By Tiffany Williams –
Wednesday morning brought energy and anticipation to Worcester’s Canal District as the Red Sox hosted the Rochester Red Wings for Game two of a pivotal six-game homestand. With a commanding 9-1 victory, Worcester improved their homestand record to 2-0, launched their June campaign by winning three straight, and secured six wins in their last ten games, showcasing a good start to the month.
Starting pitcher Brian Van Belle set a dominant tone for the game with an impressive seven-inning performance. He demonstrated remarkable efficiency, throwing 83 pitches, 56 of which were strikes, while allowing just one run on five hits and notching five strikeouts. Van Belle consistently worked ahead in counts, effectively controlling the tempo and keeping the opposing hitters off balance with a mix of pitches.
In relief, Zach Penrod took the mound and, despite allowing three hits in 1.2 innings, effectively minimized the potential damage while striking out two batters—demonstrating composure under pressure. Closer Jose Adames emphatically shut the door on Rochester’s hopes, needing only three pitches—each a strike—to strike out Andrew Pinckney, culminating the game with a wicked 98.5 mph sinker that left Pinckney swinging.
The scoring began in the bottom of the first inning, when Nate Eaton, who was optioned from Boston just the day before, made an immediate impact with a sharp ground ball single that brought Nick Sogard across the plate, making it 1-0. Following Eaton’s hit, Vaughn Grissom added to the lead with a single of his own. A perfectly executed double steal by Grissom and Eaton saw Worcester capitalize on a miscue, as catcher Brady Lindsly’s errant throw into left field allowed Eaton to scamper home, extending the lead to 3-0.
Blaze Jordan then stepped up and connected solidly with an 87.4 mph cutter from Seth Shuman, driving his second double of the season and scoring Grissom, bringing the tally to 4-0. The offense escalated in dramatic fashion when Nathan Hickey launched a majestic three-run homer—a 94.4 mph four-seam fastball also from Shuman—over the left field wall for his ninth home run of the season, widening the gap to 7-0.
As the game progressed into the bottom of the third, Blaze Jordan faced Shuman again. The first pitch—a 90.5 mph four-seam fastball—was called a ball. The second pitch, another four-seamer at 91.2 mph, was foul-tipped. On the third pitch, Jordan capitalized with precision, launching a 90.9 mph four-seam fastball for his first Triple-A homer at Polar Park this season, stretching Worcester’s lead to an impressive 8-0.
Throughout the game, Worcester’s pitchers remained steadfast, effectively silencing the Rochester bats and allowing only one run. The Red Wings finally touched the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning when Brady Lindsly stroked a hard line-drive single to left. Nate Eaton, in his defensive role, was unable to prevent Andrew Pinckney from scoring, bringing the game to 8-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Vaughn Grissom faced Shuman again. The first pitch was a 92.9 mph four-seam fastball called a strike, while the second—a cutter at 86.3 mph—was ruled a ball. Grissom made sure the third pitch counted, connecting with an 85.8 mph cutter for his fourth homer of the season, further extending Worcester’s lead to 9-1 and capstone a strong offensive showing.