Late Rally Falls Short as WooSox Lose to Clippers, 7-6

WORCESTER, MA –– The Worcester Red Sox (33-39) rallied for four runs in the ninth inning, but fall short to the Columbus Clippers (31-40), losing game three of their six-game series at Polar Park by a final score of 7-6.

Wilyer Abreu continued his rehab assignment with Worcester on Thursday night, playing in his third game in as many days. The 24-year-old batted second and was the designated hitter, going 1-for-3 with a run scored.

The first inning saw some excellent defense from both teams. In the top half of the frame, Jhonkensy Noel slammed a ball to deep center, but WooSox centerfielder Mark Contreras ranged back to make a leaping catch as he crashed into 403-foot sign that saved a run. In the bottom half of the first, Abreu blooped a ball into shallow left field that looked destined to fall. But, Clippers third baseman Christian Cairo made an over the shoulder catch––reminiscent of Willie Mays––to rob Abreu.

After nearly scoring in the first, Columbus pushed across the first run of the game in the following inning. With one out, Myles Straw drew a walk and proceeded to steal second base––the Clippers’ third in two innings––before Bryan Lavastida singled to left to score him.

In the third inning, WooSox starter Jason Alexander recorded two outs on four pitches before Columbus added another run. Following a hit by pitch, Noel drilled a 110.5 mph RBI double to right, making it a 2-0 Clippers lead.

Alexander would stay in the game to throw two more innings, finishing with a line of 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. The outing continued an excellent stretch to begin the month of June for the right-hander, who has struck out 12 batters in 16 innings while allowing just two earned runs.

Heading into the bottom of the sixth, Columbus maintained their two-run advantage. To begin the inning, the WooSox loaded the bases with nobody out on a walk, hit, and hit by pitch. With a golden opportunity for Worcester, Nick Yorke stepped up to the plate. Down in the count 0-2, the WooSox second baseman grounded a ball to short that turned into a double play, but the WooSox scored a run. With two outs, Nathan Hickey picked up Yorke by ripping an RBI single to center to knot the game up at two.

However, the tie did not last long. After a single and double, José Tena’s sacrifice fly put Columbus on top 3-2. After a scoreless seventh for Worcester, the rain began to fall, leading to a 41-minute rain delay before play resumed in the bottom of the eighth.

As the WooSox returned to the plate, Columbus pitchers Andrew Walters and Erik Sabrowski walked the bases loaded with two outs. Coming off a 2-for-3 night where he drove in five runs, Jamie Westbrook looked to play hero, but struck out to end the inning. Entering the ninth, Columbus held onto a one-run lead.

Ryan Zeferjahn entered on the mound for Worcester to begin the final frame, trying to keep the game within reach. The Clippers offense, though, struck for four runs on two walks and three hits, extending their lead to five. Down to their last three outs, Worcester trailed, 7-2.

As the rain began to come down again, the WooSox put together a late rally. With two outs, three consecutive singles from Contreras, Chase Meidroth, and Niko Kavadas produced a run. Nick Sogard followed with a two-run double to left-center, bringing the tying run to the plate. With another chance at a big hit, Yorke came through with an RBI single to score Sogard. Representing the winning run, Nathan Hickey grounded the ball sharply to second to end the game.

Despite the ninth-inning, two-out rally, the WooSox dropped game three of their series with the Clippers, 7-6.

Worcester and Columbus will continue their six-game set at 6:45 p.m. on Friday night at Polar Park. Cooper Criswell (0-1, 0.87 in AAA) makes his return to the WooSox spending two months pitching for Boston. With the big league club, Criswell appeared in 12 games (11 starts) and went 3-3 with a 4.15 ERA. Opposing the WooSox right-hander will be Connor Gillispie (2-6, 4.55). The game will be broadcasted live on NESN+ and radio coverage begins at 6:25 p.m. on 98.9 Nash Icon and the WooSox Radio Network.