Red Sox Minor League Report: Portland’s Pitching Staff Impresses In Season-Ending Win

[Ben Lofy]

Boston Red Sox Affiliate Recap

Triple-A Worcester Red Sox

Series @ Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies): 2-3
Season Record: 72-65

Despite outhitting Lehigh Valley 8-7, Worcester failed to capitalize with runners in scoring position as it lost 7-5. 

Michael Sansone struggled through a 3⅔ inning start, allowing six runs on five hits and issuing four walks. He struck out three, but was unable to quell an offensive uprising. Patrick Halligan took over with two outs in the fourth and was much better. He issued a walk but kept the IronPigs hitless over 1⅓ innings, striking out a pair. John Brebbia came in next, throwing a frame of one-run ball. He gave up a pair of hits and issued another pair of walks, but kept the game within reach. Then, Angel Bastardo threw ⅔ of an inning of hitless relief, walking one before being replaced by Hobie Harris. Harris closed the eight-inning matchup with ease, walking one and striking out another over an inning and ⅓.

Braiden Ward led the WooSox offense with three hits and two runs while Allan Castro led the way with two RBIs. Castro’s first RBI came in the first inning when he took a ball deep to center field, giving Worcester an early one-run advantage. Down 4-1 in the fourth, Tsung-Che Cheng drove in Max Ferguson on a triple before scoring on a Tomas Nido groundout. Down by one, Ward would even the score with a solo shot to right center. Down three in the seventh, Castro scored Ward on a groundout, but the WooSox couldn’t catch the IronPigs as they fell 7-5.

Double-A Portland Sea Dogs

Series vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets): 4-1
Season Record: 71-65

Portland finished the season with a win in what was supposed to be its penultimate game of the 2026 season, as its season finale was canceled due to rain.

It was a low-scoring affair as the Sea Dogs beat out the Rumble Ponies 1-0 in a pitching battle. Morgan McSweeney made his final start of the year a good one, and maybe his best. He spun seven shutout frames, letting up just four hits and a walk. He struck out five as he ended the season on a high note. Steven Brooks finished the Sea Dogs season in perfect fashion. He hurled two perfect frames and struck out four. 

Portland’s offense wasn’t as outstanding as the pitching, but it got the job done. Ahbram Liendo was the only Sea Dog to record a multi-hit game as only seven batters reached. Will Turner, Brooks Brannon, and Caden Rose each recorded a hit. Turner hit out of the leadoff spot, and wasted no time putting Portland on the board. His leadoff homer in the first inning proved to be the difference as neither team could put a run across home in the ensuing eight frames.

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