WORCESTER — Pitcher Bryan Mata made a surprising return to the WooSox on Tuesday, marking the first time he’s been in game action in a little over a month since hitting the injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Mata was added to the WooSox roster on a rehab assignment on Tuesday and was thrown right into the action. He was limited to just three batters, throwing 17 pitches, striking out two and walking one. Mata logged three swings and misses in his short outing and his fastball topped out at 96 mph.
Mata’s 2024 season has been plagued by injuries. He initially landed on the IL with a hamstring injury, and dealt with shoulder and lat soreness during his rehab assignment. He came back to the WooSox in July with a deadline of July 31 looming which would force the Red Sox to either put him on the major-league roster or remove him from the 40-man roster. The Red Sox chose a third option, placing Mata on the 60-day injured list with elbow inflammation.
WooSox 11, Mets 4
Before getting into the previously-scheduled six games of this homestand, the WooSox had to finish off a suspended game against the Mets that took place in Syracuse on August 11. The game started in the top of the fifth with the WooSox at the plate with runners on first and second and nobody out. Tyler McDonough was the batter, one of the five WooSox players who were both in the original lineup and the lineup to start the resumption.
Kristian Campbell drove in the two runners left on base for almost a month with a two-out single to right. The WooSox added another run in the seventh thanks to three stolen bases (two from Corey Rosier, one from Campbell) and a Roman Anthony groundout. They really broke it open in the top of the ninth, plating six runs with Tyler McDonough and Tyler Heineman each coming through with a two-run double.
Brian Van Belle was excellent in relief, tossing 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and fanning four.
WooSox 8, Mets 4
Kyle Teel smacked his second Triple-A home run in the bottom of the fourth, driving in Roman Anthony. Teel scored three times in the nightcap.
Vaughn Grissom had a nice night, going 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. McDonough drove in another two runs and Anthony went 2-for-3 at the top of the lineup.
Quinn Priester was decent but not dominant, racking up seven strikeouts in four innings of work. He was touched for three runs on four hits but only one of those was earned.
Notes
The WooSox are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, though they’re on the outside looking in right now. Since MiLB returned after the COVID caused the 2020 season to be cancelled, the playoff format is much more restrictive than it was in the past. Four teams make the postseason in Triple A: the first-half winners and the second-half winners from the International League and the Pacific Coast League. The winners of the first and second half in each league will play to determine which two teams will compete for the championship.
The WooSox have been playing their best baseball of the season as of late, taking 5 of 6 in Rochester before sweeping Tuesday’s wonky doubleheader. However, they still sit a few games behind the Columbus Clippers, who came into Tuesday with a 40-22 record in the second half. The WooSox started the day 37-26.
“We’ve been winning a lot, so we’ll see if we can continue to play the way we’ve been playing,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. “We’re just taking those one game at a time and see what happens…it’s very, very doable and possible, but it’s going to take a lot.”
When asked how many games of the remaining 13 the WooSox would have to win to have a legitimate shot to take the top spot in the standings, Tracy knew that there was a lot of work to be done.
“How about all of them?” he said. “Assuming Columbus keeps playing the way they are, I really don’t know. I think at minimum nine, probably more. Probably 10.”
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Clubhouse favorite and veteran infielder/outfielder Eddy Alvarez was traded to the Mets over the weekend. Alvarez was coming off one of the best games of his career in which he cranked three home runs and drove in six runs. He’s already made an impact with the Mets’ major-league team, scoring the winning run in Monday night’s game.
“He’s a huge part of our team, not only on the field offensively and what he’s brought, but also his leadership,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. “So that part makes me sad that he’s not here, but ecstatic that he’s in the major leagues. The fact that somebody wanted him and thought highly enough of him and what he’s done here that they want that piece, that’s pretty cool. Good for him and his family for the last three weeks to be able to go up there and make some good money, so I’m way more happy than I am sad that he’s getting that opportunity.”
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With only five games at Polar Park remaining this season, the WooSox have special fan appreciation promotions planned for the remainder of the week.
On Thursday night, 2004 World Series champion Derek Lowe and former Red Sox INF/OF Steve Lyons will be on hand to sign autographs in the Sherwoods Diner during the game. The WooSox will also celebrate pop star Taylor Swift with a second “Sparks Fly” night featuring a pregame dance party.
On Saturday, the WooSox will host a “Summer Sendoff at Polar Park” for kids featuring a pre-game mascot parade. Sunday will see players sign autographs ahead of the 1:05 p.m. start along the warning track.
Finally, the first WooSox Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place ahead of Sunday’s game with Rich Gedman, EEd Augustus and the late Larry Lucchino being honored.
