Worcester: W, 4-1 (BOX SCORE)
The pitching staff did an awesome job of shutting the Tides (Orioles AAA) down and it’s at least a little bit notable that Tyler Uberstine took the ninth here in a save situation here. Raymond Burgos put the WooSox in a great situation through five allowing just two baserunners and getting through those five innings in just 65 pitches. Tsung Che Cheng had the only extra-base hit of the entire game in the fifth and that was the frame Worcester broke through and increased the lead.
Curiosity of curiosities:
Franklin Arias was given the day off. Not sure if that means anything… until it does?
Portland: W, 12-2 (BOX SCORE)
Another start, another impressive outing on Sunday afternoon for Gage Ziehl. He struck eight Senators (Nationals AA) out and threw six innings of one-run ball. Though he’s mostly had quality starts the last few months, this is the first time since June 7 he pitched into the fifth, and he dug deep and threw 54 strikes in 72 pitches. This length was aided by the Sea Dogs scoring 4 runs in the fourth through Matt Frazier’s bases clearing double, and once Ziehl’s day was done, that’s when the Sea Dogs offense exploded for eight runs including a three-run shot by Ronald Rosario, his eleventh of the year. Game was never in much doubt… or any at all… following the Sea Dogs hitting around the lineup.
Greenville: W, 11-7 (BOX SCORE)
Look who’s come to play the last few afternoons in Asheville! (Astros High-A) Jake Schaffner, the lder out of North Carolina who was drafted a few short weeks ago, had the game’s only triple, a knock that scored 3 runs and tilted the game on its head with a .330 WPA that gave the Drive a 78% winning percentage expected. And how about fellow Tar Heel-turned-Red Sox prospect Owen Hull, who added three knocks for a total of five in two games! The team as a whole sported five hits with runners in scoring position including that dribbler into the outfield, and the capitalization was a huge reason why Greenville won the high-scoring affair. Matt McShane and Calvin Bickerstaff slamming the door in relief, allowing just three hits between them in the last thirteen outs, is another huge reason.
Salem, Game 1: L, 4-8 (BOX SCORE)
The lone loser in this one, the RidgeYaks were primed for a Sunday afternoon W in Kannapolis (White Sox A) until the CannonBallers got all 8 of their runs in the last two innings of the game including 6 in the 9th. Before that, though, Williams Montero was playing scoreless ball despite a short leash, being pulled in the fourth. Skylar King looks really good at the plate, and Sunday was no exception as the 2025 draft pick hit a home run and added a knock. But the RidgeYaks stranding eleven for sure did not help matters.
