May 14, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Ferguson, Arias key Portland comeback
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A depleted Worcester starting rotation was a non-issue as six hurlers, none throwing more than two innings, pieced together the victory. Devin Sweet drew the first assignment, rolling through two perfect innings, striking out one while inducing three ground ball outs. Eduardo Rivera got credit for the win with his two scoreless innings of work, scattering three hits and striking out three. Buffalo scratched a pair of runs off of Jack Anderson in the fifth, but Angel Bastardo, Wyatt Olds, and Tommy Kahnle combined for four shutout frames to close out the victory. Nick Sogard and Jason Delay had two hits apiece, while Braiden Ward walked and stole his organization-leading 20th base of the year.
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A five-run eighth-inning rally capped a 13-hit effort in Wednesday's come-from-behind win at Dunkin Donuts Park. Max Ferguson blasted a two-run tie-breaking homer, adding a single and a stolen base to his 2-for-3 evening. Tyler McDonough also went deep as part of a two-hit effort, while Brooks Brannon homered for the sixth time in just 14 games since his activation. Franklin Arias continues to be a catalyst atop the Sea Dogs order, going 1 for 3 with two walks and two runs scored. Nate Baez ripped a pair of doubles, and Miguel Bleis was 2 for 4 with a walk and two runs driven in.
Starter Gage Ziehl allowed six runs on 11 hits in his five innings of work. He struck out four without issuing a walk. Patrick Halligan and Cade Feeney pitched two hitless innings apiece out of the Portland bullpen. Halligan got credit for the victory while Feeney earned the save.
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Wednesday's contest featured two teams going in opposite directions: Bowling Green won its fifth straight, while Greenville fell to an 11th loss in 12 games. The offense had plenty of opportunities but stranded 10 men on base, going 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Mason White was 2 for 4 with a triple and a run scored. Justin Gonzalez and Henry Godbout had two hits apiece out of the top two spots in the lineup. Jack Winnay delivered a solo homer in the sixth, his third of the season. Starter Austin Ehrlicher took the loss, surrendering two runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings.
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A three-run eighth-inning rally by the RidgeYaks was enough as a quartet of Salem pitchers stranded 14 Fredericksburg baserunners. Enddy Azocar spoiled the shutout bid with an RBI single, his second hit of the evening. Salem's lone extra-base hit was a two-run double by Luke Heyman that proved to be decisive. On the mound, starter Christian Foutch wriggled his way through 2 2/3 innings, surrendering two hits and five walks but escaping with just one run allowed. He struck out four, giving the 2025 fifth-round pick 27 punch outs in 19 2/3 innings. Ethan Walker followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, scattering two hits, striking out two, and walking one. Harry Blum struck out four of the seven batters he faced in two scoreless frames, and Nicolas De La Cruz got the victory, going the final 2 2/3.
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Player of the Day: Utilityman Max Ferguson has established himself as something of a fixture in the organization. Wednesday was a good microcosm of that, as he started at third base and moved over to first in the ninth for defesive purposes, while reaching base three times and delivering what proved to be a game-winning two-run homer. Acquired from the San Diego Padres at the deadline back in 2022 as part of the deal that brought Eric Hosmer to Boston and sent Jay Groome out west, Ferguson is nearing 300 games in the system. Generally known for his defense and versatility, the 26-year-old Ferguson is having his best season with the bat, hitting .284/.356/.531 in 23 games with the Sea Dogs.
Photo Credit: Max Ferguson by Kelly O'Connor