July 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Tolle, Fajardo go five strong; Campbell homers for Worcester
-----
It was a rough night for the Worcester pitching staff. Starter Robert Stock went just two innings and allowed six earned runs on six hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. While Hobie Harris retired the only two batters he faced, Jose De Leon, Bryan Mata, and Alex Hoppe combined to surrender eight earned runs over 5 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. At the plate, Nathan Hickey paced the lineup by going 3 for 4 with two doubles and one RBI. Jhostynxon Garcia, Vaughn Grissom, and Trayce Thompson all had multiple hits as well. Garcia went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one walk. Grissom went 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Thompson went 2 for 3 with two doubles, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Kristian Campbell crushed a three-run shot in the fifth inning for his first homer since being optioned late last month.
-----
Payton Tolle went five innings in his second start for Portland, allowing one earned run on four hits, one walk, one hit by pitch, and five strikeouts. The 22-year-old lefty threw 64 pitches (45 strikes) and generated 14 whiffs. Noah Song and Yovanny Cruz both tossed two scoreless frames of relief, while Jonathan Brand surrendered two runs (one earned) in the 10th and took the loss as a result. Offensively, Mikey Romero drove in his side's lone run on a sixth-inning RBI double. Caden Rose, who scored that run, went 2 for 4 with two doubles and an outfield assist. Zach Ehrhard also doubled as part of a 2-for-4 day.
-----
Brandon Clarke went 2 2/3 innings in his latest start for Greenville, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits, three walks, two hit by pitches, and three strikeouts. Erik Rivera received the bulk of the work out of the bullpen and surrendered five earned runs on five hits (including a grand slam) over three innings. Adam Smith followed by fanning four across 3 1/3 frames of one-run ball. Antonio Anderson led the way offensively by going 2 for 5 with one double, two RBIs, and one run scored. Nazzan Zanetello also doubled and scored one run as part of a 2-for-4 night in which he drew one walk. Justin Riemer went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one stolen base. Yophery Rodriguez drove in two runs, while Nelly Taylor and Johanfran Garcia combined for two runs, one RBI, and five walks.
-----
Devin Futrell took the loss in his latest start for Salem, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, two walks, and two strikeouts over four innings. The 22-year-old lefty threw 56 pitches (39 strikes) and generated eight whiffs. Jay Allmer followed with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen. At the plate, Enddy Azocar doubled for his side's only extra-base hit. Justin Gonzales singled and stole his 10th base of the season as part of a 1-for-3 performance.
Yhoiker Fajardo put together his best start for Salem to date, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out five over five scoreless innings. The 18-year-old right-hander threw 64 pitches (41 strikes) and generated 11 whiffs. Fellow righty Calvin Bickerstaff picked up the win by striking out five across three more scoreless frames of relief. Offensively, Andruw Musett proved to be the difference-maker, as he went 3 for 4 with a go-ahead RBI single with two outs in the top of the eighth. Yohander Linarez, who scored on Musett's clutch hit, went 1 for 3. Starlyn Nunez doubled for his only hit.
-----
Juan Henriquez went 3 1/3 innings in his first start for the FCL squad, allowing one earned run on four hits, three walks, and one strikeout. Yoandys Veraza and Jeison Payano each gave up one run out of the bullpen. At the plate, D'Angelo Ortiz, Ilan Fernandez, and Jhoan Peguero accounted for their side's only three hits. Tavano Baker scored his side's lone run on a throwing error, while Peguero stole two bases to bring his season total up to 13.
-----
Oscar Vaamonde put together a strong start for the Blue squad, allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out three over four scoreless innings. Jainer Almanza was solid out of the bullpen, yielding two runs (one earned) on one hit, one walk, and three strikeouts across 4 2/3 innings of relief to notch the first win of his professional career. Maikol Tovar led the way offensively by going 2 for 3 with two RBIs, one run scored, and one walk. Edwin Darville also plated two runs, while Hector Ramos and Vladimir Asencio each drove in one. Eliezer Alfonzo scored one run, drew two walks, and stole his 17th base of the year.
-----
Alexander Alzi paced the Red squad's lineup, going 3 for 3 with two RBIs and one run scored. Luis Aular went 2 for 4 with one double, one RBI, two runs scored, and one walk. Dorian Soto also doubled and drew one walk as part of a 2-for-5 showing in which he scored two runs. Franklin Primera drove in three runs, scored one run, and drew three walks in the process of going 1 for 3. Gustavo Antunez and Geomaikel Martinez both had RBIs as well. Givian Sirvania scored two runs, drew one walk, and stole one base. On the mound, Williams Montero went four innings in his latest start, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits, no walks, one hit by pitch, and one strikeout. Ericskon Ettien notched his first professional win out of the bullpen, while Felix Belisario secured the save with a scoreless ninth.
-----
Player of the Day: Payton Tolle gets the nod for putting together yet another impressive outing for Portland. In three appearances (two starts) since being bumped up from Greenville in late June, the Texas Christian product has posted a 1.93 ERA with 22 strikeouts to just three walks over 14 innings in which opponents have batted .152 against him. Following our latest update, he is now ranked as the top pitching prospect (No. 3 overall) in the organization.
Photo Credit: Payton Tolle by Kelly O'Connor