This lineup and box looks better than the actual result of this game. Of the WooSox’s six hits, three were in the ninth inning, and somehow they had the game within grasp despite two errors from players that have been up to the bigs this year (Toro and Kelly) and the bullpen giving up two home runs. Shane Drohan only got to the fourth inning before being pulled, leaving Chad Tracy to do a lot of managing, which must have been tough with no bats. On a lighter note, though, Max Ferguson is adjusting really well to Triple-A pitching; two of his dance partners on the Bulls’ (Rays AAA) pitching have thrown innings in the bigs, and he still managed a double and walk on the night. Expect some form of platoon training from him in 2026.
Portland wins their second convincing game in a row, as they actually led the Yard Goats (Rockies AA) 6-1 going into the ninth. Hayden Mullins again looked solid even with a solo home run allowed. Miguel Bleis actually had the play of the game way back in the first inning when he scored two on a bases-loaded, no-out single. No one knew it yet, but the game was over from that point on. In fact, Bleis’ single was indicative of a greater success in something that the Major League team has struggled with of late: scoring runners with men on. They stranded just three all night and went 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
If Jhostynxon Garcia is the password, Johanfran Garcia has gotta at least be the Captcha. That name is sticking in 2026, mark my words. He belted a walkoff shot in the tenth inning off the Hot Rods (Rays High-A), his ninth in High-A and second time he’s called game with a long ball in a little over a month. before that point, Shea Sprague threw an exceptional four innings in relief, striking out five and keeping the game at arm’s length for Greenville.
A blown save just hurts more when you lose by multiple runs, and assumedly moreso when you hold a lead despite your starting pitcher not playing very well. Salem went into the bottom of the eighth leading the CannonBallers (White Sox A) by a slim margin of 7-6, and their WPE from 64% down to 3% in the span of Kannapolis batting around their lineup. Catcher/DH combo Gerardo Rodriguez stays flying around the basepaths with a triple Friday night and an OPS approaching 1.000. The team as a whole did, actually, with five stolen bases, they just couldn’t translate that to ENOUGH runs to put Kannapolis away.