Valdez, Cordero Smack Homers in 5-1 WooSox Win
WORCESTER, M.A. — For the second straight night, the Worcester Red Sox’ (53-50) pitching led the way in a win over the Durham Bulls (56-47), a 5-1 victory on Friday night at Polar Park. Offensively, Franchy Cordero started the night with a bang, annihilating a leadoff home run over the
WORCESTER, M.A. — For the second straight night, the Worcester Red Sox’ (53-50) pitching led the way in a win over the Durham Bulls (56-47), a 5-1 victory on Friday night at Polar Park.
Offensively, Franchy Cordero started the night with a bang, annihilating a leadoff home run over the batter’s eye in the bottom of the first inning. The ball went 467 feet and left the bat at 112 miles-per-hour, the longest hit of Cordero’s 5-for-9 stretch since being optioned to Worcester earlier this week.
467 feet. 112 mph off the bat. Over the batter’s eye.
— Los Wepas de Worcester (@WooSox) August 5, 2022
Franchy got all of that. pic.twitter.com/GoPrZWYQlf
In the third, Enmanuel Valdez came to the plate with two on and launched his second homer in three days, an opposite-field blast that landed in a flower bed beneath the berm in left-center. In three games since joining the Sox organization in a trade with Houston, Valdez is 3-for-11 with two homers and five RBI.
2 home runs in 3 games for Enmanuel Valdez 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GfiLsgSRnE
— Los Wepas de Worcester (@WooSox) August 5, 2022
That was more than enough support for WooSox starter Chris Murphy (3-1), who went seven innings for the second time in his Triple-A career. The left-hander struck out five, allowing just a single run on six hits and four walks, earning the win.
Durham got its lone run against Murphy in the fourth on an RBI groundout from Grant Witherspoon.
In the seventh, Valdez drove home his second run of the day with a run-scoring groundout of his own.
James Norwood and Zack Kelly combined to close out the ballgame, each tossing a scoreless inning in the eighth and ninth, respectively.
The WooSox continue the series at Polar Park on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. against the Durham Bulls, affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. On the mound, Worcester's Connor Seabold (5-1, 2.26) faces Luis Patino (1-0, 2.89). Radio coverage is live at 3:45 p.m. on 98.9 Nash Icon and the WooSox Radio Network, while television coverage is on NESN+.