After a tough 11-2 road defeat against Buffalo earlier on Wednesday, the Worcester Red Sox wasted no time bouncing back. They showed their resilience and determination by splitting the doubleheader with a resounding 4-0 victory in the nightcap.
The Red Sox only compiled two runs on six combined hits during the first game. However, that wasn’t the case during round two, as Worcester recorded four runs and five hits to improve its record to 17-18.
Starting pitcher Chase Shugart led the charge for the Red Sox, who was in top form. He allowed three hits and struck out six in five shutout innings. Sal Romano also played a crucial role, earning the save with multiple scoreless innings to lower his impressive season ERA to 1.80.
Meanwhile, Buffalo starting pitcher Troy Watson suffered his first season loss on the opposing side by allowing one earned run, two walks, three hits, and struck out one through three innings of work.
Relievers Paxton Schultz (three) and Mason Fluharty (zero) surrendered the remaining three runs through the fourth and seventh innings as Buffalo moved to 20-15 on the season.
It didn’t take long for Worcester to get on the scoreboard, as Nick Sogard led off the bottom of the first with a home run to right-center field. Sogard’s second blast of the season ensured the Red Sox an early 1-0 lead.
The score remained that way, heading into the bottom four.
But Niko Kavadas quickly changed that with a two-run home run to right field and triple Worcester’s margin to 3-0. Kavadas’ seventh blast of the year traveled 352 feet and plated teammate Jamie Westbrook.
Ultimately, Eddy Alvarez scored on a sacrifice fly to center field from Nathan Hickey in the fifth inning to ensure the Red Sox remained ahead for good.
Worcester will look to stay on track as they continue its series against Buffalo on Thursday at 6:05 p.m.
