August 27, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Sogard reaches base four times for WooSox; Gonzales debuts in Greenville
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Nick Sogard started the game with a bang, pulling a leadoff home run to right field to begin the first inning. Sogard put together an excellent game from the top of the lineup, reaching base four times and scoring two runs. The WooSox added another pair of runs in the third inning on an RBI double off the bat of Mikey Romero and a sacrifice fly for Nathan Hickey. Phillip Sikes drove in a run with a single in the sixth and Seby Zavala tacked on an insurance run with a solo homer in the ninth. Kristian Campbell started in center field and ripped a 111.4 mph single as part of a 2-for-5 game.
Kyle Harrison delivered a short but solid outing for the WooSox, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in three innings. After the Red Sox moved Walker Buehler to the bullpen and Richard Fitts was pulled from his most recent outing with a biceps injury, Harrison might have an opportunity to join Boston's rotation soon. Wyatt Olds struck out three in two shutout innings of relief. David Sandlin worked through trouble and was able to minimize the damage in two innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk. Isaiah Campbell and Zack Kelly finished the game with a scoreless frame apiece.
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Starting pitcher John Holobetz continued a strong run since his promotion to Portland. He threw six impressive innings on Tuesday night, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while fanning six batters. He has pitched to a 3.28 ERA in 112 2/3 innings across three levels of the minors in his first professional season. Reidis Sena earned the save with three fantastic innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out four.
Just like the WooSox, the Sea Dogs got an excellent performance out of their leadoff hitter on Tuesday. Ahbram Liendo went 3 for 4 with a run scored, driving in a run on a second-inning single and another run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Marvin Alcantara also had a productive game for the Sea Dogs, going 1 for 4 with a double and three RBI. Caden Rose hit a solo home run in the third inning, going 1 for 4 on the night.
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The Drive fell to two games out of the division lead with a loss to Bowling Green on Tuesday night. Justin Gonzales made his debut at the High-A level and the 13th-ranked prospect in the system went 1 for 4 with a walk. Continuing the theme of standout performances for leadoff hitters, Franklin Arias went 2 for 3 with two walks and a run scored. The Drive were unable to generate much offense, scoring their only runs when Johanfran Garcia reached on an error in the first and Gonzales grounded into a double play in the fifth.
After two scoreless innings to start the game, Luis Cohen was tagged for four runs in the third inning and left the game after 2 1/3 frames. The Drive bullpen delivered a strong performance but it was too little, too late. Manuel Medina struck out four batters in 2 2/3 shutout innings. Beginning a rehab assignment and appearing for the first time in nearly two months, Luis Guerrero walked three batters and allowed an unearned run in an inning. Joe Vogatsky threw three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out three.
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After throwing the first 11 innings of his professional career without allowing an earned run, Brady Tygart was roughed up on Tuesday. He allowed two runs in the first inning and then four more in the second. While he settled down afterwards and got through 4 1/3 innings, it was by far his most difficult outing of the season. Nicolas De La Cruz threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, walking two batters. Eybersson Polanco allowed three runs on four hits in 2 1/3 frames.
Second baseman Yoeilin Cespedes turned in a great game for Salem, cracking his eighth home run of the season in the first inning and going 1 for 3 with two walks and three runs scored. Natanael Yuten went 3 for 4 with a walk and a pair of doubles, including a run-scoring double in the third. Gerardo Rodriguez and Skylar King each recorded two hits.
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Game 2 of the DSL semifinals was suspended in the seventh inning with the Red Sox Blue on the brink of elimination. At the time of the game's suspension, the Athletics were ahead by one run and had the bases loaded in the top of the seventh inning. Sadbiel Delzine started on the mound for the first time in over two months and he allowed a run while walking two in one inning. Dariel Morillo followed him with 1 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned). Angel Lopez was excellent in relief, throwing 2 1/3 shutout frames and striking out four, and Juan Medina added 2/3 of a scoreless inning. The Athletics pulled ahead in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs off Michael Manjarres, and Jainer Almanza recorded two quick outs prior to the game's suspension.
On the offensive side, the Blue team took an early lead on RBI doubles by Dorian Soto and Louis Andujar. Soto is 1 for 2 with two walks at this point in the game. Jostin Ogando's solo home run has also been a highlight thus far in the game. The Blue team and Athletics will resume Game 2 today and play Game 3 if necessary.
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Player of the Day: Nick Sogard was a force out of Worcester's leadoff spot on Tuesday night. He was 3 for 4 with a walk and a pair of runs scored and gave the WooSox lineup a jolt by opening the game with a home run. Sogard has now hit .269/.388/.381 with five home runs in 89 games with Worcester this season. Sogard is on the Red Sox' 40-man roster and he is a candidate for a promotion when rosters expand in September.
Photo Credit: Nick Sogard by Kelly O'Connor