August 2, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Garcia crushes grand slam; Romero, Sandlin make Triple-A debuts
-----
Kyle Harrison picked up the win in his start for Worcester, allowing two earned runs on eight hits, two walks, and five strikeouts over five innings. He threw 92 pitches (62 strikes) and generated seven whiffs. Nick Burdi, who began a rehab assignment on Friday, and Alex Hoppe combined for two scoreless frames of relief. Offensively, Jhostynxon Garcia kicked off a productive day at the plate by going 2 for 3 with two doubles, one RBI, and one run scored. Nate Eaton, likewise, went 2 for 3 with one triple, two RBIs, and one stolen base. Corey Rosier scored one run and stole one base. Mikey Romero went 0 for 3 with one strikeout in his Triple-A debut.
David Sandlin notched the win in his Triple-A debut, yielding one earned run on four hits, one walk, and four strikeouts over five solid innings. He threw 57 pitches (40 strikes) and generated six whiffs. The rehabbing Zack Kelly struck out three more across two scoreless frames out of the bullpen. At the plate, Garcia picked up where he left off in Game 1 by going 1 for 3 with a 441-foot grand slam, good for his 13th Triple-A homer of the year. Kristian Campbell doubled to extend his hitting streak to 12 games, while Nathan Hickey doubled and scored one run.
-----
Dalton Rogers was stellar in his start for Portland, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out seven over six scoreless innings. He threw 83 pitches (50 strikes) and generated 11 whiffs. In relief of Rogers, Jacob Webb took the loss after giving up two unearned runs in the top of the seventh. Zach Bryant, on the other hand, fanned three of the seven batters he faced across two scoreless frames. Offensively, it was a quiet night for the Sea Dogs. Karson Simas plated his side's only run when he doubled in Brooks Brannon in the bottom of the seventh. Ahbram Liendo drew one walk and stole his 29th base of the season.
-----
Greenville Drive @ Winston-Salem Dash (CWS) (PPD)
This game was postponed due to inclement weather and unplayable field conditions. It is tentatively scheduled to be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on Saturday evening.
-----
Devin Futrell picked up his first professional win in his start for Salem, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out a season-high of five over five scoreless innings. He faced one over the minimum and threw 53 pitches (39 strikes), generating six whiffs. Nicolas De La Cruz and Jay Allmer combined for four additional scoreless frames of relief to see the shutout through to its completion. Offensively, Frederik Jimenez and Justin Gonzales proved to be the difference makers. Jimenez went 2 for 3 and scored the game's lone run on a sixth-inning sacrifice fly off the bat of Gonzales. Yoeilin Cespedes had two hits, and Starlyn Nunez recorded his 17th double.
-----
Juanyerlin Duran picked up his first professional win in his start for the Blue squad, allowing only one earned run on one hit, two walks, one hit by pitch, and five strikeouts over five innings. Ranci Castillo tossed two scoreless frames out of the bullpen. At the plate, Stiven De La Cruz went 1 for 2 with two RBIs, one run scored, one stolen base, and one walk. Christopher Alvarado, likewise, went 1 for 2 with one run scored, two stolen bases, and one walk. Jostin Ogando scored one run, drew three walks, and stole one base. Louis Andujar doubled for his only hit.
-----
This game began on July 28 but was suspended in the fifth inning due to lightning. Christopher Cordero took over on the mound for the Red squad in the bottom of the fifth on Friday and went three innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits, three walks, two hit by pitches, and four strikeouts. Felix Belisario took the loss after giving up a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the ninth. Offensively, Miguel Welch went 3 for 4 with one double, one run scored, and one stolen base. Franklin Primera went 2 for 5 with two doubles and one RBI. Givian Sirvania stood out by going 2 for 3 with one run scored, three stolen bases, and one walk.
Friday's regularly scheduled game between these two sides ended in a blowout. Eddison Septimo took the loss in his start after surrendering five earned runs on five hits (including one home run), two walks, and two strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings. Breylin Cruz and Allan Griman gave up 10 additional runs (nine earned) out of the bullpen, while Sirvania put up a zero in his second relief appearance of the year. At the plate, Miguel Rivera and Luis Aular each drove in one run. Geomaikel Martinez doubled and drew one walk.
-----
Player of the Day: Between Games 1 and 2 of Friday's doubleheader at Polar Park, Jhostynxon Garcia went 3 for 6 with two doubles, one home run, five RBIs, two runs scored, and one strikeout. The right-handed hitting 22-year-old is now batting .298/.365/.556 with 13 home runs and 41 RBIs in 52 games (230 plate appearances) since being promoted to Worcester on May 20. He is currently ranked as the organization's No. 5 prospect.
Photo Credit: Jhostynxon Garcia by Kelly O'Connor