August 19, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Anthony begins rehab assignment; Gonzales makes Double-A debut
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Jedixson Paez made his second start at the Triple-A level, taking a step back after an impressive performance in his WooSox debut last Thursday. Paez struck out five Mets hitters while walking just one batter but he was tagged for three runs on four hits in four innings pitched. Patrick Halligan followed him with three strong innings out of the bullpen, surrendering one run on two hits while fanning three batters. John Brebbia struck out the side in one inning of relief but he gave up a run on a hit and a walk. The WooSox bats recorded just two hits in a quiet night at the plate, scoring their only run on an RBI double off the bat of Allan Castro in the seventh inning. Castro's double scored Romy Gonzalez, who was 1 for 3 on the night.
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The Sea Dogs put on a show in arguably the most highly-anticipated game of the year at Hadlock Field. Making his debut with the Sea Dogs, Justin Gonzales rapped a single up the middle in his first at bat and went 2 for 5 with a run scored in his first game with Portland. Making his first appearance in a rehab assignment with Portland, Roman Anthony reached base in all four of his plate appearances as he went 2 for 2 with a pair of walks and blasted a two-run homer in the fifth inning. After a promotion from Greenville last week, Henry Godbout recorded his first home run with the Sea Dogs in a 1-for-4 night. Jack Winnay went 2 for 3 with a walk, two runs scored, and an RBI single in the first inning. Brooks Brannon went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI.
Left-hander Dalton Rogers was impressive on the mound, striking out eight batters while allowing two runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. Rogers' strong start lowered his ERA to 5.59 in 66 innings with the Sea Dogs this season. Tyler Davis pitched 2 2/3 frames out of the bullpen, giving up one run on two hits while striking out two batters. Erik Rivera walked three batters and allowed two runs in an inning. This is a pivotal series for the Sea Dogs' postseason aspirations as they currently trail Reading by 1.5 games in the second-half standings for the Eastern League Northeast.
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The Drive climbed back into the game after falling behind 7-0 but they were unable to complete the comeback. Ronny Hernandez blasted a two-run homer in the seventh inning, his 13th of the season, as part of a 1-for-4 game. The Drive scored two more in the eighth inning on an RBI double for Yophery Rodriguez and an RBI groundout for Antonio Anderson. First-rounder Jake Schaffner went 2 for 4 with a walk while his college teammate Owen Hull was 1 for 3 with two walks. Maximus Martin went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.
Marcus Phillips continued his shaky professional debut season, dropping to 0-7 and raising his ERA to 6.71 after surrendering three runs (two earned) in two innings to start the game. Joey Gartrell worked three innings out of the bullpen, giving up two runs and striking out two batters. Matt McShane struck out three batters and allowed two runs in two frames. Adam Bates pitched two shutout innings of relief, striking out two batters. Greenville is now 4.5 games behind Bowling Green as they fight for a postseason berth.
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Salem turned in a mammoth offensive performance in their series opener against Wilson, posting 21 runs on 23 hits. Fresh off being named the SoxProspects.com Player of the Week, Franklin Primera had a monster game to continue his hot streak, driving in seven runs on a homer and two doubles while going 3 for 6. Starlyn Nunez also had an exceptional game for the RidgeYaks, going 3 for 5 with his 12th home run of the season and driving in five runs. Kleyver Salazar went 2 for 3 with a home run, a walk, and three RBI. First baseman Adonys Guzman reached base six times, going 3 for 3 with three walks, three runs, and two RBI. Andrews Opata went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and stole his 46th base of the season.
Cole Tolbert drew the start for Salem and tossed the first three innings of the game, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks. Nicolas De La Cruz pitched in for two innings of relief, allowing a run on three hits and two walks. Yermain Ruiz was excellent out of the bullpen, striking out five batters without allowing a hit or run, and Wuilliams Rodriguez finished the game with a scoreless inning. Salem is now 2.5 games behind Fayetteville and tied with Wilson in the postseason chase.
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The Blue squad's bats got off to a fast start, scoring five runs in the second inning and jumping out to a 7-1 lead in the third, but they were unable to hang onto their early lead. Enmanuel Figuereo and Miguel Welch each drove in a pair of runs in the second inning on a triple and a home run, respectively. Welch was 1 for 4 with a walk and the home run was his third of the season. Catcher Santiago Yanes went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Starting pitcher Christopher Silvestre worked 1 2/3 innings and surrendered one run on three hits and three walks. Erickson Ettien pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out a batter and walking two. Isael Fis struck out two batters and allowed a run in two solid innings of relief.
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The Red Sox Red were in control until the Orioles Black rallied for nine runs in the bottom of the sixth to run away with the game. Anthony Herrera started on the mound and tossed 1 2/3 innings without allowing a hit, walking one batter and striking out two. Oscar Vaamonde struck out four batters and gave up two unearned runs in two innings pitched. Leonel Figuera pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings before turning the ball over to Robert Moreno and Alexander Heredia, who combined for nine runs in an inning of work. Jhonny Osta was the only hitter on the Red team to record multiple hits, going 2 for 3 with a run scored. Diomer Hidalgo went 1 for 2 with a walk and drove in a run.
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Player of the Day: Catcher Franklin Primera was the standout performer in a blowout win for the RidgeYaks as he went 3 for 6 with a home run, two doubles, four runs scored, and seven RBI. Primera has been red-hot lately and his huge game pushed his season line to .342/.479/.553 in 32 games with Salem. One of the breakout stars in the Red Sox system this season, Primera has shot up the SoxProspects.com rankings and now lands as Boston's No. 3 prospect.
Photo Credit: Franklin Primera by Kelly O'Connor