August 13, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Arias hits go-ahead homer for Drive; Eaton drives in four runs
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After three quiet innings to begin the game, the WooSox started the scoring with a bang as Nate Eaton and Mikey Romero knocked back-to-back home runs in the fourth. Eaton delivered another huge hit for the WooSox in the ninth inning, driving a bases-clearing triple to put the game out of reach for the WooSox, as he recorded four RBIs in the game. Kristian Campbell was 3 for 5 with a double and he added an RBI single in the seventh. Nick Sogard was 1 for 3 with two walks out of the leadoff spot.
Tyler Uberstine threw 92 pitches over 5 1/3 innings for Worcester, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while punching out seven batters. Zack Kelly struck out three in 1 2/3 scoreless frames. David Sandlin struggled with his control out of the bullpen, walking three batters, but he escaped without allowing a run in 2/3 of an inning. Hobie Harris gave up a run and struck out two batters in 1 1/3 innings.
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Making his second start since returning from a lat strain, Blake Wehunt built up to three innings on Tuesday night. The 2023 ninth-rounder was impressive, allowing one run on a hit and a walk while striking out three batters. Jacob Webb struck out five batters through two innings but allowed two runs on three hits and two walks. Cooper Adams tossed three shutout innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out four. Reidis Sena picked up his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
Catcher Ronald Rosario led the charge for the Sea Dogs bats. He kicked off the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and then drilled a solo home run to put Portland ahead for good in the fifth, going 2 for 4 on the night. The Sea Dogs added some insurance on a pair of solo home runs off the bats of Ronaldo Hernandez and Karson Simas in the sixth inning. Allan Castro was 1 for 3 with a double and a walk.
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With the win on Tuesday night, Greenville pulled a game ahead of Hub City for the final South Atlantic League playoff spot. In the first start of a rehab assignment after missing nearly three months with left forearm inflammation, Shane Drohan threw the first two innings of the game. He struck out five batters but struggled his command as he walked three and allowed a run. Austin Ehrlicher tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, working around four walks and two hits. Erik Rivera finished the game with 2 1/3 shutout frames, striking out three and walking one batter without allowing a hit.
Franklin Arias delivered the key blow for the Drive, providing Greenville with all the offense they would need with a three-run homer in the third inning. He was 2 for 4 overall. Johanfran Garcia also added a solo home run in the eighth inning, his sixth of the season with the Drive. Second baseman Henry Godbout was 1 for 4.
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Salem had plenty of baserunners on Tuesday night, recording 10 hits, but they were unable to string together a rally as they fell in a low-scoring series opener in Fredericksburg. Justin Gonzales drove in Salem's only run of the night with a groundout in the ninth inning and went 2 for 5 on the night. Yoeilin Cespedes and Gerardo Rodriguez each went 2 for 4. Starting pitcher Ben Hansen worked around trouble to throw four solid innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks. Nicolas De La Cruz followed him with 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing a run and striking out four batters. Eybersson Polanco was electric in 2 1/3 innings to end the game, fanning six batters and allowing just a walk.
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Tuesday's game got off to an inauspicious start, as starting pitcher Juan Medina allowed six runs (five earned) before departing after 2/3 of an inning. However, the relief corps were excellent and the Blue team's lineup was able to complete the comeback in a thrilling win. Yomar De La Rosa tossed 3 1/3 shutout innings and was followed by a scoreless inning apiece for Jainer Almanza and Erickson Ettien. Ranci Castillo picked up the save, allowing a run in an inning. Jostin Ogando came through with the big hit, cracking a two-run go-ahead single in the top of the sixth. Ogando was 1 for 3 with a walk overall. Center fielder Harold Rivas, who ranks as the 32nd prospect in the organization, was 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
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It was a frustrating day all around for the Red team, as all but one pitcher was tagged for a run and the lineup pushed across only three runs despite 11 hits. Starting pitcher Robert Moreno worked through a scoreless first inning but the bullpen was hit hard after his departure. Jesus Martinez allowed a run in an inning and Jose Golindano gave up two runs and walked three batters in 2/3 of an inning. Felix Belisario was knocked around for four runs in 1 2/3 innings and Breylin Cruz lasted 2 2/3 innings but allowed three runs. Alexander Alzi got the scoring started with an RBI single in the first as part of a 3-for-4 day. That was the only run the Red team scored before Jhonny Osta and Krishan Ulacio delivered RBI singles in the sixth. Dorian Soto was 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored.
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Player of the Day: Nate Eaton finished a single short of the cycle in a monster game for the WooSox. He was 3 for 5 with a double, a triple, a home run, and four RBI. His triple was particularly critical in the Worcester win, as he drove in three critical insurance runs in the ninth inning. Eaton started at third base on Tuesday night but has played all over the diamond while hitting .284/.362/.474 in 89 games with the WooSox this season. Eaton has also gone 6 for 24 with three stolen bases in the major leagues this season and the versatile 28-year-old will fight for a September call-up opportunity in the coming weeks.
Photo Credit: Nate Eaton by Kelly O'Connor