit innings, while Tyler Miller had a clean ninth.Worcester mustered only five hits, all of which were singles. Vaughn Grissom had two of them, while he also recorded a walk. That was one of seven worked by Red Sox hitters.
Columbus, which leads the second-half standings in the International League, secured a win, as did Indianapolis, which hurts Worcester's playoff hopes. The Red Sox are now 1/2-game behind Indianapolis, who have won six straight, and 3.5 away from Columbus.
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A trio of arms handled the pitching duties for Portland, divided relatively evenly. David Sandlin got the start and pitched the first three innings. He scattered a hit and a walk, striking out three over his shutout appearance. Juan Daniel Encarnacion followed and one run came across as he dealt with more traffic over his 3 2/3-inning stint, allowing a pair of hits and free passes each, though he did record four punchouts. The final seven outs went to Gabriel Jackson, who allowed a run each in the eighth and ninth, though the one in the eighth was unearned. The Rumble Ponies got three hits off Jackson and worked a walk, though he did get a trio of strikeouts.
Portland is a half-game back of Somerset with just two games left in the regular season.
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Player of the Day: The long ball is great. Even though Alex Binelas' eighth home run of the season was of the solo variety, he added a two-run double to knock in half of his team's runs in a key win as Portland tries to overtake Somerset on the final weekend of the season. The 2021 third-round pick by Milwaukee hit his first home run since August 29 and has plus-to-better raw power, but he hasn't been able to tap into that in games because of his hit tool, which has been lacking.
Photo Credit: Alex Binelas by Kelly O'Connor