September 6, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Cup of Coffee: Comebacks abound, Campbell homers
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Worcester had some theatrics on Saturday night, as the WooSox went from down 2-1 to up 4-2 in the top of the eighth with a three-run frame, including a two-run homer by Kristian Campbell, who was 3 for 4. He and Anthony Siegler accounted for five of their team’s eight hits. It was a strong start for Michael Sansone, who struggled with control, walking four over five innings, but got results, as he allowed just one run. Devin Sweet pitched a clean eighth, while Sam McWilliams recorded his first save for Worcester this season, working around a hit with two strikeouts in the ninth.
The win pulled Worcester into third place in the International League playoff hunt, keeping pace two games behind Rochester.
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The Sea Dogs left it to the end, putting up a six-spot in the top of the eighth, after Cheseapeake scored four between the first and second. Portland got a good performance out of leadoff man Tyler McDonough, who was 3 for 4 with two RBI. Will Turner added a pair of singles, as well, while Ronald Rosario knocked a two-run homer. Alex Bouchard ate innings for Portland, contributing five frames, but allowed four runs on four hits. He also walked a hitter, but did strike out three. Steven Brooks (2 1/3 innings) and Erik Rivera (1 2/3 innings finished the game with just one hit allowed.
Portland picked up a game on first-place Reading and now sits 4 1/2 games back. Somerset and Binghamton, tied for second place in the Northeast Division, both won to stay two games ahead of the Sea Dogs.
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It was a four-run sixth that proved the difference for Greenville, as all six of the game’s runs were scored in an inning-and-a-half span. That big frame started the scoring as Ronny Hernandez led the way with a perfect 3 for 3, including a solo while run, while adding a walk. He wasn’t the only Drive hitter to go yard, as Isaiah Jackson and Givian Sirvania also knocked big flies. Barrett Morgan was on the mound and he contributed four shutout innings, scattering just a hit, with two free passes against a trio of strikeouts. Griffin Kilander finished the contest with 2 1/3 no-run frames of his own, allowing two hits, adding four strikeouts.
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Salem got its work done early, scoring a pair in the bottom of the first, adding a trio more in the bottom of the eighth, to take a win on Saturday, holding off a comeback from the Howlers in the ninth, as they loaded the bases, but Yermain Ruiz came out of the bullpen and induced a fly out to end the contest. Franklin Primera and Louis Andujar each had a pair of hits, including Primera’s fifth home run of the year. Adonys Guzman also went yard. Sadbiel Delzine allowed just an unearned run across his four innings of work, striking out six. Jose Bello also contributed nine outs, but walked four and allowed four more hits, resulting in three runs.
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Player of the Day: It’s been a trying couple of seasons for Kristian Campbell, but he’s started to get back on track. While he’s cooled down from his red-hot July, he’s still been a solid presence in the Worcester lineup and has been looking more like the ballplayer that earned a $60 million contract just under 18 months ago, as his added bat speed helped him knock his eighth home run of the season.
Photo Credit: Kristian Campbell by Kelly O'Connor