By Darryl Harding Sr –
In the fourth of five in this Worcester Red Sox homestand, they faced the Buffalo Bison on a dreary overcast day. RHP Van Belle started on the mound for the Sox. Initially having some difficulty locating the strike zone, Van Belle walked first batter Spencer Horwitz, who eventually came around to score.
Quickly recovering, Van Belle struck out Damiano Palmegiani as Addison Barger was caught stealing second. A one, two, three inning at bat led to more problems for Van Belle. A Payton Henry blooper single, followed by hits from Luis De Los Santos and Steward Berroa, scored Henry and worsened the Sox deficit.
After a series of walks Los Santos also crossed home plate leaving Worcester down 3-0. RHP Dallas, starting for Buffalo, managed to wriggle out of a bases loaded bottom of the second only to give up six runs off five hits in the third and relinquish the Bison lead to 6-3.
Van Belle allowed two more runs before being relieved by RHP Hagenman. Van Belle finished with four strikeouts and 79 pitches thrown. Desperately attempting to maintain an advantage, Hagenman gave up a two run homer to Will Robertson. For Buffalo in relief came RHP Quinones, who held the Sox at six runs scored.
The top of the sixth spelled disappointment for reliever Joe Jaques, letting up three runs, including one on a balk. Down 10-6 is where the score remained until finish.
“We didn’t throw enough strikes today,” said WooSox manager Chad Tracy, “That’s where the lead left us and started to separate.”
WooSox will wrap up the series with the Buffalo Bison tomorrow at 1 p.m.