Masterson, Bailey Lead PawSox over Yankees, 5-2
The lanky right hander (1-0) had command of all his pitches, throwing six complete innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits. He struck out four and walked one. He also hit a batter. The two runs off Masterson came on a wild pitch to score Justin Christian in the third and a two out error by Joe Thurston, plating Jason Lane, in the fourth.
“It didn’t take more than an inning or so to see the attraction” said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson of his young starter, “I don’t think we could have scripted this any better for his first Triple A outing.”
“I just wanted to do what I usually do…let my sinker work, get ground balls and let the great infielders I have field the balls” said Masterson. “I pretty much stuck to that game plan and got some ground balls.”
Masterson’s spot in the PawSox’ rotation was moved up two days in anticipation that he may be needed to make a spot start in Boston on Tuesday if Daisuke Matsuzaka is forced to miss his next turn due to shoulder stiffness.
I’m always ready to help out the team” Masterson said, “I’m just going to keep working and get ready for the next start.”
Bailey hit two homers in the game, a two-run shot in the third and a solo homer in the eighth, giving him 16 for the year. His two-homer game was the third during this 8-game home stand. Before his blast in the third Bailey had been hitless in his last ten at bats.
“The last couple of games I wasn’t in a good position to hit” said Bailey . “I got my legs more involved tonight and kept my head still and that’s the key.”
Bailey, who has 13 home runs in the month of May, was not scheduled to be in the line-up but was inserted late as the DH.
“I was excited about getting the night off. I thought I needed the game off” said Bailey, “Whenever that happens and they throw guys in there late they have a good game.”
The PawSox scored in the bottom of the first on Chris Carter’s eighth homer of the season. With the hit Carter has now hit in nine straight games. Their fifth run also came in the eighth on an RBI single by Brandon Moss.
Scranton starter Dan McCutchen (0-2) was ejected with one out in the bottom of the fifth as he threw two consecutive pitches behind Bailey, no doubt in retaliation to Bailey’s homer in the third. Yankee Manager Dave Miley was also ejected for arguing with plate umpire Brian Kennedy.
Hunter Jones came in to relieve Masterson and pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless ball. Chris Smith got the final two Yankee outs to secure his fifth save.
The PawSox now embark on an 8-game road trip beginning with the first of four games tomorrow night (7:05 pm) in Durham against the Bulls. Clay Buchholz (0-0, 2.25 ERA) will make his second PawSox start against Chris Mason (2-5, 4.71 ERA) for the Bulls.
NOTES: With the win the PawSox have the best home record in the IL at 21-9. That ties the best home record for the PawSox after 30 games in franchise history. Pawtucket was also 21-9 in the 1977 season. The PawSox will have 16 home games in June opposed to 14 on the road.
