June 22, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Arias, Gonzales, and Cespedes go deep; Eyanson delivers again
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Six players posted multi-hit games and the bullpen was lights out in Worcester's victory. Vinny Capra went 2 for 5 and homered as the second batter of the game. Even though he did not go deep, Jason Delay was the highlight of the day on offense. He drove in six runs as part of a 3-for-4 day that included two doubles and a triple. Matt Thaiss also tallied a double and a triple while going 2 for 4 with a walk. Jack Anderson took advantage of the offense to post his second win. He allowed three runs over five frames. Four relievers combined to allow only one hit over the final four innings to give the WooSox a series split.
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Despite Franklin Arias's best efforts, the Patriots snapped Portland's three-game winning streak. Arias led the game off with a home run and he would later add two doubles as he finished 3 for 5. The home run was his 14th which is good for fifth in the Eastern League. Ahbram Liendo also homered as he went 1 for 4, and Brooks Brannon notched two sacrifice flies. After having his start skipped last week, Anthony Eyanson did not miss a beat in his return to the mound. He only logged four innings, but he held Somerset scoreless while walking one and striking out five. The loss went to Erik Rivera who allowed three runs in the eighth.
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The Drive had a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, but the BlueClaws took Danny Kirwin deep for a two-run home run to win it. Starter Marcus Phillips had the walks under control after issuing seven free passes in his last start, but he still surrendered four runs (three earned) over 4 1/3. He walked one and struck out five. Kirwin had pitched a scoreless eighth prior to giving up the home run. The Drive kept the theme of first-inning home runs going as Justin Gonzales hit a two-run shot to give them an early 2-0 lead. It was the second home run in as many days for Gonzales. Yoeilin Cespedes finished 3 for 3 with a home run, double, and a walk, while Isaiah Jackson went 1 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run.
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Salem's offense sputtered in a shutout loss to Fredericksburg. Singles from Frederik Jimenez, Adonys Guzman, and Ilan Fernandez was all the team could muster. After missing almost three weeks with an injury, Jose Bello returned and allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings. Jason Gilman was able to scatter five walks across 3 1/3 scoreless frames, and Joey Gartrell finished it off with two innings of one-run ball.
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Player of the Day: Yoeilin Cespedes reached based in all four plate appearances while hitting his 11th home run and 18th double. Cespedes is in the midst of a bounce back season after struggling to a .668 OPS in Salem last season. The 11 home runs now eclipses last season's total of 10 in almost exactly half of the games. The strong day improved his line to .292/.345/.517, and the 20-year-old has risen back up to 14th in the system.
Photo Credit: Yoeilin Cespedes by Kelly O'Connor