August 20, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Shelar debuts in Salem as Foutch, Walker combine for one-hitter
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A pair of rehabbing middle infielders helped Worcester pull even in its series in the Salt City. Isiah Kiner-Falefa began his rehab stint batting leadoff and playing second base, going 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. Double play partner Trevor Story slotted into the next spot in the lineup and went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Story could join the major league club as soon as Friday. Fellow veteran Romy Gonzalez blasted a three-run homer as part of Worcester's six-run fifth-inning rally. Franklin Arias did not start but did come on in a key spot in the eighth inning, delivering an insurance run with a pinch hit RBI single. Kristian Campbell reached base three times with a single and a pair of walks.
It was a full-staff effort on the mound, as Worcester turned to six pitchers, none for more than two innings. Seth Martinez got tabbed with opening duty, allowing three runs in two frames. Tyler Samaniego got credit for the win despite allowing two runs in his two innings of work. Hobie Harris pitched a perfect ninth for the save, his seventh scoreless outing in his last eight appearances.
The win helped Worcester keep pace with first place Indianapolis, who also was victorious on Wednesday evening. Worcester, Durham, and St. Paul are in a three-way tie for third place in the International League second-half standings. Rochester, winners of five straight, sit a 1/2 game in front of that trio.
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Three of Portland's six hits left the playing field as the Sea Dogs led from their first at-bat. Justin Gonzales led off the bottom of the first in his second Double-A contest with an opposite field home run. It was the 18th round-tripper of the season for the 19-year-old outfielder and first as a Sea Dog. Later in the first, Henry Godbout ripped a two-run blast. With the lead trimmed to one in the fifth, Tyler McDonough delivered a three-run shot. With 16 on the season, he needs just four more to join Ceddanne Rafaela as the only players with a 20-20 season in the system in the last 10 years.
(Rafaela accomplished the feat twice, in 2022 and 2023. Today's trivia: name the last player to do so before Rafaela. The answer is below the POTD section).
Like Worcester, Portland had a bullpen effort to complete the victory. Steven Brooks got the start for the first time this season, allowing one run on two hits in 2 2/3, striking out five against one walk. Joe Vogatsky went the next 2 1/3 innings to get the win. He gave up one run on four hits, striking out three without walking a batter. Cooper Adams allowed two runs (one earned) in three innings, and Reidis Sena pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
With the win, Portland moves within a half-game of Reading for the lead in the Eastern League's Northeast Division. With four games remaining in the series, Portland has a golden opportunity to leap into the top of the standings.
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Forty years after Roger Clemens struck out 20 batters and thirty years after he did it again, a trio of Greenville hurlers channeled the Rocket, combining to fan 20 on Wednesday at Fluor Field. Jake Mayers had his best start as a professional, allowing just one hit over 3 1/3 innings as he struck out seven and walked three. Brady Tygart did not miss a beat in relief, punching out 10 of the 16 batters he faced over 4 1/3. He allowed a run on two hits while walking one on his way to the winning decision. After getting a ground out to close out the eighth inning, Aaron Nixon struck out the side in the ninth to get the Drive to the 20 strikeout milestone.
At the plate, Luke Heyman was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Yophery Rodriguez drove in a pair with a double in the sixth inning, while Jake Schaffner and Antonio Anderson also doubled for the Drive.
Like the Sea Dogs, the win pulls the Drive within a half game of Winston-Salem in the South Division playoff race.
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The excellent pitching in Class A ball continued, as Christian Foutch and Ethan Walker teamed up for a one-hit shutout. Foutch, Boston's fifth-round pick in 2025, cruised through five innings to get his first professional victory. He allowed a single with two outs in the first inning, the last base hit the Warbirds would record. Foutch faced the minimum over the next 4 1/3, with the one walk he allowed quickly erased on a caught stealing. He struck out three and threw 37 of 52 pitches for strikes. Walker followed with four hitless frames, striking out four against two walks. The former Kentucky Wildcat has 63 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings.
Martin Shelar made his professional debut for the RidgeYaks, going 1 for 5 with a single. The ninth-round pick in July's draft, Shelar hit second and played center field. Andrews Opata blasted a three-run homer, his 10th of the season, as part of his four-RBI effort. Josue Brito went 2 for 4 with a double, walk, and pair of runs scored. Kleyver Salazar also had two hits for Salem.
With the win, Salem moves into sole possession of second place in the North Division, remaining 2 1/2 games behind Fayetteville.
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Player of the Day: It has been an up-and-down first professional season for Christian Foutch, but he has been looking to close it out on a high note. With his five shutout innings on Wednesday, he has allowed just three earned runs in 17 innings over his last four starts (1.59 ERA) while striking out 19. In the process, he has lowered his ERA by nearly a run and a half. The five innings also mark a professional high for the righthander, as he now has more innings pitched this season (62 1/3) than he did in three years at the University of Arkansas (56 2/3).
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Trivia Answer: Keury De La Cruz had 20 homers and 20 steals in 2012 between Greenville and Salem.
Photo Credit: Christian Foutch by Kelly O'Connor