Cup of Coffee: Arias, Bleis go deep, Campbell extends hitting steak

7/31 Cup of Coffee: Kristian Campbell stayed hot for Worcester despite their extra-inning loss. Nick Sogard also had a big game for the WooSox, who got a few great pitching performances as well. Max Ferguson and Jeremy Wu-Yelland shined for Portland in their loss, while Franklin Arias and Miguel Bleis each hit home runs for Greenville. Ben Hansen (pictured) also delivered a tremendous outing for Salem. 

 

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The Sox bats did not get much going against one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, Andrew Painter. Their only run off him came in the fifth inning when Kristian Campbell lined an RBI single to score Tyler McDonough, who led off the frame with a double. Campbell, who also drew two walks, now has a 10-game hitting streak and has his Triple-A OPS up to .841. Nick Sogard had a productive day out of the leadoff spot, going 3 for 4 with a double, a walk, and a stolen base. Blaze Jordan was 3 for 5 with an RBI single, while Nathan Hickey was 2 for 5 with an RBI single. Wyatt Mills went the first 2 1/3 innings on the mound and dominated, allowing no runs with six strikeouts and no walks. Wyatt Olds followed and allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings on two hits and three walks, but he did strikeout four. Bryan Mata tossed a solid 2 1/3 innings, giving up no runs on just one hit with two strikeouts. Hobie Harris fired a pair of shutout innings to go along with four strikeouts and just one walk. 

 

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Max Ferguson provided the offense for Portland, blasting a two-run home run in the seventh inning as part of his 1-for-4 night. For Ferguson, it was his second straight night with a home run and his seventh overall on the season. Ronald Rosario reached twice by going 1 for 3 with a single and a walk. Allan Castro drew a pair of walks and stole his 11th bag of the year. Eduardo Rivera took the loss, surrendering two runs on three hits over 4 1/3 innings. He punched out five and issued three walks. Noah Song struggled in his 2 1/3 innings of work, allowing four runs on six hits without a strikeout. Jeremy Wu-Yelland was terrific, throwing 2 1/3 no-hit innings with five strikeouts and two walks. 

 

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The first three hitters in the Greenville lineup did most of the damage, as Franklin Arias, Miguel Bleis, and Nelly Taylor all went 2 for 5. Bleis doubled and belted his 13th home run in the ninth inning. Arias also crushed a two-run shot, his fifth home run of the season, while also adding a stolen base. Albert Feliz doubled, and Johanfran Garcia went 1 for 4 with an RBI double and a walk. John Holobetz picked up his fourth win of the season, tossing 5 1/3 innings and allowing four runs on seven hits. He struck out three and walked a pair. Manuel Medina earned the save with 3 2/3 shutout innings and only one hit allowed. He struck out three, walked one, and lowered his season ERA with Greenville to 1.83 in seven appearances. 

 

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Ben Hansen turned in one of the best outings of his season, as he fired 5 1/3 shutout innings with just four hits allowed, six strikeouts, and no walks. Joe Vogatsky followed with 2 1/3 scoreless frames of his own, surrendering just one hit and no walks with one strikeout. This was his fourth scoreless appearance in his last six outings. Eybersson Polanco took the loss, allowing a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth. Starlyn Nunez had the best offensive night for Salem, going 2 for 4 with a pair of two-baggers and a run scored. Justin Gonzales went 1 for 4 with a double, and Natanael Yuten singled and drew a walk. 

 

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Player of the Day: Ben Hansen finished at least five innings for the first time in his professional career. His six strikeouts were a career-high as well. Hansen was selected by the Sox last year in the 20th round out of BYU. He has a 5.53 ERA in 42 1/3 innings this season with 32 strikeouts.