We are heading toward the end of the second month of the International League season. Here are the results of games played last night…

The PawSox find themselves back in third place in the IL North after the Syracuse Chiefs took over second place with a 7-0 shutout of the Norfolk Tides. BOX

Meanwhile first place Scranton/Wilkes Barre remains atop the division after coming from behind to beat the Rochester Red Wings 6-3. Eric Duncan had a homer and drove in three. BOX

The Columbus Clippers collected 13 hits, on their way to a 7-1 win over the Buffalo Bisons. BOX

The Louisville Bats opened up a 5-0 lead and hung on to defeat the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, 5-3. BOX

It took ten innings, but the Richmond Braves upended the Charlotte Knights on the road, 6-4. BOX

The Toledo Mud Hens continue to struggle, falling to the Indianapolis Indians, 3-2. BOX

Durham’s Dan and Elliot Johnson each homered and drove in three runs as the Bulls out scored the PawSox 10-6 last night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Dan Johnson (3 for 4) hit his two-run homer off PawSox starter Clay Buchholz in the third. Elliot Johnson (no relation, 2 for 3) also hit a two-run shot, off reliever and game loser Edgar Martinez (1-1). It came in the bottom of the seventh when the Bulls scored three times to break open a 5-5 tie.

Twice the PawSox fell behind only to come back and tie the score. But both times the Bulls had answers of their own.

Chris Carter continues his hot streak at the plate for Pawtucket. He went 2 for 3, with a homer and 2 RBIs. He now has a ten game hitting streak.

Sean Danielson found himself in the lead-off spot in place of Jeff Bailey, who was called up to Boston earlier in the day. Danielson took advantage of the opportunity, banging out three hits and driving in a run. Brandon Moss also belted a solo homer for the PawSox. Keith Ginter drove in a PawSox run with a sacrifice fly.

Jed Lowrie made his return to the PawSox line-up, batting third and playing shortstop. He finished his day 1 for 4 with a triple and a run scored.

Justin Ruggiano and Joel Guzman each had two hits and drove in a run for the Bulls. The other Durham RBI’s came courtesy of Fernando Perez and Reid Brigniac.

Buchholz was shaky in his second rehab start with the Pawtucket. He threw 76 pitches over four innings. He gave up three runs on two hits, including a homer. More importantly it appeared his command was off, walking four and throwing a wild pitch. He also struck out five.

Durham starter Chris Mason pitched well but did not earn a decision. He pitched seven innings, giving up three runs on six hits. Kurt Birkins (1-1) picked-up the win in relief.

Before the game the PawSox added OF Bobby Kielty back to their roster. The member of the Red Sox 2007 championship squad had been sidelined since April 19th with a left hand injury, which eventually required surgery. Kietly had been in rehab at Single A Lancaster where he went 2 for 8 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI’s in three games.

Game two of the four game series with the Bulls is tonight (7:05 pm) with RHP David Pauley (6-2, 3.09) starting for Pawtucket against RHP Jeff Niemann (2-1, 1.71) for Durham.

BOX SCORE
PROJO REPORT

The PawSox are hoping their success at home translates to the road as they open up an 8-game road trip with the first of four games in Durham against the Bulls. RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0, 2.25) vs. RHP Chris Mason (2-5, 4.71)

We have just enough time for a brief preview…

Pawtucket Red Sox (33-22)

The PawSox are coming off a 5-3 homestand, where they finished in second place in the IL North, 1 game behind the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees.

Buchholz makes his second PawSox start tonight. In his first start as part of his rehab with the club Buchholz did not get a decision against the Rochester Red Wings. He threw four innings, yielding one run on three hits. He struck out three and walked two.

The PawSox will be without Jeff Bailey, whose contract was purchsed by the Red Sox after Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a slight shoulder strain.

Durham Bulls (29-25)

The Bulls enter the game in first place in the IL South, 2 1/2 games ahead of Richmond.

Mason will make his 11th start of the season. His last two outings have resulted in no decisions. His last decision came May 15th, a loss to the Toledo Mud Hens. In that game he pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits.

Gordon Edes at the Globe has a report that Jeff Bailey is headed to Baltimore to join the Sox, if needed.

If activated, he may fill in for the ailing Kevin Youkilis, who is suffering with a sore right hand and may need a few days off…

It was get-a-way day yesterday across the International League. Here are how the games played out…

The Syracuse Chiefs fall back to third place i n the IL North after their 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Richmond Braves. BOX

The Rochester Red Wings completed the 4-game sweep of the Charlotte Knights, 4-3. BOX

Javon Moran collected four hits, including a homer, as the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs took out the Indianapolis Indians, 8-5. BOX

The Louisville Bats scored four runs over the final two innings to beat the Columbus Clippers, 6-3. BOX

The Durham Bulls scored four runs in the top of the ninth to over take the Norfolk Tides, 10-7. John Weber had five of the Bulls 18 hits. BOX

The Toledo Mud Hens broke out of their 4-game losing streak in a big way, pasting the Buffalo Bisons, 10-2. BOX