Greene was sensational while striking out 12 against Washington on Friday, but he was hit by a comebacker. “We dodged a bullet there,” Francona said. Greene should be just fine for his start next week against Atlanta.

Greene induced 21 missed swings and topped his previous season high for strikeouts by four. His only previous 12-strikeout game came in 2023, when he fanned 14 in a loss to the Twins. Greene moved to 4-2 with a 2.53 ERA, and he’s in line to face the Braves next.

Greene struck out two in a clean first inning, then surrendered a two-run homer to Michael Toglia to start the second. Greene was hurt by the long ball again in the fifth, with Adael Amador taking him deep for a solo homer. The three runs would be it against Greene over six innings as he struck out eight with no walks. It was about as good as you can hope to get at Coors Field. The 25-year-old right-hander is off to an excellent start, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 43/6 K/BB ratio across 36 2/3 innings. He’ll take on the Cardinals in Cincinnati on Thursday.

Quite the reversal of fortunate from a guy who was nearly unhittable with his 0.98 ERA in his first four starts. He had given up just one homer in 27 2/3 innings before Cedric Mullins and Gunnar Henderson went back-to-back off him to open the bottom of the first. Ramón Laureano later added a two-run shot in the third. Greene also walked two and hit two batters. He’ll probably bounce right back from this, but if not, things could out of control in a hurry with his next start coming in Coors Field.