July 25, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Criswell, Hickey step up in Worcester's doubleheader sweep
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Cooper Criswell picked up the win in Game 1, as he allowed just two hits and two walks over five scoreless innings in which he struck out six of the 18 batters he faced. He threw 87 pitches (52 strikes) and generated 10 whiffs. Fellow righties Hobie Harris and Isaiah Campbell combined for two additional scoreless frames out of the bullpen to see the shutout through to its completion. At the plate, Nathan Hickey made his impact felt by going 2 for 3 with a two-run blast for his 12th home run of the season. Kristian Campbell also crushed a solo shot for his second Triple-A homer of the year. Corey Rosier went 2 for 3 with an RBI double. Nate Eaton doubled, scored one run, stole one base, and drew one walk as part of a 1-for-3 showing.
Isaac Coffey got the start in Game 2 and went the first two innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, no walks, one hit by pitch, and four strikeouts before leaving with an apparent injury. Jovani Moran, Wyatt Mills, Alex Hoppe, and Jose Adames combined for five scoreless frames of relief. Blaze Jordan stepped up by going 2 for 3 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Hickey put the finishing touches on a productive night by going 1 for 3 with one double, two RBIs, and one run scored. Eaton and Tyler McDonough also drove in runs.
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A four-run sixth inning propelled Portland to a fourth straight win. Max Ferguson went 1 for 3 with one double, two RBIs, one run scored, and one walk. Ronald Rosario and Allan Castro both doubled in one run and scored another. James Tibbs III scored two runs and drew one walk. Ahbram Liendo and Drew Ehrhard each stole one base. On the mound, Dalton Rogers got the start and went 4 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits, three walks, and six strikeouts. He threw 80 pitches (49 strikes) and generated 14 whiffs. Caleb Bolden secured the victory out of the bullpen after yielding two earned runs on four hits, one walk, and three strikeouts over the final 4 1/3 innings.
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Zack Kelly began his rehab assignment in Greenville by striking out two and plunking another in a scoreless first inning. Michael Sansone received the bulk of the work out of the bullpen and was charged with the loss after surrendering two earned runs on six hits, no walks, and five strikeouts over four innings. He threw 66 pitches (51 strikes) and generated 15 whiffs. Erik Rivera gave up a solo homer to begin the top of the sixth, while Isaac Stebens retired all four batters he faced. Offensively, it was a quiet night for the Drive. Miguel Bleis accounted for half of his side's hits by going 2 for 4 with one double and one stolen base. Will Turner and Yophery Rodriguez also doubled.
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Joey Gartrell pitched well in his start for Salem, as he scattered two hits, no walks, and two hit by pitches while striking out a career-high of five over four scoreless innings. Nicolas De La Cruz, Joe Vogatsky, and Eybersson Polanco were hit hard out of the bullpen, though Yohander Linarez (a natural infielder) struck out the lone batter he faced in his first professional pitching appearance. On the flip side, Justin Gonzales, Enddy Azocar, and Yosander Asencio put together multi-hit performances. Gonzales went 2 for 5 with two singles, Azocar went 2 for 3 with one triple, one run scored, and one walk, and Asencio went 2 for 3 with one stolen base and one walk. Kleyver Salazar drove in one run and scored another, while Yoeilin Cespedes doubled for his only hit, and D'Angelo Ortiz went 1 for 4 in his Low-A debut.
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The FCL Red Sox dropped their season finale in extras to finish with a 25-34 record. Rehabbing righty Alex Bouchard got the start and went 1 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits, two walks, one hit by pitch, and one strikeout. Dalvinson Reyes, Wuilliams Rodriguez, Juan Henriquez, and Diego Viloria (who was the starting DH) combined to surrender eight additional runs (five earned) out of the bullpen. At the plate, Tavano Baker went 1 for 3 with one double, two RBIs, one stolen base, and two walks. Liosward Marin also doubled and drove in one run on his only hit of the day. Efren Teran went 1 for 3 with one RBI, two runs scored, and three walks. Jesus Lugo plated three runs, scored another, and stole one base. Avinson Pinto had two RBIs and one walk, while Yan Cruz and Ilan Fernandez accounted for five runs and four stolen bases between them.
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Oscar Vaamonde put together an impressive outing for the Blue squad, as he scattered one hit, three walks, and one hit by pitch while striking out a career-high of eight over four scoreless innings. Alexander Heredia, Jainer Almanza, and Ranci Castillo surrendered six earned runs out of the bullpen. Offensively, Christopher Alvarado stood out by going 3 for 4 with two RBIs, one walk, and one stolen base. Louis Andujar went 2 for 4 with one RBI, two runs scored, and one stolen base. Edwin Darville, who drew three walks and scored one run, and Stiven De La Cruz, who plated one run and scored another, each had two hits. Harold Rivas recorded an RBI double and scored one run. Eliezer Alfonzo and Enmanuel Figuereo drove in runs as well.
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Williams Montero enjoyed a strong day on the mound for the Red squad, yielding just one earned run on two hits, two walks, and one strikeout over a season-high five innings to notch his first professional win. Leosmar Perez and Allan Griman combined to allow two additional earned runs in four innings of relief. Jhorman Bravo led the way offensively by going 2 for 5 with one RBI. Kevin Morillo doubled, drove in one run, and scored twice as part of a 1-for-4 showing. Luis Aular and Miguel Welch recorded RBIs as well, while Dorian Soto singled and drew one walk.
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Player of the Day: Between Games 1 and 2 of Thursday's doubleheader, Nathan Hickey went 3 for 6 with one double, one home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored. The 25-year-old catcher/first baseman is now riding a seven-game hitting streak and is slashing .280/.339/.460 with two homers and nine RBIs in 14 games for Worcester this month.
Photo Credit: Nathan Hickey by Kelly O'Connor