August 6, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: McDonough homers twice in 9th; Arias keeps rolling
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Franklin Arias and the WooSox keep cruising. Arias extended his hitting streak to seven games as Worcester won for the 12th time in its last 14 contests. Arias wasted little time extending the streak, ripping a base hit in the first inning. He added another single and a two-run homer to finish 3 for 4 on the evening, scoring and driving in three apiece. The home run was his system-leading 22nd of the season and third since his promotion from Portland. Nate Eaton was 2 for 4 with a double, triple, and four RBI, while Mickey Gasper led off the seventh inning with a homer.
John Holobetz fired four shutout innings in his introduction to Polar Park, scattering five hits and striking out two without issuing a walk. He's allowed one run in 10 innings in his two Triple-A outings. Hobie Harris struck out three in two perfect innings of relief to get credit for the win. The IronPigs ended the shutout bid as Tayler Samaniego allowed a run in the seventh before Devin Sweet came on to close out the victory with two scoreless frames.
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This was a closer contest than the final score indicated, as Portland blew things open with an eight-run eighth inning. Tyler McDonough led off the frame with a solo homer to open the lead to 8-4, then blasted a three-run shot to bookend the rally. McDonough finished 3 for 5 with a walk and five runs driven in. Matt Frazier also had five RBI and chipped in a pair of doubles as part of his 4-for-5 afternoon. Will Turner added a solo homer and a pair of walks, while Ahbram Liendo was 2 for 4 with a walk, steal, and two runs scored. Dalton Rogers got the start, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Max Carlson was credited with the win in relief after surrendering one run in three frames. Jedixson Paez came in to pitch the final 1 1/3 on just three days of rest after his Saturday start. Paez allowed one base hit and struck out three of the five batters he faced to record the save.
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The Drive fell into an early deficit, and any hopes of a late rally were dashed when the game was called due to rain after seven innings. Marcus Phillips is still searching for his first professional win, as he allowed six runs (five earned) in 3 1/3 innings. He did show solid control in the outing, walking only one batter and throwing 44 of 66 pitches for strikes. Phillips struck out four. Gerardo Rodriguez led the way at the plate with two hits, a walk, and a run scored.
The loss ends Greenville's winning streak at eight games, and its advantage in the South Atlantic League playoff chase falls to just one game.
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After allowing two runs in the top of the first, Salem responded with an immediate six-run rally and did not look back. Avinson Pinto blasted a grand slam that gave the RidgeYaks a lead they would not relinquish. It was Pinto's fifth homer of the season and the first slam of his professional career. It didn't come easy for Franklin Primera, but he reached base four times in the win. He singled once and was hit with three pitches. Ilan Fernandez drove in a pair as part of his 2-for-4 evening, while Starlyn Nunez and Louis Andujar had two hits apiece.
Christian Foutch settled in nicely after surrendering those two runs in the first. He finished four frames having allowed just those two scores. Foutch struck out six and walked three. Caden Vire struck out two and allowed one hit in 1 1/3 to record the victory. Vire took the long road to his first professional win, as he was making just his 26th appearance since being drafted in the 12th round of the 2021 draft by Milwaukee. The 6-foot-6 lefty was a minor league Rule 5 pick of the Red Sox in December after missing the entire 2025 season following Tommy John Surgery. Luis Cohen allowed a run on one hit in three innings, striking out four and walking one, and Jay Allmer recorded the final two outs for Salem.
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Player of the Day: On a Wednesday with several strong candidates, including perpetual nominee Franklin Arias, the nod goes to Tyler McDonough. McDonough managed the rare feat of homering twice in the same inning as Portland blew open its victory in Manchester. The veteran utilityman has 14 homers between Portland and Worcester, more than doubling his previous career best mark. The 2021 third-round pick is one of only three members for the Red Sox draft class who remain in the organization, joining Nathan Hickey and Wyatt Olds.
Photo Credit: Tyler McDonough by Kelly O'Connor