August 15, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Futrell, Winnay power Portland; Campbell, Jackson stay hot
-----
Gage Ziehl took the loss in his start for Worcester after allowing three earned runs on six hits (including one home run), one walk, and five strikeouts over five innings. He threw 75 pitches (50 strikes) and generated six whiffs. In relief of Ziehl, Angel Bastardo and John Brebbia combined to surrender three runs across three innings, while Raymond Burgos struck out two and put up a zero in the ninth.
Braiden Ward accounted for a third of his side's hits, going 2 for 4 with one run scored and two stolen bases, giving him 53 on the season. Nate Eaton, who stole one base, and Romy Gonzalez each drove in a run. Kristian Campbell doubled for his only hit, drew one walk, and threw out a runner at second base. Tsung-Che Cheng drew one walk and scored one run.
With the loss, Worcester remains a half-game back of Indianapolis for first place in the International League second-half standings.
-----
Jack Winnay paced Portland's lineup, going 3 for 5 with one double, one home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. Brooks Brannon, Miguel Bleis, and Yoeilin Cespedes all went 2 for 5. Brannon doubled and scored one run. Bleis doubled, drove in one run, and scored twice. Cespedes drove in one run, scored once, and stole one base. Tyler McDonough and Nelly Taylor also homered, with the former crushing a solo shot and the latter a two-run blast. Taylor drew a bases-loaded walk to give him three RBI on the night. Henry Godbout picked up his first Double-A hit, adding a run and a stolen base. Nate Baez, who had one RBI, and Max Ferguson, who scored one run, combined for five walks.
Devin Futrell got the start and picked up his first Double-A win after allowing two earned runs on five hits, no walks, one hit by pitch, and eight strikeouts over five solid innings. He threw 87 pitches (59 strikes) and generated 11 whiffs. In relief of Futrell, Cooper Adams struck out two across 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Tyler Davis then tossed 1 1/3 scoreless frames to end it.
With the win, which snaps a three-game losing streak, Portland moves to within two games of Reading for first place in the Eastern League Northeast second-half standings.
-----
Isaiah Jackson stayed hot at the plate for Greenville, going 2 for 4 with his 18th home run of the season, two RBI, and two runs scored. Gerardo Rodriguez, who scored once, and Stanley Tucker, who scored once and stole one base, each drove in two runs as well. Justin Gonzales went 1 for 4 with one RBI, one run scored, and two stolen bases. Carlos Gutierrez scored once and stole one base. Maximus Martin drove in one run and scored another.
Jason Gilman went four innings in his start, allowing two earned runs on three hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He threw 71 pitches (42 strikes) and generated 15 whiffs. Luis Cohen followed by striking out four and giving up just one unearned run over three innings of relief to secure the winning decision. Calvin Bickerstaff then closed things out with two scoreless frames.
With the win, Greenville remains a half-game back of Winston-Salem in the second-half standings for a spot in the South Atlantic League playoffs.
-----
Kleyver Salazar and Anderson Fermin accounted for half of Salem's hits. Salazar went 2 for 4 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Fermin went 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run scored. Andruw Musett crushed a three-run home run for his only hit of the night. Andrews Opata and Skylar King both had one RBI, two runs, and one walk, with the former adding a triple. Franklin Primera doubled in one run and drew one walk. Wills Maginnis went 1 for 3 with his first professional RBI and stolen base. He also scored twice and drew two walks.
Leighton Finley went four innings in his start, allowing one earned run on five hits, four walks, and three strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches (50 strikes) and generated 10 whiffs. In relief of Finley, Nicolas De La Cruz picked up the win despite giving up two runs in 2 2/3 innings. Wuilliams Rodriguez followed with 2 1/3 scoreless frames to wrap things up.
With the win, Salem remains 1 1/2 games behind Fayetteville for first place in the Carolina League North second-half standings.
-----
Miguel Welch led the way offensively for the Blue squad, going 3 for 4 with one double, two runs scored, one stolen base, and one walk. Eber Miranda also had three hits. Isaac Velasquez went 2 for 3 with one RBI, one run scored, and one walk. Santiago Yanes doubled, drove in one run, and scored another. Freyerso Vasquez recorded two RBI. On the mound, Jesus Lopez got the start and tossed a scoreless first inning. Of the four relievers that followed, only Angel Lopez kept the opposition off the board, as he fired 1 2/3 scoreless frames.
-----
Player of the Day: Like Franklin Arias the night before, Jack Winnay finished a triple shy of the cycle on Friday. The 23-year-old corner infielder has held his own since moving up to Portland in late June and is now batting .276/.370/.448 with eight doubles, five home runs, 13 RBI, 22 runs scored, 17 walks, and 33 strikeouts in 38 games (154 plate appearances) for the Sea Dogs this season. He is currently ranked as the organization's No. 20 prospect.
Photo Credit: Jack Winnay by Kelly O'Connor