Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Has Worst Start Of Season In First MLB Game In Las Vegas Since 1996

Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Has Worst Start Of Season In First MLB Game In Las Vegas Since 1996 originally appeared on NESN.
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The Boston Red Sox traded Kyle Harrison to the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason, and he had been sensational until Monday night.

Harrison had a 1.57 ERA going into Monday’s game against the Athletics. However, it was the first MLB Game in Las Vegas since 1996, and Harrison fell victim to the ballpark and had his worst start of the season. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings and struck out just four batters. He gave up eight earned runs and three home runs. He had given up just 10 runs on the season going into the game.

The Brewers’ matchup with the A’s ended up being one of the most electric games of the year. The Brewers won a 15-14 game in the 12th inning, but it was a pitcher’s nightmare. There were 11 home runs hit, and the ball was flying. The A’s will move into a new ballpark in Las Vegas in 2028, but are playing a six-game homestand at Las Vegas Ballpark right now.

Las Vegas Ballpark is home to the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators. Pitching in a Triple-A ballpark is not easy for big league pitchers against big league hitters, and Monday’s game showed that. Harrison ended up raising his ERA to 2.72 in Las Vegas, but did not want to use the ballpark as an excuse.

Harrison had pitched in Las Vegas before in the minor leagues and felt like he knew the environment. That was not the case, and he ended up looking pedestrian for the first time this season. Overall, he has been a great addition for the Brewers, but Monday night gave a glimpse into what a bad day looks like for him.

A’s hitters were all over his stuff. It was not just the ballpark. Harrison was hanging pitches and was punished by an A’s lineup that does not have any shortage of power.

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