June 26, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Gonzales hits 10th homer for Greenville; Brito, Marin go off in FCL
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Brayan Bello went five innings in his third start for Worcester since being optioned earlier this month. The righty gave up one earned run on five hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches (54 strikes) and generated 10 whiffs. Jovani Moran (in the first appearance of his rehab assignment) and Joe La Sorsa combined for two scoreless frames of relief. Alec Gamboa allowed the tying run to score in the eighth, while Osvaldo Berrios took the loss after surrendering the winning (unearned) run in the 10th.
Offensively, Worcester was limited to just five hits as a team on Thursday night. Tyler McDonough went 1 for 3 with a walk and a two-run home run, his fourth round-tripper in 14 Triple-A games this season. Kristian Campbell, who was on base for McDonough's homer, went 1 for 4 with one double and one run scored. Mikey Romero went 1 for 4 with one walk.
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Gage Ziehl turned in another solid start for Portland, scattering only two hits and one walk (as well as one hit by pitch) while striking out three over 5 2/3 scoreless innings. He threw 69 pitches (44 pitches) and generated nine whiffs. Cooper Adams and Max Carlson combined for six strikeouts across 3 1/3 frames of one-run ball out of the bullpen.
Five members of Portland's lineup put together multi-hit performances on Thursday. Marvin Alcantara went 3 for 4 with two RBI, two runs scored, and two stolen bases. Franklin Arias doubled as part of a 2-for-5 night out of the leadoff spot. Nate Baez, Brooks Brannon, and Johanfran Garcia all went 2 for 5 as well. Baez doubled, drove in one run, and scored another, while Brannon and Garcia each scored once. Caden Rose and Ahbram Liendo both doubled for their only hits and accounted for three RBIs.
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Justin Gonzales led the way at the plate for Greenville, going 3 for 4 with his 10th home run of the season (a solo shot) and a walk. Antonio Anderson also went deep as part of a 2-for-4 night in which he drove in two runs. Hudson White doubled in two runs and drew one walk. Yophery Rodriguez doubled and scored one run. Mason White scored one run and drew one walk. Ronny Hernandez drove in one run, scored once, and drew one walk. Stanley Tucker scored one run, stole one base, and drew one walk.
Jojo Ingrassia pitched into the fourth, but could not record an out and was charged with his first loss of the season. In three-plus innings, the lefty allowed seven runs (six earned) on five hits (including one home run), two walks, and five strikeouts. He threw 66 pitches (37 strikes) and generated 13 whiffs. Joe Vogatsky and Matt McShane pitched well out of the bullpen, combining for eight strikeouts across six scoreless, two-hit frames of relief.
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Cole Tolbert went three innings in his start for Salem, allowing one earned run on three hits, no walks, one hit by pitch, and four strikeouts. He threw 50 pitches (35 strikes) and generated seven whiffs. Luis Cohen (making his first appearance since June 2) and Joey Gartrell (who took the loss) combined to surrender four additional runs in 3 2/3 innings. Nicolas De La Cruz walked two and struck out two across 2 1/3 scoreless, no-hit frames of relief.
Offensively, Skylar King went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one stolen base out of the leadoff spot. Adonys Guzman went 1 for 2 with two RBI, one run scored, and one walk. Anderson Fermin and Ilan Fernandez each drove in a run as well, with the latter also reaching on a walk. Avinson Pinto drew two walks and scored one run. Justin Barry scored one run, stole one base, and drew one walk. Givian Sirvania doubled.
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Lioswald Marin and Josue Brito led the way offensively. Marin went 3 for 3 with two doubles, one home run, two RBIs, three runs scored, and one walk. Brito went 2 for 3 with two home runs, two RBI, three runs scored, and one walk. Edwin Darville doubled, drove in two runs, and scored once. Jhoan Peguero doubled, drove in one run, and drew one walk. Christopher Alvarado tripled, scored one run, and drew one walk. Franklin Primera went 0 for 3 to snap a 17-game hitting streak.
Berny Ortiz went three-plus innings in his start, allowing five earned runs on five hits, three walks, and one strikeout. Christopher Cordero was tagged for four unearned runs and took the loss out of the bullpen. Rony Calderon gave up one run on one hit, three walks, and four strikeouts over two innings.
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Emanuel Jimenez pitched well in his start for the Blue squad, scattering three walks and striking out five over 4 1/3 scoreless, no-hit innings. Carlos Falcon was credited with his first professional win after recording the final two outs of the fifth. Jesus Martinez followed with two innings of one-run ball to secure his first pro save. At the plate, Enmanuel Figuereo stood out by going 1 for 2 with two RBI. Isaac Velasquez also drove in a run, while Freyerso Vasquez and Santiago Yanes each scored once.
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This game was suspended in the top of the second due to rain. It will be completed before these teams' next scheduled matchup on July 7. Before the skies opened up on Thursday, though, the Red squad had already pushed across nine runs in the early going. Joskairo Ramirez went 2 for 2 with one triple, three RBI, and one run scored. Lester Suarez had doubled, driven in two runs, scored once, and drawn one walk. On the mound, starter Maikel Vargas lasted just two-thirds of an inning, surrendering three runs (two earned) on no hits, five walks, and no strikeouts.
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Player of the Day: Justin Gonzales gets the nod for putting together his fifth three-hit game of the season for Greenville on Thursday. The 19-year-old first baseman/outfielder has been slumping for most of June but may be turning a corner, as he is hitting .375 (6-for-16) with three home runs and six RBI over his last five games. He is currently ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Justin Gonzales by Kelly O'Connor