WooSox Open Iowa Series with Power, Poise, and Timely Hits

By Tiffany Williams –

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Worcester Red Sox not only opened their series in Iowa with a win, they also broke new ground in their first game in Des Moines since 1990. Tuesday night’s 7-4 victory over the Iowa Cubs was a microcosm of the WooSox’s recent style of play—an explosive offense at the top of the order, timely production from the middle, and enough bullpen resilience to hold on in high-leverage spots.

For the first three innings, the game had the feel of a pitcher’s duel, with Tyler Uberstine matching Iowa’s Chris Kachmar pitch for pitch. The stalemate ended abruptly in the fourth, when Nate Eaton and Mikey Romero turned back-to-back first-pitch swings into tape-measure home runs. Eaton’s 413-foot blast to center set the tone, and Romero’s 426-foot shot off the right-field scoreboard was a clear statement from a player still acclimating to Triple-A but already showing legitimate power.

The momentum was tested almost immediately. In the fifth, Iowa’s top prospect Owen Caissie delivered a game-tying, two-run homer, his quick hands punishing a mistake pitch from Uberstine. Yet Worcester’s offense refused to drift. In the sixth, doubles by Kristian Campbell and Eaton set up Romero for a sacrifice fly, regaining the lead. Romero’s ability to produce in run-scoring situations has been a notable boost since his promotion, and this marked his second game with three or more RBIs at the level.

Uberstine’s night ended in the sixth with two runners aboard, and the transition to the bullpen was tense. Zack Kelly allowed a game-tying RBI double to James Triantos but responded with a groundout and strikeout to keep the game knotted. Uberstine’s line—5.1 innings, seven strikeouts, and three earned runs—was solid, especially given Iowa’s knack for exploiting defensive lapses and capitalizing on mistakes.

The seventh inning proved decisive. Nick Sogard’s hustle in beating out a grounder extended the inning, Jhostynxon Garcia’s disciplined walk added traffic, and Campbell’s two-strike, opposite-field single brought Sogard home for a 4-3 lead. That small-ball execution contrasted with the long-ball fireworks from earlier, showing Worcester’s ability to manufacture runs late.

Insurance came in emphatic fashion in the ninth. With the bases loaded, Eaton roped a 100 mph line drive into the right-center gap, clearing the bases for a three-run triple that broke the game open. It was the kind of hit that not only padded the lead but also drained momentum from an Iowa team that had answered back twice earlier.

David Sandlin’s eighth-inning relief appearance was a reminder of the WooSox’s ongoing bullpen depth experiment. He walked three but flashed upper-90s velocity, closing his outing with a 99.9 mph strikeout that hinted at untapped potential. Hobie Harris worked the final four outs, surrendering a run in the ninth but ultimately nailing down the franchise’s first win in Iowa.

This game carried more than just statistical value. It reinforced the WooSox’s pattern of thriving in midweek openers, showcased their top-of-the-order firepower, and demonstrated that even when opponents punch back, Worcester has the lineup depth and situational execution to respond. With Kyle Harrison set to face MLB rehabber Jameson Taillon on Wednesday afternoon, the club will have a chance to build early momentum in a series that could shape the tone of their August push.