August 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: Rogers strikes out nine, Castro rips three doubles
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Abraham Toro led the way in this one, going 2 for 4 with a home run, a double, a walk, and three runs scored. Nathan Hickey reached base three times as well with a single, a double, a walk, and two RBI. Mikey Romero and Nick Sogard each added two singles. Kristian Campbell played center field and went 1 for 4 with a single and a walk. Connelly Early picked up his third win by going five innings and allowing three runs, although none of them were earned. He struck out six and walked only one. This was the third time in his five outings with Worcester where he has struck out at least six. Chris Murphy did not allow a hit in two shutout innings with two strikeouts and one walk. Alex Hoppe and Hobie Harris fired back-to-back scoreless innings to end the game.
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Drew Ehrhard and Ronaldo Hernandez each had clutch RBI singles in the 11th inning to give Portland a two-run lead, but it wasn't enough. Ehrhard ended his night with three hits. Allan Castro had a huge game, going 4 for 6 with three doubles and a pair of runs. Juan Chacon went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk, and Brooks Brannon belted a two-run shot. Dalton Rogers was tremendous for six innings, surrendering just one run on three hits. He tied his season-high with nine strikeouts and walked only two. Jack Anderson pitched two scoreless innings before the ninth when he allowed four runs to tie the game. He struck out four. Zach Bryant took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) in extras.
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Devin Futrell continued his incredible August with 6 1/3 frames of one-run ball. The southpaw surrendered five hits and two walks while punching out one. In five starts this month, he has a 0.98 ERA and has not allowed more than one run in any outing. Noah Dean tossed 1 2/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts before Isaac Stebens nailed down his ninth save of the year. Franklin Arias got the scoring started for Greenville in the third inning with an RBI single. He finished 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Justin Gonzales went 1 for 4 with a two-run single, while Freili Encarnacion singled, walked, stole a base, and scored two runs.
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Adam Bates started for Salem and had a rocky outing, allowing five runs (two earned) in 3 2/3 innings. He only gave up two hits, but walked five, leading to a high pitch count of 89. He punched out four. Calvin Bickerstaff was missing bats, with three strikeouts and no hits allowed in 1 1/3 shutout innings. P.J. Labriola pitched the final three innings for Salem and did not give up a run with four strikeouts and only one walk. Natanael Yuten was the lone bright spot on offense, picking up two of Salem's four hits and drove in the only run with an RBI single. D'Angelo Ortiz and Yohander Linarez each singled, and Yoeilin Cespedes walked and stole his ninth bag.
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This game began a couple of days ago and reached the seventh inning before it was suspended. They finished the game yesterday, and the Red Sox Blue were unable to make a comeback, ending their season. Harold Rivas, Louis Andujar, and Andruw Zambrano each ended up with two hits, with Andujar and Zambrano cracking doubles. Yander Bonaci tossed the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks and a strikeout.
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Player of the Day: Allan Castro had one of the best games of his season, collecting four hits for the first time this year. He also stroked three doubles for the first time in his professional career. The 22-year old outfielder has a .746 OPS in 82 games this season for Portland. He is currently ranked 24th here at SoxProspects.com.
Photo Credit: Allan Castro by Kelly O'Connor