Cup of Coffee: Arias homers again as scorching start continues

4/16 Cup of Coffee: Portland picked up the system's only victory on a full Wednesday docket. Franklin Arias (pictured) scored four of the eight Sea Dogs runs, backing a strong picthing effort from Gage Ziehl. Salem and Worcester both fell for a second consecutive day, while four home runs were not enough for Greenville to emerge with a win. 

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Worcester has been handed consecutive losses for the first time on the young season, dropping its second straight in Nashville. Allan Castro gave the WooSox an early advantage on an RBI single in the first inning, one of two hits he had on the night. Castro is now 7 for 17 during a five-game hitting streak. Vinny Capra was on base three times, going 1 for 3 with a pair of walks, and Tsung-Che Cheng also worked two free passes. Alec Gamboa drew the start in his organizational debut, allowing three runs across three innings. Tayron Guerrero had another scoreless appearance out of the bullpen, his fifth straight to start 2026.

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Franklin Arias was the story once again as the Sea Dogs held off the still-winless Curve. Arias blasted the second pitch of the game for a home run, his second in as many nights. He added a single, a pair of walks, and a stolen base, scoring each of the four times he reached. The 20-year-old shortstop now has five multi-hit games in seven starts. Will Turner matched Arias's 2-for-3 effort, adding two walks and a triple. Tyler McDonough was 3 for 4 with a double, Nate Baez and Marvin Alcantara also doubled as part of their two-hit evenings. 

On the mound, Gage Ziehl turned in a strong effort in his second start of the year. The right-hander scattered four hits across five scoreless frames, striking out six against two walks. Michael Sansone did not allow a hit in his 1 1/3, striking out one and walking one as he picked up the save.

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Greenville delivered four home runs on Wednesday, but all were solo shots as the Drive fell short. Henry Godbout went deep in the first, and was followed two batters later by a Mason White blast. Jack Winnay and Adonys Guzman also homered. It was the third round-tripper of the year for White, while the other three had not homered yet this season. Luis Cohen got the start, allowing four runs in four innings to take the loss. Alex Bouchard had a solid outing in relief, surrendering one run in 3 1/3 frames. His outing had a scary end as he was struck in the head with a line drive, but he was fortunately able to walk off the field on his own. 

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Hickory hosted some Carolina League brunch baseball with the 11:00 a.m. contest. Salem struck first with an Ilan Fernandez three-run homer in the second inning, but the RidgeYak lineup was held to just four hits on the day. Enddy Azocar had the only other extra-base knock when he doubled for the third time on the year. Jake Mayers struggled with his control as he walked five batters against three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings. Overall, the 2025 ninth-round pick surrendered three runs (two earned) on two hits. Myles Patton went 4 2/3 frames out of the bullpen, with the only run he allowed coming on a solo homer. Patton struck out three and walked one. Hickory snapped a 4-4 tie with an eighth-inning run off of Gilbel Galvan, saddling the 19-year-old righty with the loss.

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Player of the Day: Franklin Arias appears yet again in this space as he continues to batter Eastern League pitching. After reaching base four more times Wednesday, including a leadoff home run, he now sports a slash line of .542/.613/.875 through eight games. He has driven in eight runs and scored seven while striking out only twice. Arias is currently the top-ranked position player in the system.