Cup of Coffee: Cheng, Romero spur Worcester comeback
0
2
4/2 Cup of Coffee: The WooSox didn't draw 20 walks like they did in Tuesday's series opener, but three players with three-hit games was enough to come away with the win. Worcester will get some company on the schedule Thursday, as Greenville and Salem both open the Class A schedule.
-----
Far from Tuesday's walk in the park, Worcester fell into an early hole before clawing its way back to the comeback win. Starter Jack Anderson surrendered a grand slam to highly-touted Twins outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez in the third inning, giving the Saints a 4-0 advantage. The WooSox responded in the fourth with a Tsung-Che Cheng (pictured) solo homer. Cheng added a pair of singles and a stolen base, as well as executing a ninth-inning squeeze play that knotted the game at 4-4. Matt Thaiss followed with a go-ahead single, his third knock of the game. Mikey Romero made loud contact all afternoon with a double, two singles, and two 113-mph lineouts.
Outstanding work by the Worcester bullpen shut down the Saints following that third-inning blast. Noah Song went 1 1/3, striking out one and walking one. Zack Kelly and Tyler Samaniego worked a scoreless frame apiece, while Wyatt Olds went the final two, striking out three, to earn his second victory of the year.
-----
Greenville and Salem both kick off their seasons on Thursday. The Drive will host the Greensboro Grasshoppers (PIT) in a shortened series, while the RidgeYaks era begins in Salem against the Delmarva Shorebirds (BAL). Portland follows with its season opener on the road in Somerset (NYY) on Friday.
-----
Player of the Day: It was an all-around strong performance for Tsung-Che Cheng, who played both the longball with a solo homer and small ball with a stolen base and a bunt squeeze. Originally signed as an international free agent by Pittsburgh back in 2019, Cheng reached the majors for three games in 2025 with the Pirates. Designated for assignment at the end of last season, Boston nabbed him on waivers as an important piece of its infield depth.
Photo Credit: Kelly O'Connor