PawSox Earn Spilt Over IronPigs 2-0
PAWTUCKET- The Pawtucket Red Sox scored two runs in the first inning, then rode another solid staff-wide pitching performance to beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 2-0 to earn a split of their four game series this afternoon at McCoy.
The PawSox scored their runs on a wind-aided two-run homer to left by DH Paul McAnulty, his second homer of the season.
PawSox starter Michael Bowden (1-0) once again put in a solid performance, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings, giving up only three hits. He walked one and struck out seven. He lowered his ERA to 0.64. The win was Bowden’s first Triple A victory.
“He’s made progress each and every outing” said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson of Bowden, “His slider was impressive today. I was impressed with everything he did today.”
“It definitely felt well” said Bowden, “I felt comfortable out there, getting ahead of guys.”
Fernando Cabrera followed Bowden by throwing 2 2/3 innings of no hit ball. Daniel Bard came in to pitch a scoreless ninth to pick-up his third save of the season. PawSox pitchers struck out a total of 10 IronPig batters.
Bowden’s only shaky inning came in the top of the fourth, when he loaded the bases with one out. But he settled down, inducing Lehigh Valley right fielder Jeremy Sladen to ground to third where Angel Chavez forced a runner at home. Chavez then made a diving stop on a grounder to force out J.J. Furmaniak at first to end the threat.
“Anything in Chavez’ vicinity he’s gonna grab.” said Bowden, “He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen over there.”
IronPigs starter Kyle Kendrick (1-1) could not duplicate the success of his first two starts of 2009. He had trouble commanding his pitches in taking the loss, throwing 88 pitches through only four innings of work.
PawSox RF Chip Ambres led all PawSox hitters with two of the PawSox’ five hits.
Pawtucket opens up a two-game home series tomorrow night (6:15 pm) with the Rochester Red Wings. Kris Johnson (1-0, 0.00 ERA) throws for the PawSox. He’ll be opposed by Anthony Swarzak (0-2, 0.82) for the Red Wings.
AFTER THE FACT: With Boston’s Rocco Baldelli injuring his hamstring in today’s win over the Orioles, could the Sox be calling up Jeff Bailey to take his spot on the Red Sox roster? As of this writing nothing is official…but Bailey was replaced in the field in the top of the ninth by Zach Daegas and Manager Ron Johnson was not coaching third base in the bottom of the eighth inning. Could a call have come in from Boston? We’ll wait and see.
