July 20, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Ziehl strikes out eight over five shutout frames; Salazar powers Salem
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Worcester mounted a strong rally to tie the game with three runs in the eighth, but the RailRiders launched a walk-off home run to win it. RBI singles from Nate Eaton and Mickey Gasper brought the WooSox closer, and then Brett Harris knotted it up with an RBI double. A two-out triple from Braiden Ward in the ninth got wasted as Nick Sogard struck out to strand him. It was a bullpen game for Worcester with Osvaldo Berrios allowing one run over the first two innings. Noah Song threw a scoreless inning in his first appearance in over a week, and Sam McWilliams took the loss after allowing the walk-off home run.
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A dominant start from Gage Ziehl propelled Portland past the Patriots. Ziehl, the SoxProspects.com Pitcher of the Month in June, struck out eight and allowed only two hits over five shutout frames. Patrick Halligan earned a six-out save, though he did allow a solo home run in the ninth that made things more interesting. Jack Winnay continued to roll, going 1 for 3 with a walk and an RBI double. Ronald Rosario went 1 for 3 with a double, and Mason White went 1 for 3 with two strikeouts in his Portland debut.
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Greenville's pitching staff is going to want to forget this one as they served up 25 hits and seven walks to the Keys. Jojo Ingrassia kept things on the tracks by allowing two runs over 4 1/3 innings, but Frederick got to Matt Duffy for five runs and Griffin Kilander for six runs. The Drive took an early lead thanks to a three-run shot off the bat of Yophery Rodriguez. Rodriguez later added an RBI double as he finished 2 for 4. Luke Heyman also went deep, and Ronny Hernandez went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.
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Kleyver Salazar gave Salem all the run support it would need on Sunday. Salazar belted a three-run home run in the first inning and the RidgeYaks never looked back. He finished 3 for 3 with the home run, a double, and a stolen base. Givian Sirvania went 2 for 3 with a double, and Ilan Fernandez finished 2 for 4 with a double. It was a solid start for Leighton Finley as he struck out six and allowed two runs over five innings. Trennor O'Donnell got the save with four shutout innings to end it. He stuck out four and surrendered two hits without issuing a walk. He was also extremely efficient, needing only 48 pitches.
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A three-run rally in the eighth lifted the American League DSL Stars to victory. Two players from the Red Sox system saw game action. Isaac Velazquez got the start at one of the DH slots (the teams used two designated hitters per side), going 0 for 2 with a strikeout. Joskairo Ramirez entered the game as a defensive replacement in left field in the sixth inning. With a man on third base and one out in the sixth, he produced a ground out RBI that knotted the contests at 4-4. Anderber Urbina was also named to the squad, but he did not appear in the game.
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Player of the Day: Kleyver Salazar did just enough to get past Gage Ziehl for the top performance of the day. The 20-year-old drove in three of Salem's four runs with a three-run home run, and he also added a single, double, and walk. Salazar struggled out of the gate this year in his second stint with Salem, but he has warmed up with the weather. His OPS was just .606 on May 3, but it has climbed up to .779. His total line of .371/.463/.514 in July would be the best month of his career if he is able to hold it. Known for his defense, Salazar is trying to show that he is ready to help Greenville's catching corps.
Photo Credit: Kleyver Salazar by Kelly O'Connor