August 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Harrison strikes out eight in five shutout innings
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For the second time in as many starts, left-hander Kyle Harrison tossed five shutout innings. It was also his third straight start in which he allowed two runs or fewer in five innings. Against Iowa, Harrison only allowed one hit and tied a season-high with eight strikeouts. He also walked four and hit a batter. His fastball touched 95 mph and he generated 11 whiffs on 35 swings (31%). His ERA is now 3.48 in nine starts with Worcester, including 44 strikeouts in 41 1/3 frames. Bryan Mata took the loss, surrendering one run in his only inning. Brennan Bernardino tossed a hitless inning with two strikeouts, and Alex Hoppe fired a shutout inning of his own with one strikeout and no walks. The Sox offense only had two hits, as Kristian Campbell and Nate Eaton each had singles. Eaton also drew a walk and swiped his 14th bag of the year.
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Caleb Bolden was saddled with a tough loss, as he allowed two earned runs over the first five innings with eight strikeouts and just two walks. The eight strikeouts set a new career-high for Bolden, a 26-year old righty who was selected in the seventh round by the Sox back in 2022. Jorge Juan struggled, allowing three runs over two innings. Noah Song surrendered five hits in two innings, but did not walk anybody and only gave up one run. Ronald Rosario had a good night at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Allan Castro was 2 for 4 with a two-bagger as well. Max Ferguson drew a walk and stole his 29th base of the year.
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The Drive jumped out to an early lead when Hudson White ripped a two-run single in the second inning. White ended up going 3 for 4 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored. Nelly Taylor also had two doubles and drove in a run. Justin Riemer went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored, while Freili Encarnacion belted a solo home run, his fifth of the year. Franklin Arias added an RBI single. Devin Futrell continued his tremendous start to August, as he tossed four innings while allowing just one unearned run. The southpaw only gave up one hit and two walks to go along with three strikeouts. He boasts a 0.68 ERA in three August starts. Luis Cohen pitched the remaining five innings and picked up the victory, surrendering three earned runs on three hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
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This game was suspended in the bottom of the fifth inning and will be resumed today before the regularly scheduled game. Justin Gonzales was having a terrific game with three hits in three trips to the plate, including his 18th double of the year and two runs scored. Natanael Yuten was also 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles and a walk. Alex Bouchard went the first 3 2/3 frames and gave up one earned run on three hits and four walks. He punched out four. Joey Gartrell came on and got the final out of the fourth and the first out of the fifth before the power at FredNats Stadium went out and could not be restored.
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Player of the Day: The nod goes to the biggest piece of the Rafael Devers trade, Kyle Harrison. After posting a 3.46 ERA in 26 innings with Triple-A Sacramento, Harrison now has a 3.48 ERA with Worcester. He has 182 2/3 innings of MLB experience with the Giants with a 4.48 ERA and 178 strikeouts.
Photo Credit: Kyle Harrison by Kelly O'Connor