By DJ Harding
The Worcester Red Soxs returned home after being on the road last week against the Buffalo Bisons. This last week represented the start of the second half of the season.
The Woo Sox had a record of 2-3 to start the second half of the season after winning the first two against Buffalo before losing the last three of the five game series.
The Syracuse Mets, the Woo Sox opponent of this six game homestand, have a record of 1-4 to start the second half of the season. That record of 1-4 puts them tied for last place in the International League East standings. Worcester only sat one game ahead of Syracuse going into tonight.
Kyle Barraclough took the mound for the Woo Sox and dominated through five innings allowing a no hitter up until that point. After walking a batter in the sixth, Barraclough finally gave up a hit which was a homerun.
Postgame Barraclough told me “ You can’t get mad at the one hit and it was a good performance overall.”
Barraclough threw for six total innings allowing one hit, two runs, and two walks. Barraclough struck out 10 batters in his six inning performance.
Through those six innings while Barraclough only allowed two runs the batting for Worcester scored six runs in those six innings.
Worcester opened up the scoring early with four runs in the first inning. The Woo Sox batted around the lineup going through all nine batters in the first.
With four singles, two walks, and a forceout Worcester took an early four run lead. Yu Chang, Pablo Reyes, Emmanuel Valdez, and Nick Sogard all came around to score.
Chang and Reyes were both in Worcester on rehab assignments. Yu Chang is on his second assignment in Worcester as he was previously here in early June. Chang went two for five.
Chang postgame said “It feels good out there and just ready to go back.”
Reyes is here in Worcester for the first time on a rehab assignment. Reyes went two for four with two hits, two runs, and a RBI. In the top of the seventh Reyes even hit a homerun.
Reyes told me pregame “ Just trying to get back.”
Reyes also commented on what keeps him motivated “My Family” Reyes remarked “When you have something to fight and live for you don’t take opportunities for granted.”
The Woo Sox held a 4-0 lead until the top of the sixth when Ronny Mauricio hit a two run homer to break up the no hitter and the shutout.
Worcester going into the bottom of the sixth were still up 4-2 but increased their lead when Narciso Crook hit a two run single.
Crook scored Wilyer Abreu and Nick Sogard, extending the lead to 6-2.
One inning later in the bottom of the seventh Pablo Reyes and Emmanuel Valdez hit back to back homeruns. The Woo Sox led 8-2
Mark Vietos hit a three run homer in the top of the eighth for the Mets closing the gap 8-5.
Worcester went on to win 8-5 now holding a record of 3-3 sitting at .500 to begin the second half of the season.
Syracuse has only won one game since the beginning of the second half.
Worcester led the six game series 1-0 and will look to win game two tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 6:45.