August 18, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Garcia debuts at 1B; Turner powers Greenville into first place
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Tyler Uberstine went 2 2/3 innings in his second start of the series for Worcester, allowing three earned runs on four hits, four walks, and one strikeout. Jose De Leon followed out of the bullpen and ended up taking the loss after surrendering three additional runs on four hits (including two home runs), no walks, and two strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings. David Sandlin gave up one unearned run on one hit in the sixth, while Nick Burdi and Chris Murphy combined for two scoreless frames of relief.
At the plate, Chadwick Tromp stood out by going 1 for 3 with three RBI on a two-run single and a sacrifice fly. Jhostynxon Garcia, who made his first professional start at first base on Sunday, also singled in one run and drew one walk as part of a 1-for-4 afternoon. David Hamilton scored one run and stole two bases out of the leadoff spot. Kristian Campbell (1 for 5) and Nate Eaton (2 for 4) each scored a run as well. Eaton was pulled from the game in the seventh inning and is en route to Boston ahead of a potential call-up on Monday, according to multiple reports.
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Hayden Mullins put together a strong start for Portland, allowing only one earned run on two hits, three walks, and seven strikeouts over six innings. He threw 77 pitches (47 strikes) and generated 12 whiffs. Zach Bryant and Yovanny Cruz combined for three scoreless frames of relief, while Jorge Juan took the loss after surrendering a go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the 10th. Offensively, Marvin Alcantara led the way by going 3 for 5 with two doubles and two RBIs. Juan Chacon drove in one run as part of a 2-for-4 showing. Max Ferguson and Caden Rose each scored one run and drew one walk.
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Four members of Greenville's lineup went deep in Sunday's series finale. Will Turner went 3 for 4 with a three-run home run, two runs scored, and one walk. Johanfran Garcia went 2 for 5 with a two-run blast and two runs scored. Freili Encarnacion went 1 for 4 with a two-run shot and two runs scored. Albert Feliz went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer and added another RBI when he drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh. Justin Riemer did not leave the yard, but he did go 2 for 3 with two walks. Franklin Arias and Juan Montero also drew two walks and scored one run each.
Shane Drohan got the start as he continued his rehab assignment with Greenville. The lefty went the first two innings, allowing one earned run on one hit (a solo home run), no walks, and three strikeouts. Fellow southpaws Michael Sansone and Noah Dean went the rest of the way. Sansone notched the winning decision in relief, yielding four runs (three earned) on six hits (including one homer), one walk, and five strikeouts over five innings. Dean gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth but held on to secure the victory.
With the win, Greenville improves to 25-23 in the second half and moves one game ahead of first-half winner Bowling Green (24-24) and Hub City (24-24) for first place in the South Atlantic League South division standings.
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Five members of Salem's lineup recorded multiple hits on Sunday. Natanael Yuten went 3 for 5 with one double, two runs scored, and one stolen base. Maximus Martin went 2 for 4 with two doubles, one RBI, one run scored, and one walk. Gerardo Rodriguez went 2 for 5 with a solo blast for his second home run of the season. Starlyn Nunez went 2 for 5 with one RBI and one run scored. Justin Gonzales went 2 for 6 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Enddy Azocar, who drove in two runs, and D'Angelo Ortiz, who doubled, also scored runs.
Jose Bello went 2 1/3 innings in his start for Salem, allowing one earned run on four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. Joey Gartrell received the bulk of the work out of the bullpen and yielded six earned runs on seven hits, one walk, and seven strikeouts over four innings. PJ Labriola gave up another run in the eighth inning, while Calvin Bickerstaff took the loss after surrendering two runs (both unearned) in the bottom of the 10th.
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Player of the Day: Will Turner gets the nod for compiling the first three-hit game of his professional career on Sunday. Boston's seventh-round pick in 2024 out of South Alabama, Turner opened the 2025 season on the 60-day injured list due to a broken hamate bone. The 22-year-old outfielder rejoined Greenville upon completing a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League in mid-June and has since slashed .171/.351/.282 with four doubles, three home runs, 14 RBI, 15 runs scored, four stolen bases, 34 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 41 games (154 plate appearances) for the Drive. He is not currently ranked among the organization's top 60 prospects.
Photo Credit: Will Turner by Kelly O'Connor