September 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Godbout homers twice as Portland bests Eyanson, Chesapeake
-----
This game was suspended in the top of the 10th inning due to rain. It will resume at 5:05 p.m. ET Friday evening and be followed by Friday's regularly scheduled nine-inning contest.
Before the skies opened, Blake Wehunt put together a solid start for Worcester, allowing only one earned run on seven hits, one walk, and six strikeouts over six quality innings. He threw 84 pitches (62 strikes) and generated eight whiffs. In relief of Wehunt, Angel Bastardo tossed a scoreless bottom of the seventh, while John Brebbia and Hobie Harris each gave up a run in their respective innings of work.
On the flip side, Romy Gonzalez led the way offensively, going 4 for 5 with one RBI. Mikey Romero went 3 for 5 with one double, one RBI, and one run scored. Franklin Arias and Vinny Capra each had two hits, with the former driving in one run and the latter scoring once and stealing one base. Braiden Ward doubled, scored once, and drew one walk.
With no result on Thursday, Worcester still trails Rochester by three games for first place in the International League second-half standings.
-----
Devin Futrell had an interesting start for Portland, allowing four earned runs on 13 hits (including one home run), no walks, and six strikeouts over six innings. He threw 79 pitches (60 strikes) and generated 10 whiffs. Max Carlson (who picked up the win) and Caleb Bolden (who picked up the save) combined for three scoreless frames of relief.
Henry Godbout was the star at the plate for Portland, going 3 for 4 with one double, two home runs, two RBI, and two runs scored. Brooks Brannon and Max Ferguson each went 2 for 4 with a solo home run. Brannon's 21st big fly of the season came off old friend Anthony Eyanson. Tyler McDonough doubled and scored one run as part of a 2-for-5 night.
With the win, Portland remains 5 1/2 games back of Reading for first place in the Eastern League Northeast second-half standings.
-----
Dylan Brown went 5 1/3 innings in his start for Greenville, allowing three earned runs on eight hits, no walks, and eight strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches (57 strikes) and generated 17 whiffs. In relief of Brown, Luis Cohen and Matt McShane (who took the loss after giving up a walk-off home run) combined to surrender an additional four runs (three earned) across 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. At the plate, Ronny Hernandez stood out by going 2 for 4 with his 14th homer of the season, one RBI, and two runs scored. Nazzan Zanetello and Givian Sirvania each crushed a two-run shot as well. Stanley Tucker doubled, scored one run, and stole one base. Skylar King also doubled in one run, scoring Antonio Anderson.
Following Thursday's loss, Greenville now trails Winston-Salem by 2 1/2 games for first place in the South Atlantic League South second-half standings with only three games left to play.
-----
Cole Tolbert tossed a career-high 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his start for Salem, scattering four hits, no walks, and one hit-by-pitch. He threw 63 pitches (48 strikes) and generated nine whiffs. Nicholas Judice followed out of the bullpen with 1 2/3 additional scoreless frames, while Wuilliams Rodriguez took the loss after giving up a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning. Offensively, Franklin Primera went 2 for 4 with a pair of singles. Martin Shelar doubled for his only hit. Starlyn Nunez stole his 21st base of the year.
-----
Player of the Day: Henry Godbout gets the nod for putting together the first multi-homer game of his professional career. The 22-year-old infielder has now homered seven times in 17 games (75 plate appearances) since being promoted to Portland on August 11, bringing his season total up to 14. He is currently ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the organization.
Photo Credit: Henry Godbout by Kelly O'Connor