July 6, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Wehunt and Paez shut down Altoona; Gasper fuels Worcester win
7/6 Cup of Coffee: A home run from Andrew Knizner and Mickey Gasper stealing home highlighted a key win for Worcester. Portland dominated in all facets, with Blake Wehunt and Jedixson Paez (pictured) shutting down Altoona. Home runs from Isaiah Jackson and Mason White was not enough for Greenville, while Salem's offense went quiet as its three-game winning streak came to an end.
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The WooSox posted five runs in the first and never looked back in a series-clinching win. A two-run home run from Andrew Knizner, his first for Worcester, plated the final runs of the first inning. Tyler McDonough finished 2 for 5 with a double and a stolen base, while Mickey Gasper went 2 for 3 with two doubles, two walks, and an RBI. Gasper stole home in the first inning as part of a successful double steal with Allan Castro. Starter Raymond Burgos was one out shy of earning the win as he allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings. Both Tyler Uberstine and Wyatt Olds posted two strikeouts and a groundout in their scoreless frames.
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It is shocking that on a day when the offense scores 10 runs that the pitching was the big story for the Sea Dogs. It was a second straight dominant start for Blake Wehunt who struck out nine over five frames of one-hit ball. Four walks limited his efficiency and kept him from an even better line. Jedixson Paez came on in long relief and fared even better, striking out eight while allowing just one baserunner over four innings. Paez has now struck out 35 while walking just four over 31 2/3 innings with the Sea Dogs. Home runs from Marvin Alcantara and Brooks Brannon were the highlight of the offensive fireworks. Alcantara went 1 for 3 with the two-run shot and Brannon went 2 for 3 with a walk and the solo home run. Nate Baez went 2 for 4 with two doubles, and Ahbram Liendo went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk.
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It was a rare misstep for Devin Futrell who allowed a career-high seven earned runs in a loss to the Dash. After striking out 12 over six shutout frames last start, Futrell was tagged for 11 hits including two home runs. Both Isaiah Jackson and Mason White hit their 12th home run, with Jackson also adding a walk. Antonio Anderson went 2 for 3 with a walk, and Justin Gonzales went 1 for 4 with an RBI groundout.
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Salem scored one run in back-to-back games, though one run was enough on Saturday in a shutout victory. Trennor O'Donnell, who was just activated from the 60-day injured list, allowed two runs over three innings with four strikeouts. O'Donnell is coming back from an internal brace procedure. Joey Gartrell diced up the GreenJackets in his two frames of relief, striking out five while allowing one hit. Franklin Primera started his Salem career 0 for 10, but he singled in his first at-bat as part of a 1-for-4 night. Kleyver Salazar also went 1 for 4, and Justin Barry went 1 for 2 with a walk.
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Player of the Day: You could not go wrong with either Portland pitcher, but Jedixson Paez gets the nod despite throwing one fewer inning with one fewer strikeout. Paez allowed just a groundball single in bulk relief as he earned a four-inning save. The eight strikeouts were his most in a game in almost two years, and it marked his sixth multi-inning appearance this season where he did not issue a walk. The 22-year-old is currently ranked 21st in the organization, and he will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft again this offseason after getting picked by the White Sox in 2025. His ERA of 4.26 does not jump off the page, but his WHIP of 0.88 is near the top of the system.
Photo Credit: Jedixson Paez by Kelly O'Connor