June 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Azocar homers, collects three hits to lead Greenville
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The WooSox fell into an early hole Wednesday evening, as Eduardo Rivera struggled with his control and failed to escape the first inning. He induced a pop out to the leadoff batter but a solo home run and four walks sandwiched by a strikeout and a throwing error led to five Rochester scores. The bullpen was able to cobble together 7 1/3 shutout frames to keep things close. Seth Martinez struck out a pair and scattered two hits in 2 1/3. Osvaldo Berrios and Angel Bastardo allowed one hit apiece in three and two innings, respectively. Berrios punched out four batters without issuing a walk, while Bastardo matched those four strikeouts while walking one. Mikey Romero was the standout at the plate, driving in both Worcester runs. The 2022 first-round pick had a solo homer in the fourth and an RBI single in the ninth, his third multi-hit effort in his last four starts. After a tough May, Romero is 7 for 16 to start off June.
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A ninth-inning rally fell short in Reading, as Portland scored two in the ninth but stranded the tying run at first base. Johanfran Garcia was 3 for 5 with a double and two RBI, but struck out with runners at first and third to end the contest. Franklin Arias reached base three times for the second straight night, going 2 for 4 with a walk and a run scored. Marvin Alcantara added his 10th double of the season. Starter Blake Wehunt allowed three runs in the first but settled in some after that, managing to work into the fifth inning. He allowed five runs on seven hits in 4 2/3, striking out four and walking one. It was the first outing of the season in which Wehunt surrendered more than three runs. Caleb Bolden went the final 3 1/3, the only blemish coming on a solo homer from old friend Alex Binelas.
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A three-homer effort powered the Drive, led by Enddy Azocar. The 19-year-old center fielder capped a 3 for 4 night with a solo home run. He scored twice and swiped a base in the victory. Jack Winnay blasted a three-run shot in the second to give the Drive a lead they would not relinquish. Isaiah Jackson also went deep with a sixth-inning solo blast. Justin Gonzales was held hitless out of the leadoff spot, but he did walk, steal his first base of the season, and score a run.
Starter Dylan Brown went the first four innings, allowing two runs on five hits while walking two. His six strikeouts give him an organization-leading 63 on the year. Tyler Davis allowed a run in two innings of relief to get credit for the win. Danny Kirwin battled some shaky control, walking four batters and allowing two hits in 1 1/3, but escaped with only one run. Steven Brooks earned his save, entering a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the eighth and stranding all three runners. He struck out three in 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
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Salem dropped a back-and-forth contest, falling to a fifth straight loss and seventh in the last eight games. D'Angelo Ortiz, son of Hall of Famer David Ortiz, blasted the first home run of his professional career, a fourth-inning solo shot over the left field fence. Ortiz was a 19th-round pick for the Red Sox in 2024. Adonys Guzman and Avinson Pinto added doubles for the RidgeYaks. Starter Barrett Morgan went five innings, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out three without issuing a walk. Jay Allmer took the loss, giving up three in 1 2/3. Joey Gartrell gave up just one hit and struck out three in 2 1/3 scoreless, but Salem's ninth-inning rally fell short.
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Player of the Day: Enddy Azocar has continued to build on his 2025 breakout campaign with an excellent 2026. With his homer and pair of singles, he now has seven extra-base hits in 11 games since his promotion from Salem. Overall, he leads the system in hits (62), doubles (18), triples (5), runs scored (39), and is second in RBI (34). He is currently ranked seventh in the system just three years after signing a $40,000 bonus as an international free agent out of Venezuela.
Photo Credit: Enddy Azocar by Kelly O'Connor