May 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Mullins strikes out 10 behind a rehabbing Slaten
5/4 Cup of Coffee: Portland was the only team to walk away victorious as they were led by Justin Slaten and Hayden Mullins (pictured). Worcester could not capitalize on a strong game from Anthony Seigler, while Ilan Fernandez had a career day for Salem.
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The Red Wings pulled away late as they doubled up the WooSox. Seth Martinez tied his season-high by going three innings while allowing one run as the opener. Most of the damage came off of Jack Anderson who allowed four runs on nine hits over three innings. Two players did their best to carry the offense. Anthony Seigler went 3 for 4 with a double, RBI, and stolen base, while Vinny Capra went 2 for 4 with a double and scored a run. Kristian Campbell missed his third straight game, with unconfirmed reports noting he is dealing with an illness.
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Portland's pitching staff shined in a rout of Somerset. The opener was Justin Slaten who started a rehab assignment as he works back from a right oblique strain. He struck out two and allowed one hit in his lone inning of work. Hayden Mullins was excellent behind him striking out 10 over six frames while allowing two runs. He walked one after walking five last time out. The offense provided more than enough support, with Johanfran Garcia leading the way. He went 2 for 5 with a home run and a double. Nelly Taylor also went deep, while Caden Rose went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, and a stolen base.
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The Drive dropped their fourth straight as Hub City pulled ahead late. Starter Marcus Phillips cruised through the first three innings, but was touched up in the fourth and fifth. He finished allowing five runs over 4 2/3 innings with three walks and five strikeouts and he also hit two batters. The loss went to Luis Cohen who allowed two runs in his two innings. A two-run home run off the bat of Mason White tied the game at 5 in the sixth, and Isaiah Jackson went 2 for 4 with a double.
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Wilson got a walk-off two-run home run in the 10th to sink Salem. Wuilliams Rodriguez was on the mound starting his second inning of work when the Warbirds walked it off. Starter Leighton Finley did not surrender an earned run but did give up two unearned runs while striking out one and walking three over five frames. Jason Gilman kept his ERA at 0.00 by blanking Wilson over three innings. The only Salem batter to record an RBI was Enddy Azocar who went 1 for 4 with a walk and a two-run double. Hitting ninth, Ilan Fernandez had a career day going 4 for 4 with three doubles.
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Player of the Day: Ilan Fernandez was a long shot to win this award entering the day as he came in with a line of .146/.295/.229 over 48 at-bats. That line jumped to .212/.338/.346 after he went 4 for 4 with three doubles. The 19-year-old infielder out of Venezuela has shown good feel for the strike zone in his two seasons playing rookie ball but he has hit for minimal power. He had six extra-base hits in 38 games last year. He accumulated half of that total in one game on Sunday.
Photo Credit: Hayden Mullins by Kelly O'Connor