August 31, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Campbell homers twice; Heyman plays the hero for Greenville
8/31 Cup of Coffee: Two home runs from Kristian Campbell helped the WooSox cling to their playoff chances. Luke Heyman (pictured) was the hero in a thriller for Greenville, while Martin Shelar was on base five times in a doubleheader for Salem.
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The WooSox were able to salvage a series split, but they still sit 4.5 games out of a playoff spot entering September. Kristian Campbell capped the month with one of his best games, going 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBI. Romy Gonzalez also added a home run as he went 3 for 4 with a double, stolen base, three RBI, and four runs scored. Appearing in his last rehab game, Isiah Kiner-Falefa went 1 for 3 with a two-run single. The offense bailed out the pitching staff as the seven Worcester pitchers struggled to set down the RailRiders. John Brebbia threw a scoreless frame as the opener; Max Carlson got the win despite allowing two runs over three innings, while he notched a save with a scoreless ninth.
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The Sea Dogs tied the game in the ninth on a two-run home run by Tyler McDonough, and they took the lead on an RBI double by Yoeilin Cespedes. But the Flying Squirrels tied it back up in the bottom of the ninth, and then they walked it off in the 10th. Starter Alex Bouchard was tagged for five runs in three innings, but Caleb Bolden kept the game close with three innings of one-hit ball. After taking a one-run lead in the top of the 10th, the Sea Dogs brought in infielder Hudson White to close it out. He allowed two walks and a walk-off single. Johanfran Garcia had a great day at the plate, going 3 for 5 with a home run.
The loss dropped Portland to 4.5 games out of a playoff spot with two weeks to play.
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The Drive stunned the Emperors with four runs in the eighth and then another four runs in the ninth to walk it off. Luke Heyman delivered the game-winner as he laced an RBI single to score Jake Schaffner. Heyman delivered a grand slam earlier in the game, and all five of his RBI came with two outs. Schaffner finished 2 for 6 with two runs and two RBI, while Owen Hull went 3 for 4 with a double and two walks.
Greenville remains 1.5 games out of a playoff spot heading into its final week.
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Salem continued to run into the buzzsaw that is Fayetteville, dropping game one. Three different pitchers allowed exactly two runs, with starter Williams Montero going 1 2/3 innings while Wuilliams Rodriguez finished off the final 2 2/3 frames. Anderson Fermin went 2 for 3, while Starlyn Nunez, Avinson Pinto, and Martin Shelar all added a double.
The Woodpeckers finished off the sweep as they won their 13th straight game. Starter Berny Ortiz struck out five and allowed two runs over three innings, while Nicolas De La Cruz struck out three over 2 1/3 shutout frames. Fermin went 2 for 3 again, while Shelar went 1 for 2 with a double and two walks. After a slow start, Shelar now has a hit in four straight games.
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Player of the Day: A grand slam and a walk-off single for Luke Heyman helped Greenville mount a huge comeback. Heyman, the system's 26th-ranked prospect, pushed his OPS to .811 while launching his 19th home run. The 23-year-old right-handed hitter is particularly strong against lefties, posting an OPS of 1.085 with more walks (18) than strikeouts (14). Heyman has split his time pretty evenly between catcher and DH, and his ability to stick behind the plate will go a long way in determining his ultimate value.
Photo Credit: Luke Heyman by Kelly O'Connor