September 1, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Cup of Coffee: McDonough hits two home runs; Harrison held out for Wednesday
9/1 Cup of Coffee: The minor league season is winding down as Greenville and Salem are entering the last week of the regular season. In Worcester, Kyle Harrison is a top option to pitch on Wednesday for Boston, as he was held out of his scheduled start on Sunday. Tyler McDonough (pictured) combined with Abraham Toro to lead Worcester's offense, while Brooks Brannon went deep for Portland.
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Two home runs and six RBI from Tyler McDonough led the way in a rout of Durham. McDonough set the tone for the day with a grand slam in the first inning, and he followed it up with a two-run shot in the sixth. A solo home run from Max Ferguson and a three-run home run off the bat of Abraham Toro accounted for the other four runs. Kristian Campbell scored three times as he went 1 for 3 with two walks. Kyle Harrison was the scheduled starter, but he is being held back in case the Red Sox need a spot start on Wednesday. Chris Murphy took the ball instead and fired three innings of one-run ball. The win went to David Sandlin, who followed with two hitless frames. It marked the first scoreless multi-inning appearance with the WooSox for Sandlin.
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The Sea Dogs could not capture a fourth straight victory as they fell to Hartford. Starter Caleb Bolden faced one batter over the minimum through the first three innings, but the Yard Goats got to him for four runs in the fourth. He recovered with a scoreless fifth and sixth before turning it over to the bullpen. The offense was led by Brooks Brannon, who went 1 for 3 with a solo home run. Ahbram Liendo notched his 40th steal as part of a 2-for-5 day.
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Every starter reached base at least once as the Drive used a balanced attack to beat the Hot Rods. The big hit was a three-run home run from Freili Encarnacion. Encarnacion finished 2 for 4 with four RBI. Nelly Taylor went 1 for 4 with a two-run double and a walk, while Mason White went 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored. Austin Ehrlicher allowed a run for the first time in August, as he surrendered two runs (one earned) over 2 2/3. Manuel Medina got the win with 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball, and Joe Vogatsky earned his first save with three shutout frames.
Greenville remains two games back of Hub City for the final playoff spot as they enter the final week of the regular season.
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Kannapolis got four runs off Jose Bello in the first inning, and that was all they would need. Bello cruised through the next three innings, but the rough start dropped his record to 1-1. The bullpen was dominant, with Jay Allmer firing three hitless frames and Wuilliams Rodriguez adding a scoreless eighth. Skylar King had a bit of an unconventional game, going 1 for 2 with a double while being hit by two pitches. Kleyver Salazar went 2 for 3 with a walk, and D'Angelo Ortiz drove in the team's lone run with a single.
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Player of the Day: Tyler McDonough was the clear winner on Sunday as he launched two home runs and drove in a career-high six runs. It was a surprise power surge from the former third-round pick as he entered the day with three home runs in 61 games. His last home run came on June 10, and the great day raised his OPS from .680 to .715. The 26-year-old has been a strong organizational player in his time in the system with his defensive versatility, playing all three outfield positions as well as second base and shortstop with the WooSox this season.
Photo Credit: Tyler McDonough by Kelly O'Connor