August 22, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Guzman, Primera roll, but RidgeYaks fall short
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Worcester was held hitless into the eighth inning, but came back to knot the score at 3-3 before Syracuse walked it off in the ninth. The WooSox' first hit scored their first two runs, as Franklin Arias ripped a one-out double that scored Nate Baez and Nate Eaton, who both had walked. In the ninth, Romy Gonzalez doubled and then came on to score on an Allan Castro base hit. Trevor Story continued his rehab assignment, going 0 for 4 with a pair of strikeouts. Starter Blake Wehunt went 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits. He walked four, struck out four, and hit a batter. Hobie Harris continued his run of solid relief work, striking out a pair and allowing one hit in 1 1/3 innings. It was the fourth straight scoreless outing for the veteran righty, and he has allowed just one run in his last nine appearances. Sam McWilliams allowed a run in the ninth to take the loss.
The loss drops the WooSox into sixth place, 2 1/2 games behind first-place Indianapolis, in the jumbled International League playoff race.
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The Sea Dogs fell at Hadlock despite a strong effort from starter Devin Futrell. The left-hander surrendered a home run to start the game but quickly settled in. He went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out four and walking one. Tyler Davis took the loss in relief as Reading reached him for three runs in two frames. Erik Rivera struck out a pair of batters in a perfect ninth. Roman Anthony continued his rehab assignment, getting the start at designated hitter and going 1 for 3 with a double and a sacrifice fly. It was Anthony's first time playing in back-to-back contests during his stint. Justin Gonzales continued his hot start at Double-A, going 2 for 4 with a triple and two runs scored.
Reading opened up a 2 1/2 game lead over Portland in the Northeast Division race with the win. Somerset and Binghamton also won on Friday, pulling into a three-way tie with the Sea Dogs for second place.
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The Drive jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a Maximus Martin home run before the rains came and paused Friday's contest. Dylan Brown had cruised through three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four without issuing a walk. The game will be completed before Saturday's regularly scheduled contest.
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Salem fell short as it tried to crawl out of an early seven-run hole. Adonys Guzman led the way at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a home run, double, and two RBI. Franklin Primera continues to be an on-base machine. As the designated hitter on Friday, he was 2 for 4 with a walk, RBI, and run scored. He is hitting .429/.579/.714 in August. Anderson Fermin also doubled as part of a two-hit evening. Leighton Finley took the loss, allowing seven runs in 4 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking two. Undrafted free agent Carson Revay walked the tightrope in his professional debut, allowing three hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings, but he managed to escape without allowing a run. Cam Padgett struck out three and walked one as he fired three innings of hitless relief.
With the loss, Salem falls to 4 1/2 games behind red-hot Fayetteville in the North Division race, with Wilson moving into sole possession of second place.
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Player of the Day: Adonys Guzman entered the Wilson series on a 3-for-25 skid, but has gotten back on track against the Warbirds. In two starts, he is 5 for 7 with three walks, four RBI, and four runs scored. Guzman, part of the five-player deal that sent Jhostynxson Garcia to Pittsburgh in exchange for Johan Oviedo, is hitting .257/.370/.447 in his first professional season between Salem and Greenville.
Photo Credit: Adonys Guzman by Kelly O'Connor