By Tiffany Williams –
The Worcester Red Sox on Saturday night hosted the Buffalo Bison in the Canal District for game five of their six-game homestand at Polar Park and were delivered a 9-7 losing blow at the top of the tenth.
Top of the first Dexter Fowler got the first run of the game for Buffalo to make it 1-0. In the bottom of the first Jarren Duran got the first run for Worcester to make it a 1-1 tie game. In the bottom of the second Worcester took the lead of this game with Duran first hitting his second triple of the season to drive in Yolmer Sanchez and then Triston hit a single to drive in Duran and make it a 1-3 Worcester lead. At the top of the fourth Logan Warmoth hit his sixth double of the season for Buffalo to drive in Groshans, Podkul and Berman to make it a 4-3 Buffalo game. In the bottom of the fourth Ronaldo Hernandez tied the game up 4-4 with a homer to center. At the top of the seventh Buffalo had two runs to take the lead by two (6-4) but at the bottom of the seventh a homer by Jeter Downs to drive in Duran tied the game up 6-6. The 8th and 9th inning both went scoreless to bring this game into the tenth inning and it was the Samad Taylor show. First Samad hit his fourth double of the season for Buffalo to drive in Dexter Fowler and Jordan Groshans. To add the icing on the cake Samad stole home to make it a 9-6 Buffalo lead. Ryan Fitzgerald hit a single to drive in Rob Refsnyder and make it a 9-7 Buffalo game.
In the tenth inning third base umpire Brian Walsh tossed Ryan Fitzgerald and Worcester Manager Chad Tracy. At second base there was a close force out play that looked like Samad Taylor’s foot came off the base reaching for the throw from Jordan Groshans. Walsh called Fitzgerald out and Fitzgerald showing his frustration with the call threw his helmet down and was ejected. Worcester Manager Chad Tracy who was coaching third base apparently shared Ryan Fitzgerald’s frustration and went over to argue with Walsh and he was tossed.
Saturday’s game five against Buffalo was the end of April, wrapping up the first month of baseball for the Worcester Red Sox which has been a series of ups and downs.
You have players that are extremely fun to watch and you can see more than just a glimmer of hope for their future. On the other hand, you see some players with some of the same issues that still loom large from last year and have you wondering why they’re playing in Triple-A and not sent down to double-A to bring some better opportunities up to Worcester. The smaller issues realized early by Worcester will show better results and more potential down the stretch.
The end of July and first half of August 2021 we got to see a sneak peek into who Ryan Fitzgerald was as a player and what game he could bring to Worcester with 42 at bats he had nine runs, eleven hits, two doubles, one triple, three homers, nine RBI and his batting average was .262. The addition of Ryan Fitzgerald to Worcester in 2022 has been paramount in many ways. You can write up 100 articles on Fitzgerald alone and the impact he makes every time he sets foot on the field.
Just as importantly, Yolmer Sanchez has stayed consistent and has earned an everyday spot in the Worcester lineup. Christin Stewart is proving to be a formidable piece that does belong on Worcester’s roster. Stewart has started slow but is getting there and has that mindset of a player who is hungry and focused.
Johan Mieses made some great plays to start the season but May will be interesting to see if he stays doing what he’s been doing, is he going to rise to another level of his game or will he slide backwards.
Connor Sabold’s performance in Worcester has been good. I don’t feel he’s knocking on the door of Boston but I do like Eduard Bazardo who is knocking on Boston’s door.
When you look at most teams in Triple-A ending April, most are on a rocky or dirt path while Worcester is definitely on a solid surface path with patience at the plate that has led to some solid offense that has been red hot to start the season. The box outlet media Gods will criticize me for saying this but making contact instead of going all-in on power on every batted ball can yield excellent results and Worcester’s new Manager Chad Tracy knows that.
NewsTalk New England 