The Buffalo Bisons swept the Pawtucket Red Sox in their two-game series at McCoy, taking last night’s contest as DH Michael Aubrey drove in the game winning run in the top of the 10th to give the Bisons a 11-10 victory.

Both teams collected 18 hits. LF Trevor Crowe and 1B Jordan Brown had three hits each for Buffalo. Dusty Brown and Gil Velazquez had three apiece for Pawtucket. Each member of both starting line-ups had at least one hit.

Brown, 3B Morgan Ensberg, and SS Andy Cannizaro each belted a home run for the Bisons. Brown and Ensberg also drove in three runs each.

Although the PawSox did not hit a homer in the game, Brown drove in three runs with Josh Wilson and Keith Ginter driving in two runs each.

Neither starting pitcher figured in the decision. PawSox hurler Davern Hansack, fresh off the disabled list, worked only two innings, giving up two runs on four hits. Buffalo starter Aaron Laffey worked five innings, yielding seven runs on 11 hits. Preston Larrison (3-4) took the win in relief for Buffalo. Chris Smith (1-5) took the loss for Pawtucket.

With the loss the PawSox are officially eliminated from contention for the IL North Division title. They begin their last two-game series of the season beginning tonight (6:05 pm) against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs at McCoy. RHP Drew Carpenter (NR) will pitch for the Iron Pigs. He’ll be opposed by RHP Edgar Martinez (7-3, 4.28) for the PawSox.

NOTES: The Red Sox yesterday designated RHP Eric Hull for assignment. Hull threw in 40 games for the PawSox, garnering a 2-3 record with a 4.12 ERA.

IF/OF Joe Thurston was officially added back to the PawSox roster after being optioned back to the club by the Red Sox last week. In his return to the line-up Thurston went 2 for 5 with a strikeout.

BOX SCORE

Here is what happened across the rest of the International League last night.

With the PawSox loss, the magic number for the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees to clinch the IL North Division is one, despite the Yankees falling 9-3 to the Rochester Red Wings. BOX

Kory Castro Homered and drove in two runs as the Columbus Clippers shut-out the Toledo Mud Hens 4-0. BOX

Fernando Cortez had three hits and drove in two runs as the Charlotte Knights beat the Durham Bulls 7-5. BOX

Oscar Robles had three hits and drove in three as the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs took care of the Syracuse Chiefs, 9-1. BOX

Luis Cruz homered and drove in three runs in the Indianapolis Indians’ 8-4 win over the Louisville Bats. BOX

Lead-off man Brent Lillibridge had two hits and drove in three runs as the Richmond Braves beat the Norfolk Tides, 7-2. BOX

The Pawtucket Red Sox were limited to three hits as they fell to the Buffalo Bisons, 2-0 last night at McCoy.

Six Bisons pitchers held the PawSox in check, collecting a total of 11 strikeouts and walking no one along the way. Scott Lewis (2-2) got the start for Buffalo and picked up the win, working six innings and giving up two hits. Jeff Stevens, Rich Rundles, and Edward Buzachero closed out the Pawsox by each pitching a scoreless inning. The PawSox‘ hits were all singles, and came from Chris Carter, George Kottaras, and Gil Velazquez.

Pawtucket wasted a solid pitching performance from starter Charlie Zink (14-6). Zink pitched eight innings, giving up both Buffalo runs (only one earned) on seven hits. He walked three and struck out three. One of the runs came courtesy of a solo home run from Todd Linden in the top of the sixth.

The Bisons now hold a 9-6 record over the PawSox, only the second team in the league that will end the season with a winning edge over Pawtucket (Louisville is the other). The teams will wrap-up their two game series tonight (6:05 pm) at McCoy. Aaron Laffey (6-2, 3.65) will star for Buffalo. Eric Hull (2-3, 4.12) will make another spot start for Pawtucket.

NOTES: The Red Sox yesterday called up catcher David Ross and pitcher Michael Bowden from the PawSox. The Ross move was expected as the Sox were looking to have another catcher available for the postseason and needed to add Ross before August 31st. Bowden is expected to make a start tonight against the Chicago White Sox.

On a personal note, my work and family schedule is keeping me away from McCoy (and maybe the computer) this final homestand of the season. I will do my best to check in with news and notes when I can. Thanks for understanding.

BOX SCORE

Here is a wrap of the rest of the action from around the International League…

The Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees have now won seven straight games, knocking off the Buffalo Bisons last night 3-2. BOX

Eight Toledo Mud Hens had at least one hit in their 11-8 victory over the Columbus Clippers. BOX

Luis Bolivar had two home runs and drove in four to lead the Louisville Bats over the Indianapolis Indians, 7-5. BOX

The Rochester Red Wings scattered eight hits on their way to a 4-2 win over the Syracuse Chiefs. BOX

Mike Costanzo drove in three runs, including the game winner in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the Norfolk Tides nipped the Durham Bulls 5-4. BOX

The Richmond Braves and Charlotte Knights had their game postponed due to rain.

The Pawtucket Red Sox continued its dominance over the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, collecting a season-high 19 hits in their 14-4 thrashing last night at Coca-Cola Park. The PawSox swept the four game series in Allentown and are 13-1 against Lehigh Valey this season.

Every member of the PawSox line-up had at least one hit, with Josh Wilson, Chris Carter, and Gil Velazquez contributing three hits each. Jeff Corsaletti, Jason Lane, Dusty Brown, and Jonathan Van Every chipped in with two hits each. Ten of the 19 hits were for extra bases.

Also impressive was that eight of the nine Pawtucket hitters had at least one RBI. Velazquez (3 RBIs) and Van Every (2 RBI’s) hit back-to-back homers for the second straight game. Lane (3 RBI’s) and Brown (2 RBI’s) also knocked in multiple runs.

The PawSox were once again led on the mound by the bullpen, which pitched seven combined scoreless innings to close out the game. Lincoln Holdzkom (6-5) was the most impressive, throwing four innings of one hit ball to earn the win. Jon Switzer (one inning) and Hunter Jones (two innings) each gave up only one hit apiece during their outings.

PawSox starter Edgar Martinez had his issues on the mound, giving up four runs on six hits in two innings of work. He was also a bit wild, walking four and not striking out anyone.

Former Major League starter Kris Benson (1-4) took the brunt of the damage for the Iron Pigs. He gave up eight runs (six earned) on nine hits over four innings. He walked three, struck out two, and gave up both PawSox home runs. Reliever Wes Walrond did not fare much better, giving up six runs on eight hits over 1 2/3 innings.

With the win the PawSox tied a franchise record for most wins in a season at 83. They are off today and begin their final regular season homestand of the season tomorrow nignt (7:05pm) when they open a two game series with the Buffalo Bisons. Aaron Laffey (6-2) will pitch for Buffalo. He’ll go up against Charlie Zink (14-5) for Pawtucket.

NOTES: With the Red Sox trading for OF Mark Kotsay yesterday, IF/OF Joe Thurston has been optioned back to Pawtucket. He should be back in the starting line-up tomorrow night.

BOX SCORE