Cup of Coffee: Tolle struggles through four innings; Gasper collects three hits

3/30 Cup of Coffee: It was a rough day for Worcester's pitching staff, as top prospect Payton Tolle only made it through four innings. The offense kept the team in the game, with Mickey Gasper's three hits leading the team. 

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The Mets scored two in the eighth and two in the ninth to win a back-and-forth contest. Starter Payton Tolle lasted only four innings and gave up six runs (four earned) while walking two and striking out six. It was an atypical pitch mix for Tolle, who threw his four-seam fastball only 25 percent of the time. His sinker and cutter were used more frequently, with the sinker being a new pitch in his arsenal in 2026. Zack Kelly allowed one hit over two shutout innings, and Jacob Webb surrendered two unearned runs in his 1 2/3 frames. The loss went to Kyle Keller, who allowed a two-run home run in the top of the ninth. 

The top of Worcester's lineup kept them in the game, led by Mickey Gasper, who went 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI. Braiden Ward and Nate Eaton were productive at the plate and on the bases, with Ward going 2 for 4 with two RBI, a walk, and a steal, while Eaton went 1 for 3 with two walks, an RBI, and a steal. Mikey Romero went 1 for 3 with a double and three RBI, and Matt Lloyd went 1 for 2 with an RBI and three walks. 

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Player of the Day: Three hits for Mickey Gasper led the way on a strong day for the Worcester offense. Gasper is back with the WooSox after posting a .367/.471/.592 line in 48 games with them in 2024. He spent the 2025 season in the Twins organization, appearing in 29 games with the big league club. He struggled to a .488 OPS in Minnesota and was designated for assignment in the offseason. He was claimed by Washington, designated for assignment a week later, and the Red Sox picked him back up in February. He had a great spring that saw him post a 1.062 OPS, and he has kept that going into the first few games of the Triple-A season.