May 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Gasper leads Worcester comeback; Eyanson dominates in Greenville
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A five-run rally in the seventh propelled the WooSox to the come-from-behind victory. Mickey Gasper was the offensive catalyst, going 4 for 5 with three runs, two RBI, a steal, and a solo homer. Vinny Capra homered and doubled as part of his 2-for-5 evening, and Nick Sogard also had two hits while driving in a pair.
The Red Wings reached starter Isaac Coffey for five runs in four innings, but the Worcester bullpen was dominant. Eduardo Rivera went three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out five without issuing a walk. He threw 32 of his 45 pitches for strikes. Kyle Keller struck out one and walked one in a hitless eighth, and Tommy Kahnle closed out the win with a scoreless inning. The major league team will have to make a decision on Kahnle, who reportedly exercised his assignment clause after the game. The clause means he would need to be added to the 40-man roster and, because he is out of options, he would also need to be added to the major league roster.
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John Holobetz had a rare rough start as the Sea Dogs fell for the fourth time in five games this series. A first-inning grand slam hurt Holobetz, who allowed ten runs (seven earned) on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out two. Joe Vogatsky pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, but the Patriots added three insurance runs off of Reidis Sena, whose control wobbled with five walks in two frames. All of the Portland scoring came via the long ball. Johanfran Garcia hit his second home run of the year, a two-run blast in the sixth. Will Turner had an eighth-inning solo shot.
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Flipping the calendar to May did little to slow down Anthony Eyanson. Last July's third-round pick struck out the first four batters he saw before doing something he had not done all season: Anthony Eyanson walked a batter. He finished 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit and extending his scoreless streak to 18 innings going back to his first appearance of the season. He struck out seven batters while walking three. Brandon Neely took the loss in relief, giving up six runs in two frames. At the plate, Yoeilin Cespedes ripped his minor-league leading 12th double, giving him at least one extra-base hit in four straight games. Antonio Anderson was 2 for 4 with a double of his own, driving in Greenville's lone run.
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It was a tough night in the Carolina League as Salem managed only three hits off a trio of Wilson hurlers. One of those hits was the fourth home run of the season for Skylar King, a fourth-inning solo shot that knotted the game at 2-2. From that point on, it was all Warbirds. Starter Christian Foutch went the first three innings, surrendering two runs on two hits, striking out seven against three walks. Jose Bello took the loss, giving up five runs (two earned) in 2 1/3. It is the 11th loss in the last 16 games for the RidgeYaks.
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May 1 marks the final day before the complex leagues begin, as the FCL Red Sox will kick off their schedule on Saturday afternoon. The team will feature ninth-ranked Dorian Soto and several other players from a strong-looking 2025 international class. Check out the squad over on the SoxProspects.com Team Rosters page.
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Player of the Day: Mickey Gasper opened up May by keying the system's only victory of the day. The 30-year-old has continued to be an on-base machine in his second stint in the Red Sox system, raising his OBP to .442 on the year in 120 plate appearances. Gasper spent 2024 in the system after being selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, making his major league debut on August 12. Boston dealt him to Minnesota in the deal for Jovani Moran, but was able to claim him on waivers in February from the Nationals.
Photo Credit: Mickey Gasper by Kelly O'Connor