August 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rogers paces Portland; Martin blasts first pro homer
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Worcester squandered a 5-1 lead as Iowa scored eight unanswered runs. Starter Richard Fitts went five innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked and struck out three apiece. David Sandlin continues to adjust to a bullpen role as he allowed three hits in 2/3 of an inning, including a grand slam to veteran outfielder Forrest Wall. In four appearances in a short relief role, Sandlin has allowed seven runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. David Hamilton was the offensive catalyst, going 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. Jhostynxon Garcia and Nathan Hickey also had doubles for the WooSox.
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A strong start by Dalton Rogers anchored the Portland victory. Rogers surrendered just one run on three hits over 5 1/3, striking out six and walking three. Jack Anderson did not miss a beat in relief, going the final 3 2/3 frames for the saves, allowing one run on four hits. Max Ferguson accounted for all three Portland runs out of the leadoff slot, going 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored, driving in two runs and swiping a pair of bags. Tyler Miller chipped in a double and a walk.
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A strong South Atlantic League debut by Mason White was the highlight in Greenville's Friday defeat. White, Boston's fourth-round pick in last month's draft, was added to the Greenville roster when Henry Godbout went on the injured list. Playing shortstop and batting leadoff, White doubled, scored a run, and drew a pair of walks. Nelly Taylor walked three times, including once with the bases loaded to drive in a run as part of the Drive's three-run rally in the sixth. The normally steady Blake Aita struggled in his start, allowing four runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings, walking three while striking out two.
With a loss by Bowling Green and a win by Hub City, Greenville is now in a three-way tie atop the South Division in the second half. Those two teams are up next on the Drive's schedule.
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After matching zeros into the fifth inning, the two squads went back-and-forth in the late innings before Salem fell in a heartbreaking balk-off loss. Yhoiker Fajardo was excellent in his start, scattering three runs across four scoreless frames, walking three while striking out eight of the 17 batters he faced. The only blemish for Fajardo was his efficiency, as he needed 74 pitches to get through those four innings. Fredericksburg broke the scoreless tie with single runs in the fifth and sixth off of Jay Allmer. Wuilliams Rodriguez allowed a single run in 2 1/3 and was lined up for the victory, but the Nats plated two in the bottom of the ninth off Eybersson Polanco, with the winning run scoring on a balk.
The loss did not overshadow a huge night for shortstop Maximus Martin. The 10th-round pick ended the shutout bid with a three-run homer, his first as a professional. Martin also walked three times. Skylar King was 2 for 3 with a walk, and Yoeilin Cespedes ripped his 23rd double of the season.
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The Blue squad won for the ninth time in 11 August contests as they continue their surge toward the playoffs. A quintet of hurlers combined for a six-hit shutout in the seven-inning affair. Juanyerlin Duran went the first 3 1/3 innings, scattering four hits, striking out three, and walking one. Yariel Valdez, Luis Cabrera, Wascar Berroa, and Ranci Castillo went the final 3 2/3. Cabrera got credit for the win and has not allowed a run in his six appearances over 8 2/3 frames.
Edwin Darville led the way at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a triple, a stolen base, and two runs scored. Louis Andujar also had a pair of hits, adding a walk and an RBI. With Hector Ramos sidelined with an injury, top international free agent Dorian Soto moved over from the DSL Red team for the playoff run. Soto got the start at shortstop in his Blue debut, going 0 for 3.
With the victory, Team Blue held its 1 1/2–game lead over the DSL Rays in the North Division. With the new 16-team format sending eight division winners and eight wild cards into the DSL Cup, they sit in a tie for the 14th seed with the Astros Blue squad at 31-21. The magic number to clinch a playoff berth is down to two, while the Astros Orange were knocked out of contention with last night’s loss.
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The Red team, eliminated from playoff contention, is playing out the string until Tuesday's regular-season finale. Christopher Cordero was saddled with his first professional loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. It is only the third time out of 10 appearances that Cordero was charged with an earned run. Franklin Primera had two of Team Red's six hits, boosting his season slash line to .328/.463/.430.
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Player of the Day: Shortstop Maximus Martin was on base four times, including a three-run homer for the first blast as a professional. Martin, a 10th-round pick out of Kansas State, entered the day with just eight total bases and two walks in nine games with Salem. He boosted his OPS from .520 to .684 with Friday evening's effort. The 21-year-old infielder was ranked the 184th prospect in the draft by Baseball America and the 223rd by MLB Pipeline.
Photo Credit: Dalton Rogers by Kelly O'Connor