May 22, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Wehunt, Halligan, and Adams combine for 20 Ks in Portland's shutout win
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Worcester scored four runs in the first inning but was held in check the rest of the way. Allan Castro and Tsung-Che Cheng each had two hits, with the former driving in one run and the latter doubling. Anthony Seigler doubled in three runs for his only hit of the day. Braiden Ward, who scored once, and Matt Thaiss, who walked twice, stole one base apiece. Nate Eaton and Kristian Campbell accounted for three walks and two runs.
On the mound, Jacob Webb went 2 2/3 innings in his first start of the season, allowing three earned runs on two hits, two walks, one hit by pitch, and one strikeout. He threw 51 pitches (29 strikes) and generated eight whiffs. Of the five relievers Worcester used, Alec Gamboa stood out by facing the minimum over two scoreless frames. Noah Song also struck out the lone hitter he faced.
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Blake Wehunt was dominant in his longest start of the season so far for Portland. The 25-year-old righty scattered four hits and one walk while striking out 11 over five scoreless innings. He threw 69 pitches (49 strikes) and generated 13 whiffs. Patrick Halligan and Cooper Adams added nine more strikeouts across four scoreless, one-hit frames of relief to seal the shutout win.
Offensively, Will Turner scored the game's only run on an RBI groundout off the bat of Nate Baez in the third inning. Marvin Alcantara singled three times and accounted for three of his side's four hits in doing so. Miguel Bleis was responsible for the other. Nelly Taylor and Tyler McDonough each drew one walk and stole one base.
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Greenville Drive @ Frederick Keys (BAL) (PPD)
Thursday's contest between Greenville and Frederick was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Friday.
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Salem RidgeYaks @ Hill City Howlers (CLE) (PPD)
Thursday's contest between Salem and Hill City was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Friday.
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Louis Andujar had a perfect day at the plate, going 3 for 3 with his third home run of the season, one RBI, one run scored, and one walk. Franklin Primera and Tavano Baker each went 2 for 3, with the former doubling and scoring one run, and the latter tripling, driving in the winning run on a walk-off single, scoring once, drawing one walk, and stealing one base. Jhorman Bravo drew two walks, stole one base, and scored one run.
On the mound, Berny Ortiz went 2 1/3 innings in his start, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit, two walks, and five strikeouts. Christopher Cordero gave up an additional unearned run in his two innings out of the bullpen, while Merlin Bido picked up the win with a pair of strikeouts over 2 2/3 scoreless, one-hit frames of relief.
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Player of the Day: Following Jake Bennett's 11-strikeout performance in Worcester on Wednesday, Blake Wehunt matched that total in his start for Portland on Thursday. It marked the third double-digit strikeout outing of Wehunt's professional career. In five starts since returning from a left hamstring injury on April 22, the Kennesaw State product has posted a 2.76 ERA with 20 strikeouts to six walks over 16 1/3 innings for the Sea Dogs. He is currently ranked as the organization's No. 18 prospect.
Photo Credit: Blake Wehunt by Kelly O'Connor