September 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Romero, Toro each homer for Worcester; Arias also goes deep
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Tyler Uberstine picked up the win in his start for Worcester after scattering two hits, one walk, and one hit by pitch over five scoreless innings in which he struck out six. He threw 82 pitches (52 strikes) and generated 12 whiffs. Luis Guerrero took over for Uberstine and put up another zero in the sixth, while David Sandlin allowed one run in his two innings of relief. Jacob Webb then closed things out by fanning a pair in a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.
Mikey Romero and Abraham Toro had monster nights at the plate. Romero went 3 for 5 with one double, two home runs, five RBIs, and three runs scored out of the leadoff spot. Toro, meanwhile, went 2 for 5 with two home runs, five RBIs, and two runs scored out of the three-hole. Kristian Campbell and Tyler McDonough impressed as well, with each going 3 for 5 on the evening. Campbell doubled, scored two runs, and stole one base, while McDonough tripled and drew one walk. Seby Zavala also doubled, scored one run, and drew one walk. Corey Rosier scored twice.
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Blake Wehunt went just one inning in his start for Portland, surrendering three earned runs on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts. Danny Kirwin followed and provided length out of the bullpen in his Double-A debut, as he yielded two earned runs on four hits, no walks, and two strikeouts over a season-high five innings of work. He threw 47 pitches (33 strikes) and generated four whiffs. Reidis Sena was tagged for two runs (one earned) in two innings and ultimately came away with the winning decision. Yovanny Cruz worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to notch his sixth save of the year.
Four members of Portland's lineup recorded multiple hits on Thursday night. Marvin Alcantara went 2 for 5 with one RBI. Brooks Brannon went 2 for 4 with one double, one stolen base, and one walk. Karson Simas went 2 for 3 with two runs scored, one stolen base, and one walk. Ahbram Liendo went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, one run scored, and his 41st stolen base of the season. Juan Chacon, Justin Riemer, and Tyler Miller all drove in runs. Franklin Arias recorded two RBIs on a fourth-inning sacrifice fly and a go-ahead solo shot to lead off the top of the ninth for his second Double-A homer.
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Player of the Day: Mikey Romero gets the nod for a second straight day. The 21-year-old infielder is heading into the weekend on a high note, having gone 6 for 14 (.429) with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBIs, five runs scored, and six strikeouts through the first three games of Worcester's series in Syracuse. He is currently ranked as the organization's No. 10 prospect.
Photo Credit: Mikey Romero by Kelly O'Connor