Cup of Coffee: Witherspoon debuts and Gonzales goes deep in Greenville

4/4 Cup of Coffee: It was tough going on the system's first scheduled slate of full-season games. Three teams combined to allow 40 runs while Worcester was unable to play for a second straight day. Kyson Witherspoon had mixed results in Greenville for his professional debut, while Justin Gonzales (pictured) had a big day at the plate and afield. Salem surrendered a late four-run lead despite the best efforts of Anderson Fermin. Little went right in Portland's season opener as the Sea Dogs were outhit 22 to three in a blowout loss.

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A rainy and cold day in Minnesota made Friday's game unplayable. The teams will make up Thursday's rainout with a doubleheader on Sunday, while the Friday contest will not be scheduled.

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It was a season opener to forget for the Sea Dogs. Blake Wehunt drew the starting assignment coming out of a strong showing in spring training, but he faced just four batters, allowing two homers, a walk, and a fly out before departing with an injury. A quartet of relievers fared little better, giving up 15 runs in 7 2/3 innings. It was a promising start to the season for the organization's top position player prospect, as Franklin Arias went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Max Ferguson hit a solo homer to account for the other Portland score.

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The long-awaited debut of 2025 first-round pick Kyson Witherspoon began auspiciously enough, as he quickly erased a leadoff ground ball single with a 5-4-3 double play. However, several grounders found eyes into the outfield, and he surrendered a solo home run. Overall, Witherspoon gave up four runs on six hits in 3 1/3, striking out two and walking one. He pounded the strike zone, throwing 39 of 60 pitches for strikes. Joe Vogatsky had a strong effort out of the bullpen, giving up just one unearned run in 3 1/3 innings, striking out four without walking a batter. Catcher Hudson White was called in for mop-up duty to pitch a scoreless ninth. 

Justin Gonzales led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer, his first in 13 games with the Drive going back to last year. The system's eighth-ranked player also ripped a pair of singles, driving in another run. It was not only at the plate where he excelled; Gonzales threw out two runners from right field, one at second base and another at third. Yoeilin Cespedes with 3 for 5 with a pair of doubles, while Mason White and Nazzan Zanetello both went deep for the Drive.

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The first loss of the RidgeYak era came after squandering a 10-6 advantage. Anderson Fermin was a catalyst for the offense, hitting a two-run homer, drawing three walks, and scoring three runs. Stanley Tucker had a three-run shot of his own, along with a single, walk, and stolen base. Ty Hodge was on base four times, going 2 for 3 with two walks and three runs scored. Starter Madinson Frias allowed six runs on six hits in 1 2/3. He struck out and walked three apiece. Adam Bates allowed one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless frames of relief.

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Player of the Day: Coming on the heels of his 2025 breakout performance, Justin Gonzales had a monster day Friday. The 19-year-old did not surprise anyone when he blasted a leadoff homer and singled twice. However, for those unfamiliar with the rest of Gonzales' game, the right fielder showed off his strong arm with a pair of outfield assists. Those two match his total in 76 games in the outfield last year.