IL Worcester Red Sox

Power Show Leads WooSox to Fourth Straight Win against Mets

May 16, 2021 - International League (IL)
Worcester Red Sox News Release


WORCESTER, M.A. - In a series where the Worcester Red Sox (7-5) clubbed 12 home runs in six games, they hit three more to cruise to a 7-4 win over the Syracuse Mets (2-10) on Sunday.

The WooSox loaded the bases with two outs in the second, a threat started by a double to right-center from Marcus Wilson. Jett Bandy came to the plate against Syracuse starter Jesus Reyes after a hit-by-pitch, and on a 2-2 count, was plunked on his front leg. That scored Wilson and kept the bases loaded for Kiké Hernandez, on rehab assignment in Worcester for the weekend. The right-hander hunted the first pitch, stroking a 457 foot grand slam over the left-centerfield wall to make it 5-0 Worcester. Altogether, the WooSox plated five runs on two hits-including the first grand slam in Polar Park history-along with a walk and two hit batsmen.

The Mets got on the board half an inning later in the top of the third. Worcester starter Raynel Espinal walked Joneshwy Fargas to lead off the inning. Entering the day, Fargas was 4-4 on stolen base attempts, and with Mason Williams at the plate, he stole his fifth. Williams lined a 2-2 pitch through the right side, and Fargas came home for Syracuse's first run.

In the fifth, the Mets got two more back, a rally once again spurred by the speed of Fargas. The leadoff man singled, stole second and then stole third. After a walk from Williams, Wilfredo Tovar drove them both home on a double that nearly cleared the 408 foot mark in center-Tovar was thrown out trying to stretch the hit in to a triple, but the Worcester lead was 5-3 after five. Espinal exited and ultimately got the win, finishing his day at five innings with three runs allowed.

Marcus Walden entered in relief for the WooSox and posted his fifth straight scoreless outing to start the season. The right-hander has now thrown 6.2 innings with zero runs allowed after seeing time with the big league club over the last three years.

Hernandez was expected play seven innings on Sunday, and the rehabber came to the plate one final time in the seventh against Syracuse's A.J. Schugel. Hernandez worked the count to 3-2, then blasted another home run to left center. Jack Lopez came up next, and he took Schugel's 2-2 offering off the foul pole in left. It marked the second time this season the WooSox put up back-to-back homers, and the two solo shots extended the lead to 7-3.

Syracuse got one back in the eighth on an RBI groundout in the eighth versus Colten Brewer, but WooSox closer Kaleb Ort put together another scoreless ninth to close out the 7-4 victory. Ort, like Walden, has still not allowed a run this season over six innings of work.

After taking five of six against the Mets, the WooSox begin a six-game series at Polar Park on Tuesday against the Buffalo Bisons at 6:35 p.m, with television coverage live on NESN+. Radio coverage starts at 6:15 on 100 FM The Pike and the WooSox Radio Network. Buffalo's Alek Manoah (2-0, 0.00), Toronto's number five prospect per MLB.com, faces RHP Daniel Gossett (0-1, 6.75).

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