July 2, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Arias, Alcantara key Sea Dogs rally
-----
The WooSox survived 12 Syracuse hits and a 30 minute rain delay to win their third straight. Brayan Bello got the start, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings, striking out six without issuing a walk. Tyler Samaniego pitched a scoreless sixth, striking out two, walking one, and allowing a hit. The Mets reached Noah Song for two runs (one earned) in 1 1/3 frames. Angel Bastardo earned the win, entering with runners on first and second and one out and striking out both batters he faced, preserving a 2-2 tie. Seth Martinez fired a scoreless ninth for the save.
At the plate, Allan Castro followed up on Tuesday's four-hit effort by driving in what proved to be the game-winning run with a ninth-inning single. He finished 2 for 5 with two RBI. Tyler McDonough blasted a solo homer in the fifth, his ninth round tripper of the season, fifth with Worcester. Mickey Gasper reached base three times in his return to Triple-A, going 1 for 3 with a pair of walks.
-----
The Sea Dogs clawed out of a first-inning 5-0 hole for the comeback win. Franklin Arias delivered the key hit, a two-run tiebreaking homer in the third. The organization's top prospect also walked twice and was hit by a pitch. He has hit safely in nine consecutive starts, going 19 for 39 in those contests. Marvin Alcantara did not record an out, posting a single, double, two walks, and a run scored. Brooks Brannon ripped a bases-clearing double in the second. Starter Hayden Mullins was roughed up for five runs on four hits in his one inning of work. Max Carlson righted the ship with four scoreless frames, scattering a pair of hits and striking out one. Cooper Adams struck out three and walked one in two scoreless frames. Patrick Halligan picked up the save, allowing one run on three hits in two innings.
-----
Little went right for the Drive on Wednesday as they dropped their fifth straight. Starter Jojo Ingrassia went 4 1/3, allowing two runs on two hits, with both scores came on a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Ingrassia struck out six and walked three as he got a no-decision. Calvin Bickerstaff was saddled with the loss, allowing three runs in three innings. Stanley Tucker doubled and scored twice as part of his 2-for-4 effort. Ronny Hernandez and Luke Heyman both had solo home runs. It was the 13th of the season for Heyman, who trails only Franklin Arias for the system lead.
-----
Despite a trio of pitchers combining for a two-hitter, Salem dropped Wednesday's briskly-played pitchers' duel. RidgeYak starter Cole Tolbert allowed the game's lone run on a third-inning single, Augusta's final hit of the evening. Tolbert went three innings, allowing two hits, striking out three and walking one. Luis Cohen retired all 12 batters he faced out of the bullpen, striking out four and inducing six ground ball outs. Harry Blum struck out two and walked one in a hitless eighth inning. Avinson Pinto had two of Salem's four hits. Franklin Primera is still searching for his first Class-A hit, as he went 0 for 4 on the night. The game was played in just 1:56
-----
DSL Red Sox Blue vs. DSL Brewers Gold (postponed)
Lightning storms in the Dominican made for an unplayable Wednesday contest. The game is listed as postponed, but the makeup time is not yet showing.
-----
Player of the Day: Fun fact: Marvin Alcantara now has 645 plate appearances at the Double-A level since his aggressive promotion to Portland last May, and zero of them are against pitchers younger than he is. It has been a long adjustment at the plate for Franklin Arias's steady double-play partner, but Wednesday's two-hit, two-walk effoft is another indication of the gradual improvements he's made. The 21-year-old infielder has raised his slugging percentage in 2026 by 67 points compared to his time at Portland last year, and he is hitting .340/.383/.472 over his last 14 games. Alcantara is currently ranked 44th in the system.
Photo Credit: Marvin Alcantara by Kelly O'Connor