July 23, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Garcia brothers dominate; Jhostynxon homers twice while Johanfran hits walkoff blast
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Jhostynxon Garcia was the star of the WooSox win and he got the team off to a quick start with a two-run homer in the first inning. The Password delivered another two-run blast in the fifth inning and he was 3 for 4 with three runs scored overall. Seby Zavala hit a two-run homer of his own in the second inning and added a sacrifice fly as part of a productive game. Nate Eaton joined the club with a two-run homer in the fifth and he was 2 for 4 with three RBI in the game. Kristian Campbell played first base and reached base in four of his five plate appearances, going 1 for 2 with three walks and scoring three runs.
Kyle Harrison turned in his best start since being acquired from the Giants, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out five batters in six innings. Harrison now has a 4.76 ERA through 22 2/3 innings with 20 strikeouts and nine walks. The bullpen followed up Harrison's impressive performance with a trio of scoreless innings from Bryan Mata, Austin Adams, and Wyatt Olds.
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Down to their last out and on the verge of being shut out in Richmond, Zach Ehrhard wallopped a two-run homer to tie the game and keep the Sea Dogs' hopes alive. Mikey Romero put Portland ahead for good in the top of the 11th, bouncing a single over the head of the second baseman to drive in the go-ahead run. Romero, the 12th-ranked prospect in the system, was 2 for 5 om the night and is now hitting .270/.326/.471 through 60 games in Portland.
Hayden Mullins started on the mound for the Sea Dogs and tossed four strong innings. He struck out seven batters and allowed one run on three hits and two walks, lowering his ERA to 2.45. Jack Anderson followed him with three solid frames, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while punching out three. Zach Bryant and Jorge Juan finished the game with two shutout innings each, with Juan picking up the win in extra innings.
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Johanfran Garcia capped off a thrilling comeback win with a two-run walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth. He was 1 for 4 on the night and this was his second home run in Greenville this season. After falling behind 3-0 early, the Drive picked up their first run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Nelly Taylor. Franklin Arias cut the deficit with an RBI single in the eighth as part of a 2-for-4 game.
Noah Dean struggled with his command in a shaky outing, walking five batters and allowing three runs in three innings. However, the bullpen held Hub City scoreless for the rest of the game. Austin Erlicher walked three batters but did not allow a hit or run in 3 1/3 innings. Adam Smith threw a shutout 1 2/3 innings and Jonathan Brand walked a batter in a shutout frame.
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The Red Sox bats couldn't quite keep pace with the RiverDogs as they lost a slugfest to open the series in Salem. Right fielder Natanael Yuten had a productive game, going 2 for 4 with a walk and driving in two runs on a single in the first inning (though he was only credited with one RBI due to an error). He also drove in a run on a groundout in the ninth. Starlyn Nunez was 3 for 5 with a double, a triple, and three runs scored. Karim Ayubi was 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Starting pitcher Steven Brooks was hit hard by Charleston, as he allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks in three innings. Adam Bates tossed five innings out of the bullpen in relief and gave up three runs on five hits. P.J. Labriola allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of relief.
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The FCL Red Sox played an excellent game on both sides of the ball on Tuesday. Merlin Bido was outstanding through five innings, holding the FCL Rays scoreless and allowing just a hit and two walks while striking out four. Yermain Ruiz pitched two innings in relief, allowing an unearned run on a hit and fanning three. The Red Sox took an early lead in the first inning on a bases-loaded walk by Tavano Baker and a sacrifice fly for D'Angelo Ortiz but the bats did not really get rolling until a four-run rally in the seventh. Justin Barry delivered the highlight of the inning with a two-run double, as the third baseman was 2 for 4 on the day.
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It was an offensive explosion for the Blue team, as the lineup recorded 14 runs and reached base 26 times on Tuesday. Shortstop Hector Ramos, who ranks as the 29th prospect in the organization, was 3 for 4 with a run and three RBI. Eliezer Alfonzo was 2 for 4 with two walks, two runs, and an RBI. Josue Brito was 1 for 2 with a two-run homer in the third inning. Starting pitcher Juan Medina gave up five runs in two innings, walking two and striking out two. Yomar De La Rosa settled down the Astros Orange bats with 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out three batters. Yariel Valdez threw 1 1/3 innings and Wascar Berroa threw one inning of scoreless baseball to finish out the win.
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Fresh off being named the MVP of the DSL All-Star Game, Franklin Pimera came through with another big game. He went 2 for 3 with a two-run single in the fifth inning and scored a run. Dorian Soto reached base in all three of his plate appearances out of the leadoff slot, going 2 for 2 with a walk and a run. Miguel Welch was also 2 for 2 with a walk. Yohandry Gonzalez had a tough outing on the mound, allowing four runs in 1 1/3 innings to start the game. Breylin Cruz tossed 3 1/3 innings out of the bullpen, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks. Eddison Septimo threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out a batter.
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Player of the Day: Jhostynxon Garcia had a monster performance as the WooSox shellacked the Saints on Tuesday night, going 3 for 4 with two home runs, three runs, and four RBI. Garcia's pair of home runs brought him up to 11 home runs since a midseason promotion to Worcester (14 total between Worcester and Portland). The Password has been fantastic in 44 games with the WooSox this season, slashing .300/.379/.553. Garcia has been one of the greatest risers in the system, jumping from 14th at the beginning of the season to sixth on the current SoxProspects.com rankings, and he will surely be an attractive target for many teams as the Red Sox look to improve the major league team at the trade deadline.
Photo Credit: Jhostynxon Garcia by Kelly O'Connor