By Tiffany Williams –
Thursday night in Worcester the WooSox and the Buffalo Bisons played a doubleheader at Polar Park in the Canal District. The WooSox took game one of the doubleheader 4-1 to grab their sixth straight win, but in game two Buffalo snapped Worcester’s winning streak with a 2-1 win.
In game one of two the WooSox made it a 0-2 game in the bottom of the first with Wilyer Abreu hitting a single and Bobby Dalbec scoring. Then Daniel Palka hit a single on a line drive to left fielder Davis Schneider, Wilyer Abreu scored.
Buffalo made it a 1-2 game at the top of the third with Davis Schneider scoring.
Bottom of the fourth, the WooSox got their third and fourth runs of the game with David Hamilton hitting a homer to right field and Narciso Crook scored.
Game two of two, Worcester played as the visiting team and Buffalo played as the home team. This game went scoreless on both sides until the top of the sixth when Greg Allen hit an RBI double and Jorge Alfaro scored to make it 1-0. But in the bottom of the seventh, Rafael Lantigua hit a double RBI and then made it to third on the throw, Cam Eden scored to make it a 1-1 game. Lantigua made it over the plate to get Buffalo their second run of the game and make it 1-2.
Following Thursday night’s doubleheader, WooSox Catcher Caleb Hamilton was asked about tonight’s game and he said, “Mata had a little hard time getting in the zone in the last couple innings. But I thought his stuff looked really good, he was using all four pitches really well. So I think it’s something for him to build on.”
When Hamilton was asked what are some things that Mata needs to work on, he said “Just controlling the strike zone. I think whenever he gets strike one, strike two it works to his benefit. Being a hitter and you get down 0-2 really early it’s a very uncomfortable feeling, and he has some of the most electric stuff I’ve seen. So the ability for him to throw strikes, pound the zone is what’s gonna separate him.”
Mata, following Thursday night’s doubleheader said he felt really good but until the third inning, he says, “My confidence went too high and then I started competing with all my pitches, I lost control of everything. When asked what are some things he felt like he needs to work on, Mata said “I just gotta keep doing my thing and keep working every day. Keep doing my thing and let things flow.”
Chad Tracy, following Thursday night’s game said “ We kind of survived game one a little bit. Mata obviously struggled a little bit with his command starting there in about the third inning, fourth inning. Looked good early and then really started to battle it but was able to get through four and left the game with the lead which is good. He made pitches with people on base and then we got some big swings late to create a little breathing room, turned it over to the pen and they did a great job.
Before the start of game two Thursday night, the WooSox recognized the National Alliance on Mental Illness as part of the Heart of Worcester ceremony. On the field representing NAMI was President Robin Bahr Casey, Vice President Joy Cummings, Events Coordinator Lien Doubleday, and Secretary Nancy Muszynski. The WooSox thanked NAMI for working to end the stigma surrounding mental health.
Thursday night was Star Wars Night at Polar Park and the WooSox welcomed characters from the star wars franchise to take over polar park. Fans at Polar Park had the opportunity to meet Darth Vader, Princess Leia, a Storm Trooper, a Clone Trooper, two Bounty Hunters, and a Rebel Pilot from the 501st New England Garrison and Alderaan.
The WooSox And Buffalo will meet again Friday Night at 6:45 for game four of six at Polar Park.
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