IL Worcester Red Sox

Hamilton Homers Again, Clippers Erupt to Beat WooSox

Published on April 12, 2023 under International League (IL)
Worcester Red Sox News Release


WORCESTER, M.A. - The Worcester Red Sox (5-5) lost their fourth in a row on Wednesday night, a 10-5 loss against the Columbus Clippers (5-6) at Polar Park.

The WooSox jumped out to an early lead, plating two in the second. Caleb Hamilton opened the scoring with an RBI groundout, and one batter later, Nick Sogard doubled home Niko Goodrum. The swing marked Sogard's first RBI of the season; the 25-year-old drove in 43 runs between Double-A Portland and Worcester in 2022.

In the third, David Hamilton continued his blistering start to the season with a solo home run to right, his third long ball in eight games to start his Triple-A career.

WooSox starter Bryan Mata worked a scoreless first three innings and reached 100 miles-per-hour with his fastball, but ran in to trouble in the fourth. The right-hander hit the first three batters he saw-after a Richie Palacios sac-fly put Columbus on the board, Mata hit Tyler Freeman with his final pitch of the night. Jake Faria entered in relief, and Guardians' number four prospect Bo Naylor changed the game with one swing, lifting a grand slam to right to make it 5-3 Clippers.

The homer closed Mata's line for the night: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 4 HBP on 81 pitches (45 strikes).

From there, Columbus' offense took over-in the sixth, Palacios cracked a two-run shot to right-center off Jake Faria. After Worcester went to the bullpen, Zack Collins went deep for the second time in the series, this time a solo shot against Cam Booser.

But the WooSox' bats responded in the bottom of the frame. Sogard doubled, Jarren Duran walked and after a groundout, Jorge Alfaro cut the deficit to 8-4 with a sac-fly. Enmanuel Valdez followed with an RBI hit for the second straight night, a double to score Duran for the home team's final run of the night.

Palacios made it a five RBI day with a two-run double in the top of the ninth, as Worcester dropped to .500 for the first time since April 1.

The WooSox continue the six-game series at Polar Park on Thursday at 6:45 p.m. against the Columbus Clippers. It marks the first-ever Throwback Thursday at Polar Park featuring an appearance by Red Sox 2004 World Series champion Orlando Cabrera, who will greet fans in the Sherwood's Diner during the game. On the mound, Chris Murphy (0-0, 5.40) faces Tanner Bibee (1-0, 0.00). Television coverage is live on NESN+, while radio coverage is live at 6:25 p.m. on 98.9 Nash Icon and the WooSox Radio Network.

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International League Stories from April 12, 2023


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