May 15, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Liendo nearly hits for cycle; Azocar, Morgan lead Salem to win
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Jake Bennett went 3 1/3 innings in his start for Worcester, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits, two walks, and three strikeouts. All the damage came in the bottom of the second. He threw 70 pitches (44 strikes) and generated 10 whiffs. Seth Martinez, Noah Song, and Tayron Guerrero combined for 4 2/3 scoreless frames of relief.
Offensively, Nick Sogard led the way out of the leadoff spot, going 2 for 4 with a solo shot for his fifth home run of the season. Nate Eaton also went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles. Mikey Romero clubbed a two-run homer in the ninth for his lone hit of the night and his second big fly of the year. Anthony Seigler scored one run, while Kristian Campbell drew three walks.
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Ahbram Liendo finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3 for 4 with one double, his first home run of the season, three RBIs, one run scored, and one stolen base. Marvin Alcantara homered for his only hit of the night and his fourth big fly of the year. Ronald Rosario drove in one run, while Will Turner, Nelly Taylor, and Max Ferguson combined for three runs and three walks. Taylor stole one base as well.
Blake Wehunt got the start for Portland and tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings, scattering three hits and one walk while striking out a season-high seven. He threw 63 pitches (37 strikes) and generated nine whiffs. Max Carlson (who was credited with the win), Reidis Sena (who was credited with the hold), and Cooper Adams (who was credited with the save) combined for seven additional strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings of three-run ball out of the bullpen.
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Dylan Brown went five innings in his start for Greenville, allowing two earned runs on three hits, two walks, one hit by pitch, and seven strikeouts. He threw 75 pitches (50 strikes) and generated nine whiffs. Calvin Bickerstaff surrendered three runs in his two innings of relief, while Steven Brooks struck out three across a pair of scoreless frames.
Offensively, Henry Godbout tallied three hits, including a double, out of the leadoff spot. Antonio Anderson also doubled and drove in his side's lone run as part of a 2-for-4 night. Yophery Rodriguez went 1 for 3 with one double, one run scored, and one walk. Despite going hitless, Jack Winnay walked three times.
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Barrett Morgan put together a strong start for Salem, scattering one hit and one walk while striking out three over a career-high five scoreless innings. He faced just one over the minimum on 62 pitches (37 strikes), generating seven whiffs. Jose Bello took over in the sixth and allowed three runs across the contest's final four innings to notch his first save of the season.
Four members of Salem's lineup recorded multiple hits. Enddy Azocar stood out by going 2 for 4 with one double, his sixth home run of the year, two RBI, one run scored, and one walk. Skylar King went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and one stolen base. Ty Hodge went 2 for 3 with one double, one run scored, and two walks. Avinson Pinto went 2 for 5 with one RBI. Luke Heyman and D'Angelo Ortiz each went 1 for 3, with the former doubling, scoring one run, and drawing two walks, and the latter driving in one run and drawing two walks. Starlyn Nunez tripled and scored once.
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Despite suffering another walk-off loss, the FCL Red Sox out-hit the opposition on Thursday. Jhoan Peguero led the way, going 3 for 3 with his first home run of the season, one RBI, two runs scored, two stolen bases, and one walk. Louis Andujar also belted a two-run shot as part of a 2-for-4 day. Dorian Soto had two hits, scored one run, and drew one walk. Harold Rivas tripled in two runs for his lone hit, while Franklin Primera scored one run and drew one walk.
On the mound, Berny Ortiz went 2 2/3 innings in his second start of the year, allowing two earned runs on three hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. Christopher Cordero, Jeison Payano, and Yander Bonaci combined to give up four runs (three earned) out of the bullpen, while Tejahari Wilson walked three and struck out two across 2 2/3 scoreless frames of relief. Bonaci was saddled with the loss after giving up the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
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Player of the Day: Barrett Morgan gets the nod for delivering five scoreless innings for Salem on Thursday. The 21-year-old righty now sports a 2.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts to eight walks through six outings (three starts) spanning 18 innings to begin his first professional season. Opponents are batting just .177 against Morgan, who was selected in the 11th round of last summer's draft out of Cowley County Community College. The 6-foot-5 right-hander is currently ranked as the organization's No. 41 prospect.
Photo Credit: Ahbram Liendo by Kelly O'Connor