Cup of Coffee: Yoshida begins rehab, Gonzales blasts long home run

7/3 Cup of Coffee: Worcester split a doubleheader with Syracuse, as Masataka Yoshida played in his first rehab game. Kyle Harrison was on the mound again as well, while Karson Simas and Vaughn Grissom led the way in a big win in the second game. The Drive swept their doubleheader behind a huge hit from Franklin Arias. Justin Gonzales (pictured) also had a monster game in Salem's win. 

 

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Kyle Harrison made his second start in a Worcester uniform and lasted four innings while surrendering three earned runs on five hits. He also walked two and struck out two on 79 pitches. A bright spot for the lefty was his new cutter, which he used to induce four of his 10 swinging strikes on the afternoon. His fastball sat in the 94-96 mph range. Wyatt Mills gave up two runs in two innings before Austin Adams tossed a shutout frame with one strikeout and no walks. Masataka Yoshida made his 2025 season debut in this one as the designated hitter. He went 0 for 2 with a strikeout and a walk. He was also taking ground balls at first base before the game. Trayce Thompson provided the only two runs for Worcester with a two-run blast in the second inning to score Vaughn Grissom, who doubled to lead off the frame. Kristian Campbell played first base again and went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts at the plate. 

 

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Karson Simas led an 11-run attack by going 2 for 3 with a three-run home run and a walk. Vaughn Grissom was perfect at the plate with a 3-for-3 night that included a double, a walk, and three runs scored. Corey Rosier also singled, doubled, walked, and drove in three runs. Jhostynxon Garcia added an RBI double and a walk. Robert Stock earned the win with a terrific 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run. The righty struck out six and walked just one. Jose Adames closed it out by retiring all four batters that he faced, including one strikeout. 

 

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Eduardo Rivera was hit around to the tune of 10 hits in five innings, but was able to limit the damage to four runs. He punched out four and walked just one. Jack Anderson was fantastic in three innings of relief, allowing no runs on just two hits while striking out four and walking one. The Portland offense scattered nine hits, but only pushed one across as they went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. Allan Castro and Ahbram Liendo each had two hits, with Liendo picking up his 10th double of the year. Zach Ehrhard added a two-bagger of his own. 

 

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Franklin Arias drove in all three runs for Greenville on one swing, as he roped a three-run double in the second inning. Antonio Anderson (walk), Freili Encarnacion (hit-by-pitch), and Will Turner (walk) all scored on the double. Anderson and Turner also had the only other two hits for the Drive, both singles. Adam Smith got the ball to start and fired three shutout innings to go along with three strikeouts and three walks. Jacob Webb and Danny Kirwin both threw two scoreless innings of their own with two strikeouts and one walk. 

 

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Blake Aita was very good on the mound again, surrendering just two runs over five innings of work. The 2024 sixth round draft selection punched out six, allowed three hits, and issued four walks. Erik Rivera allowed a run in one inning, but struck out a pair. Isaac Stebens nabbed his sixth save of the season with a clean seventh inning including one strikeout. Miguel Bleis had a very productive night, going 1 for 2 with a single, two walks, and two stolen bases. Johanfran Garcia, Yophery Rodriguez, and Freili Encarnacion each went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, and an RBI. 

 

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Salem broke a 1-1 tie in the 10th inning by exploding for four runs. Yohander Linarez had the go-ahead hit, a two-run triple. Justin Gonzales followed by blasting a two-run home run, his second of the year. Gonzales had a big night, adding a pair of singles, a walk, and a stolen base. Natanael Yuten added his 11th double. Devin Futrell started and fired four shutout innings to lower his ERA to 2.53 in eight starts. He struck out three, walked two, and gave up only two hits. Adam Bates followed with four innings of one-run ball, as he also only allowed two hits. Joe Vogatsky picked up the win with two solid innings, allowing just one unearned run with one strikeout and one walk. 

 

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Player of the Day: Justin Gonzales earns the honor by reaching base four times, including this massive home run. The 18-year old is hitting .265/.381/.358 in 42 games this year with Salem. He was signed as an international free agent in January of 2024 and is currently ranked 16th here at SoxProspects.com.