Cup of Coffee: Ehrlicher unhittable in Salem loss

6/16 Cup of Coffee: Between the sweep of the Yankees and the team trading a homegrown superstar for the second time in five years, one might have fallen behind on the in-game action of Boston's minor league affiliates. Loyal reader, the SoxProspects.com Cup of Coffee is here to catch you up. The lone victory of the day came from the Greenville Drive, as a Nelly Taylor homer highlighted a march of 20 baserunners. Austin Ehrlicher (pictured) went five no-hit innings for Salem, but the Sox dropped the come-from-behind loss. Worcester had a front-row seat for one of baseball's top pitching prospects, who showed off why he is so well regarded, while Portland squandered a solid Dalton Rogers start. 

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The WooSox were stymied by Phillies phenom Andrew Painter. A second-inning single by Nathan Hickey notched the only hit in five innings against the starter. A home run from Seby Zavala in the eighth spoiled the shutout bid, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Blaze Jordan was held hitless but did convert an unassisted double play in the third inning, helping to preserve a scoreless tie. Starter Cooper Criswell went four scoreless innings, surrendering three hits, walking three, and striking out two. Zach Penrod took the loss, allowing two runs in the fifth. Penrod was designated for assignment later in the day, necessitated by the 40-man roster additions from That Trade.

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Portland dropped the decisive game of its seven-game set with Somerset in which neither team won consecutive games. Dalton Rogers took the loss despite a solid outing, allowing two runs on five hits in five innings, striking out seven against two walks. Noah Song struck out three and allowed just one hit in two scoreless innings of relief. The offense got very little going against a quintet of Patriot pitchers. Allan Castro reached base three times, going 1 for 2 with a pair of walks. Zack Ehrhard was 1 for 4 with a double, driving in the lone Portland run. Luis Ravelo also doubled for the Sea Dogs.

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The Drive took advantage of some Renegade wildness, drawing 11 walks to supplement their nine base hits. Nazzan Zanetello and Johanfran Garcia had three walks apiece. Nelly Taylor blasted his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot in the eighth inning. Miguel Bleis singled twice and stole a base, while Brooks Brannon drove in a pair of runs as part of his two-hit afternoon. Starter Noah Dean went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, striking out three. Control continues to be a struggle for Dean, as he walked three batters and hit another two. Danny Kirwin got the win, allowing one run on two hits in 2 1/3. Isaac Stebens went two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out one without issuing a walk. 

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The reeling Salem squad lost its third straight and for the 12th time in 16 games. The Sox squandered a fantastic outing by Austin Ehrlicher, who went five hitless innings, striking out seven while walking only one. Ehrlicher threw 47 of his 68 pitches for strikes and departed with a 2-0 lead. Joe Vogatsky took the loss, giving up three runs in 1 2/3. Enddy Azocar led the way at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. The effort snapped Azocar's 2-for-28 skid. Yohander Linarez scored two runs as part of his 2-for-4 effort, and Fraymi De Leon was also 2 for 4, picking up a double and an RBI. 

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Player of the Day:  It was a career-best effort for right-hander Austin Ehrlicher. Entering the day, the 6-foot-5 Ehrlicher's longest outing as a pro had been 3 1/3 frames, but he went five full on Sunday without allowing a hit. His seven strikeouts were also a career high, giving him 35 in 28 innings on the year. Ehrlicher was taken in the 18th round of the 2022 draft, the first draft-and-follow pick by Boston since the rule was reintroduced. He missed nearly all of 2024 with shoulder inflammation but has not missed a turn in 2025.