Worcester, MA – The Worcester Red Sox began their final series and homestand of the season on Tuesday night at Polar Park in rousing fashion - rallying to tie the game vs. the Durham Bulls with two outs in the 8th inning and then winning it with 2 outs in the 10th inning, 2-1.
Allan Castro, who belted a 2-run HR in the top of the 9th inning to give the WooSox an 8-7 win at Lehigh Valley in their last game on Sunday, was the hero again as he laced a 2-out, RBI single to right field to plate Max Ferguson with the game winning run in the first of six home games this week/weekend vs. Durham (AAA-Tampa Bay).
It was the first meeting between the teams this year and was a thrilling opener to a series that continues Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights (all at 6:05 pm) and then over the weekend on Saturday at 4:05 pm and Sunday in the season finale at 1:05 pm. All of these games take place during what again is being affectionately called “Fan Appreciation Week/Weekend” at Polar Park in a tribute to all of WooSox Nation.
The WooSox (38-30 in the 2nd half and 74-65 overall) kept their playoff hopes alive with just five games remaining in the regular season. Worcester is two games behind both Rochester & Indianapolis who are in a virtual tie for 1st-place and the one playoff spot that comes with the best winning pct. in the 2nd half of the International League season.
Starting pitchers Jedixson Paez for Worcester and Mason Englert for Durham were both outstanding. Paez went 6-innings and allowed just 1 run on 3 hits with no walks and 4 strikeouts. His only blemish was a solo HR to Durham catcher Caden Bodine with one out in the top of the 1st inning.
Englert made that run hold up through 7 shutout innings. WooSox DH Romy Gonzalez ripped a double leading off the 2nd inning, catcher Tomas Nido doubled off the leftfield wall in the 4th inning but was doubled-up at second after a Nathan Hickey lineout, and Allan Castro singled in the 6th inning but did not advance. Englert went 7 full yielding just those 3 hits with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. Englert was also helped by three sparking defensive plays by Bulls SS Jadher Areinamo.
Tanner Houck relieved Paez to start the 7th inning and struck out the Durham side around only a one-out walk in an impressive 22-pitch rehab outing. Houck has been on Boston’s injured list since February 10 as he recovers from right UCL surgery on August 18, 2025. Tanner, a 2024 American League All-Star with the Red Sox, made two rehab starts for Portland this month and is expected to pitch again for the WooSox this Saturday at Polar Park.
Worcester tied the game with their first run in the 8th inning charged to Durham reliever Evan Reifert. Hickey drew a one out walk, pinch-runner Max Ferguson advanced to second on a 2-out single by SS Franklin Arias, and Castro walked to load the bases. The Bulls then made a pitching change turning to hard-throwing righty Alexander Alberto to face red-hot WooSox cleanup batter Romy Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who is hitting .395 in his last 20 games, never swung the bat as he walked on four pitches to force in the tying run.
WooSox reliever Hobie Harris did a terrific job with a scoreless 9th inning and escaping the 10th inning unscathed as well stranding the go-ahead runner at 3rd base by retiring the last three batters in a row. WooSox second baseman Max Ferguson saved a run with a superb over the head catch of a pop-up that appeared destined to be a go-ahead RBI hit. Harris (4-0) became the winner thanks to Castro’s clutch walk-off hit.
Wednesday’s game two begins at 6:05 pm and can be seen on NESN+ and heard on NASH 98.9 FM and The Pike 100.1 FM. RHP Blake Wehunt (3-1, 3.02), who is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in his last four starts, gets the nod for the WooSox against Durham righty Joe Boyle (2-8, 7.97).
As part of ongoing “Fan Appreciation Week” at Polar Park, the WooSox are pleased to offer the following initiatives before and during Wednesday’s game…
• For the final First Responder Wednesday in special pre-game ceremonies, the WooSox will recognize the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by honoring several Central Mass first responders who dashed to Manhattan to assist with the tragic aftermath.
• First responders receive four free tickets, courtesy of National Grid, when presenting their credentials at the Ticket Office.
• As part of WWE Night, fans can enjoy a Shake & Take (photos but no autographs) in the Sherwood’s Diner with WWE superstar Carmelo Hayes, a Framingham native. Fans who purchase their tickets at gofevo.com/event/woowwe26 receive a one-of-a-kind John Cena shirt that can be picked up inside the WooSox Team Store.
• The team will pay tribute to Big Brothers Big Sisters, partners in the club’s lauded WooSox Mentors program.
• Fans can enjoy bottomless popcorn and ballpark nachos, and adults can also enjoy $2 12-ounce drafts of Coors Light and Masshole Light Lager.