September 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Arias clubs first Double-A homer, Mullins fans six in Portland
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Shane Drohan went 3 2/3 innings in his start for Worcester, allowing three earned runs on five hits, one walk, and four strikeouts. He threw 63 pitches (43 strikes) and generated 13 whiffs. Jacob Webb and Hobie Harris were tagged for a total of three runs, while Alex Hoppe and Nick Burdi combined for three scoreless frames of relief. At the plate, Mikey Romero accounted for his side's only offense by going 1 for 3 with a two-run home run. Kristian Campbell went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles. Seby Zavala scored one run and drew two walks.
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Franklin Arias led the charge offensively for Portland by going 2 for 5 with his first Double-A home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Karson Simas also homered, drove in four runs, scored twice, and drew one walk as part of a 1-for-3 night. Juan Chacon went 2 for 4 with one triple, one RBI, two runs scored, and one stolen base. Allan Castro, Ronald Rosario, and Brooks Brannon accounted for four RBIs, while Marvin Alcantara and Ahbram Liendo each scored two runs and drew one walk.
Hayden Mullins picked up the winning decision in his start for Portland, allowing only one earned run on four hits (including a solo homer), two walks, and six strikeouts over five solid innings. He threw 80 pitches (51 strikes) and generated 16 whiffs. The rehabbing Luis Guerrero relieved Mullins in the sixth and surrendered one run on three walks in two-thirds of an inning. Cooper Adams then took over for Guerrero and gave up just one hit while striking out three across 3 1/3 strong frames to notch his first Double-A save.
With the win, Portland improves to 29-30 in the second half but still trails Somerset (32-28 in the second half after also winning on Thursday) by 2 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the Eastern League Northeast.
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Greenville Drive @ Winston-Salem Dash (CWS) (PPD)
This game was postponed due to inclement weather and unplayable field conditions. It is tentatively scheduled to be made up as part of a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 6.
Following Thursday's postponement, Greenville (31-31 in the second half) enters play Friday trailing Hub City (33-30 in the second half) by 1 1/2 games for the final playoff spot in the South Atlantic League South.
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Jack Winnay paced the Salem lineup by going 2 for 4 with one double and three RBIs. Starlyn Nunez went 1 for 3 with one double, two RBIs, one run scored, one walk, and his 20th stolen base of the year. Natanael Yuten also drove in two runs and drew two walks as part of a 1-for-1 showing. Gerardo Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with one double. Yoeilin Cespedes and Frederik Jimenez both scored two runs and drew two walks, with the latter stealing one base as well. Skylar King scored one run and stole one base.
Jesus Travieso went three-plus innings in his start for Salem, allowing two unearned runs on three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. He threw 66 pitches (38 strikes) and generated eight whiffs. Calvin Bickerstaff (who was credited with the winning decision), Eybersson Polanco, and Wuilliams Rodriguez then combined for five scoreless, no-hit frames out of the bullpen.
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Player of the Day: Franklin Arias gets the nod for crushing his first home run at the Double-A level on Thursday night. The 19-year-old middle infielder has gone 5 for 15 (.333) with one double, one homer, four RBIs, three runs scored, and three strikeouts in his first three games for Portland after receiving a promotion from Greenville on Tuesday. He is currently ranked as the organization's No. 2 prospect behind only rookie lefty Payton Tolle.
Photo Credit: Franklin Arias by Kelly O'Connor