And the Sea Dogs slug their way to 14 runs.
Columbus Clippers 2, Worcester Red Sox 1 (BOX)
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On another cold day, the bats were cold all around in Worcester on Thursday in a 2-1 loss for the Woo Sox against Columbus (CLE). Despite having many starts from rehabbing major league pitchers and multiple top MLB prospect hitters, the team has started with just a 4-7 record on the young season.
Liam Hendriks was the “opener” on the first appearance of his rehab assignment, striking out three and allowing a hit in one inning. Michael Fulmer was the “bulk” guy, throwing four innings and allowing two runs with five strikeouts, getting the loss. Brian Van Belle and Nick Burdi also pitched well.
The bats pushed across the sole run in the ninth inning on a Nate Eaton single, scoring Vaughn Grissom. Grissom was on twice and is slashing .297/.366/.459, through ten games. Roman Anthony was 1-for-4; he’s hitting .176 in the early going but has also drawn ten walks.
The teams will play again on Friday, with Worcester’s starter TBD.
Portland Sea Dogs 14, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 3 (BOX)
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The Sea Dogs picked up the slack for the rest of the affiliates on Thursday, slugging their way to 14 runs on 11 hits. Portland was up 9-0 after three innings in this one, jumping all over Fisher Cats starter CJ Van Eyk, and capped by DH Ronald Rosario’s three run homer in the third. Right fielder Corey Rosier had two hits and three RBI to power the offense as well.
Tyler Uberstine drew the start and fell just one out short of the victory, as he labored through the fourth and fifth innings, but did strike out eight in the outing. The win was awarded to Christopher Troye, who threw a shutout inning in relief.
The Sea Dogs are 5-1 and on Friday will send David Sandlin (1-0, 3.60) to the bump at 6:00 ET.
Fredericksburg Nationals 7, Salem Red Sox 4 (BOX)
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Salem went ahead with three runs in the fifth in this one, highlighted by an RBI double by center fielder Kelvin Diaz, as well as an RBI from top Sox prospect Franklin Arias who is now 12-for-24 on the season.
Fifth-round pick Brandon Clarke made his debut, throwing four perfect innings to start the game while striking out five batters. Salem took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth, when Shea Sprague (13th round pick) also made his debut but struggled. He allowed a total of six runs (five earned) over 2 2/3 innings as Fredericksburg (WAS) stormed back for the 7-4 win.
Salem dropped to 4-2, sending Blake Aita (1-0, 0.00) to the mound on Friday at 7:05 ET.
Greenville Drive vs. Asheville Tourists (suspended)
Greenville will play a doubleheader on Friday night. The game was suspended on Thursday in the fourth inning, with the Drive ahead 3-0, thanks to three RBI from Miguel Bleis and three shutout innings from Noah Dean. It will begin at 5:05 ET, with all pitchers TBD after the restart.