August 26, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Paez strikes out eight, Anthony homers in WooSox win
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After spending a week in Portland, Roman Anthony took the next step in his rehab assignment as he jumped up Worcester on Tuesday night. Anthony was right in the middle of the action, crushing a two-run homer to give the WooSox the lead in a pivotal seventh-inning rally, and going 2 for 4 with a walk on the night. Franklin Arias also ripped an RBI double and Kristian Campbell delivered an RBI single in that five-run rally. Arias was 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the game. Also in the WooSox lineup on rehab assignments, Isiah Kiner-Falefa went 1 for 3 with a double and two walks and Trevor Story went 0 for 4 with a walk and two strikeouts.
Making his third start at the Triple-A level, Jedixson Paez was excellent as he struck out eight batters while allowing just one baserunner in five innings of work. Unfortunately, that sole baserunner came in the form of a solo home run off the bat of Marco Luciano. Patrick Halligan struggled as the first man out of the bullpen, surrendering three runs in 2/3 of an inning. John Brebbia worked a scoreless 1 1/3 innings before turning the ball over to Angel Bastardo, who allowed a run in an inning while striking out a batter. Hobie Harris pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save. Despite the win, the WooSox were unable to gain any ground in the International League postseason hunt as they remain 3.5 games out.
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Justin Gonzales continued his hot streak since being promoted to Double-A, as he smashed a two-run homer in the fifth inning and went 2 for 4 with a walk overall. Gonzales also drove in a run on a single as part of a four-run sixth inning, which was highlighted by a two-run single to tie the game off the bat of Henry Godbout. Godbout was 1 for 3 with two walks, as he is now hitting .179/.238/.410 through his first 10 games in Portland. Johanfran Garcia went 3 for 4 with a walk and an RBI.
Starting pitcher Dalton Rogers was hit hard by the Richmond bats as he allowed six runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings, walking five batters and giving up six hits. Tyler Davis surrendered two runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief while Erik Rivera was dominant through two frames, striking out four batters without allowing a baserunner. With their fifth consecutive loss, the Sea Dogs are now 5.5 games out of a playoff spot.
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Boston's first two picks in the 2026 draft led Greenville to a thrilling win on Tuesday night. Jake Schaffner brought the Drive within a run with an RBI single in the seventh and then did it again in the ninth before Owen Hull drilled a two-run walkoff double. Both Schaffner and Hull were 2 for 5 in the game. Yophery Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored. Jacob Mayers pitched the first three innings of the game and struggled with his control, walking four batters and allowing three runs. Brady Tygart was fantastic in a bulk relief role, working six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) while fanning nine batters. In 17 1/3 innings with Greenville, Tygart now has a 3.12 ERA and 24 strikeouts. Greenville is 2.5 games out of a playoff spot.
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Salem got off to a quick start, as Josue Brito blasted a two-run homer in the first inning, but those were the only runs they would score on the night. Adonys Guzman was the only other RidgeYak to reach base multiple times, going 1 for 2 with a double and a walk. Cole Tolbert was great through 3 2/3 shutout innings, striking out four batters while allowing two hits and two walks. Cam Padgett followed him out of the bullpen and gave up two runs in two innings, though he did strike out four batters. Yermain Ruiz tossed 2 1/3 frames of relief and allowed a run on two hits. Salem fell to 6.5 games behind Fayetteville in their playoff hunt.
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Player of the Day: Jedixson Paez had his best stuff working on Tuesday night, as he struck out eight batters and induced 14 swings and misses. He was perfect outside of allowing a home run in his fifth inning of work. Paez has been impressive in 12 1/3 innings since being promoted to Worcester, striking out 18 batters against two walks while surrendering four runs. The No. 17 prospect in the system, Paez recorded a 4.41 ERA in 49 innings with Portland prior to his promotion.
Photo Credit: Jedixson Paez by Kelly O'Connor