Cup of Coffee: Cespedes goes deep, Semerite has big day
7/12 Cup of Coffee: For the second consecutive day, it was just the two Dominican League teams in action for the Red Sox minor league system. Yoeilin Cespedes had another big game for the Blue squad, while the Red team enjoyed a few good outings on the mound despite the loss. Moises Semerite (pictured) added a big offensive day as well.
-----
Yoeilin Cespedes continues to impress, as he went 2 for 5 in this one with his fourth home run of the season. He’s now hitting .342 with a .921 OPS. Starlyn Nunez had a nice day too, going 3 for 5 with a run scored. Moises Semerite added a double, a triple, and three RBI. Frederick Jimenez drew three walks, stole a base, and scored three times. Jhoan Solarte contributed a run-scoring triple as well. Obed Balderas struggled in his start, allowing seven runs (three earned) on six hits over 3 1/3 innings. He struck out one and did not issue a free pass. Cesar Ruiz pitched well out of the bullpen, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings with a strikeout and no walks.
-----
Luis Jerez started this one off well for the Sox, pitching the first four innings and surrendering just one run on only two hits. He struck out four and walked a pair. Breilin Arredondo pitched three innings of one-run ball, while Marcos Almanzar struck out three and did not walk anybody in his lone inning of work. At the plate, Jose Liriano and Gerardo Rodriguez each went 2 for 4 with an RBI, with Liriano roping his fourth double of the season. Jancel Santana went 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored from the top of the order, while Yohander Linarez reached twice with a single and a walk.
-----
Player of the Day: Moises Semerite gets the honor with a pair of extra-base hits and three runs driven in. Just 17 years old, Semerite was an international free agent signing by Boston out of the Dominican Republic back in January 2023. He is hitting .260 with a .389 OBP and seven stolen bases so far this season. Semeite was born on May 31, 2006, a day in which David Ortiz belted the 15th home run of his record-setting 54-home run season.