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IL Worcester Red Sox

Kavadas and Dalbec Homer, Stripers Rally for Walk-off Win

September 9, 2023 - International League (IL)
Worcester Red Sox News Release


LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Despite being no-hit for the first six innings, the Worcester Red Sox (34-27, 73-63) rallied to take a late lead, but the Gwinnett Stripers (31-29, 64-71) walked it off for the second time in the series, taking game five by a 3-2 final on Saturday night at Coolray Field.

The WooSox were held hitless by Beau Burrows and Alan Rangel through six innings, but Bobby Dalbec broke up the no-hit bid with a line-drive single to lead off the seventh.

The game's first run scored on a check-swing single off the bat of Andrew Velazquez with two outs in the bottom of the seventh that brought in Yolmer Sanchez.

But the WooSox responded immediately in the eighth. Niko Kavadas belted a lead-off homer off left-hander Adam Kolaerk to tie the game. It was Kavadas's second home run off a left-handed pitcher in the series.

In the ninth, Dalbec hit a 3-2 pitch from Kolarek over the right-center field fence to give the WooSox a 2-1 lead. It was Dalbec's 33rd home run of the season, tying him with Luken Baker of the Memphis Redbirds for the International League lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Luis Guerrero walked the first four batters he faced, the latter of which brought in the tying run. After Andrew Velazquez grounded into a fielder's choice that prevented the game-winning run from scoring, Dalton Guthrie hit a walk-off single to hand Worcester its third straight loss.

Corey Kluber made the start on a rehab assignment. The right-hander tossed one scheduled inning and retired the side in order. Kluber threw 13 pitches and recorded two groundouts and a strikeout.

Andres Nunez followed Kluber, and Nunez tossed 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out a pair. Justin Hagenman came on after Nunez and allowed only two hits over 2.2 shutout innings.

Five of Worcester's last six games have been decided by one run. The WooSox are now 20-23 in one-run games.

There was a one-hour and ten-minute rain delay after the first inning concluded.

The WooSox wrap up their six-game series with the Stripers tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. Left-hander Rio Gomez is the scheduled starter for Worcester. Radio coverage begins at 12:45 p.m. on 98.9 Nash Icon and the rest of the WooSox Radio Network.

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