Bryan Mata makes another rehab start; Marcelo Mayer hits a league-leading 17th double in 10-1 loss
The Portland Sea Dogs dropped a morning game with the Hartford Yard Goats 10-1 at Hadlock Field.
Red Sox pitcher Bryan Mata made his third rehab start as he continues to come back from a hamstring injury sustained during spring training.
Mata went three innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out two and not issuing a walk.
All the damage off of Mata came in the third inning with two outs. After striking out the leadoff hitter, Ronaiker Palma, and getting Nic Kent to ground out to first base, the Yard Goats started to make contact off a tiring Mata.
Adael Amador singles on a line drive to center field and then steals his 16th bag of the season. After hitting the next batter, Ryan Ritter singled a line drive to center field, scoring the first run of the game. Yanquiel Fernandez singled home two more runs and was tagged out at third, trying to stretch it to a triple.
Mata is currently being stretched out, but it appears to better suit him in a bulk-innings role versus being a starter.
“You can always cut him short later on,” manager Alex Cora said on Monday to reporters while in Tampa. “So we’ll stretch him out like everybody else and see where we’re at whenever we have to make a decision.”
If the Red Sox make the decision to add Mata to the 26-man roster once his 30-day rehab window ends, it will be the first time he will pitch in the majors. The Red Sox have to either activate him or designate the righty for assignment because Mata is out of minor league options.
Top infield prospect Marcelo Mayer hit his minor league-leading 17th double of the year in the bottom of the third inning. Mayer would finish the afternoon 1-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts.
The California native has been having a strong season, looking like one of the top prospects the Red Sox drafted in 2021. Prior to Thursday’s game, Mayer owned a professional-best 21.5% strikeout percentage and a 135 wRC+.
Through 39 games, Mayer is slashing .302/.347/.828 with four homers, 17 doubles, 21 RBI, and nine stolen bases. Mayer has been producing at the plate, continues to make noise, and looks poised for a promotion to Triple-A Worcester in the near future.
