September 11, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: McDonough clubs 20th homer of season; White finishes triple shy of cycle
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Franklin Arias and Tyler McDonough accounted for half of Worcester's eight hits. Arias went 2 for 4 with two RBI, one run scored, one stolen base, and one walk. McDonough went 2 for 4 with his 20th home run of the season overall, two RBI, and two runs scored. Nathan Hickey also drove in two runs, adding a run and a walk. Braiden Ward drew two walks, scored one run, and stole his 57th base of the year, tying him with David Hamilton for the Red Sox' Triple-A organizational record.
Blake Wehunt went six innings and picked up the win in his start for Worcester, allowing two earned runs on two hits (including one home run), three walks, and four strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches (50 strikes) and generated 12 whiffs. Tyler Samaniego struck out three across two scoreless frames of relief, while Osvaldo Berrios gave up two runs in the ninth before closing things out.
With the victory, Worcester remains two games back of Rochester for first place in the International League second-half standings.
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A six-run eighth inning for Portland turned this one into a laugher. Mason White finished a triple shy of the cycle, going 3 for 3 with one double, one home run, one RBI, four runs scored, one stolen base, and two walks. Ronald Rosario went 2 for 4 with his 15th home run of the season, three RBI, and two runs scored. Ahbram Liendo clubbed a grand slam, while Caden Rose added a three-run homer. Brooks Brannon and Johanfran Garcia both doubled and scored a run, with the latter driving in another. Isaiah Jackson scored one run, stole one base, and drew two walks.
Devin Futrell went 3 2/3 innings in his final start of the season for Portland, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits (including one home run), no walks, and five strikeouts. He threw 65 pitches (40 strikes) and generated 13 whiffs. Tyler Davis and Caleb Bolden combined for eight additional strikeouts over the next 4 1/3 innings in which only one unearned run was given up. Erik Rivera surrendered two runs in the ninth but held on to end it.
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Player of the Day: Mason White gets the nod for reaching base in all five of his plate appearances on Thursday night. The 22-year-old infielder is now batting .218/.336/.396 with four doubles, one triple, four home runs, 13 RBI, 18 runs scored, two stolen bases, 18 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 31 games (122 plate appearances) since being promoted to Portland in late July. He is currently ranked as the organization's No. 27 prospect.
Photo Credit: Mason White by Kelly O'Connor