I have been away at a business meeting and was unable to see any of the PawSox’ games against the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees this weekend at McCoy.  I guess that’s a good thing.

Just by looking at the scores and reading the reports it’s clear to me that the Yankees may be well on their way to repeating as Governor’s Cup Champions.  (NOTE: Norfolk enters the day with the same number of losses as the Yankees with 14) Their 34 runs over the four game set against one of the best pitching staffs in the league (the PawSox had been 2nd in the IL in ERA when the series began, they are now 4th) shows us, at least at this juncture of the season, that there is quite a distance between these two IL North rivals.

Meanwhile the PawSox offense seems stuck in neutral.  They are next to last in team batting average (.223, only Buffalo is worse) and on-base percentage (.307, again Buffalo is last).  The Red Sox philosophy of high batting average and high on-base percentage is not playing out so far for Pawtucket.

The good thing for the PawSox is that there are three months of games still remaining.  And they don’t play the Yankees again until July 2nd.

PawSox 3B Angel Chavel launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead Pawtucket to a 4-3 win over the Buffalo Bisons this afternoon at McCoy.  With the win the PawSox took 3 out of 4 from Buffalo.

Pawtucket starter Clay Buchholz entered the game with a 21 1/3 scoreless streak.  He could not keep the streak going, earning a no decision while giving up 3 runs on 7 hits over 4 1/3 innings.  Buchholz gave up a pair of solo homer runs to Bisons LF Francisco Martinez.  Buchholz walked 2 and struck out 5.

PawSox reliever Fernando Cabrera continued to shine, pithing a scoreless ninth inning for his seventh save of the season.

Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis was in the Pawtucket line-up once again as part of his rehab assignment.  He went 0-4 with a strikeout.  He is expected to return to the Sox tomorrow.

Chavez led all PawSox batters with three  hits.  SS Iggy Suarez added a pair of hits including a solo homer.   Chris Carter also had two hits.  RF Sean Danielson also drove in a run.

The PawSox have a rare off day tomorrow before hosting first place Scranton-Wilkes Barre in the first of a four game set Thursday night (7:05pm).  RHO George Kontos (1-1, 3.38 ERA) is slated to start for the Yankees.  He’ll be opposed by LHP Chris Johnson (2-4, 6.12 ERA) for the PawSox.

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The Pawtucket Red Sox held the lead early in their game with the Buffalo Bisons last night at McCoy before a 6-run seventh inning turned the tide and gave the Herd a 9-2 win.

The story of this game was not the loss, but the first of two rehab starts for Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis.  He went 0 for 2 with a walk and strikeout.  You can read more on his outing here.

The PawSox took a 2-0 lead after two on a two-run double by 3B Angel Chavez.

PawSox starter Enrique Gonzalez (5-2) began the game well, giving up single runs in the fourth and sixth before the floor gave way in the seventh.  Gonzalez ended up giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on seven hits.  He walked one and struck out six.

Chris George came on in relief of Gonzalez and gave up  three runs. None were earned as the Pawtucket defense made two errors in the inning.  Rocky Cherry came in and gave up a single run in the ninth.

Chavez and C John Ottness has two hits apiece for the PawSox.

The teams wrap up their series this afternoon (12:05pm) at McCoy.  Brandon Knight (2-3, 4.03 ERA) throws for the Bisons.  He’ll be opposed by Clay Buchholz (2-0, 1.03 ERA) for the PawSox.

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PAWSOX REPORT

PROJO REPORT

The Pawtucket Red Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to come away with a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons this afternoon at McCoy.  The PawSox have now won two straight.

The Bisons took a 2-0 lead in the top of the 11th as 2B Argenis Reyes belted a 2-run homer into the right field bullpen off PawSox reliever Jose Vaquedano.

In the home half of the 11th, Paul McAnulty led off with a double to right.  He advanced to third on a single by Travis Denker.  Angel Chavez drove in McAnulty with a single to right.  After Sandy Madera loaded the bases with a single, Freddie Guzman tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI single past short.  The winning run scored on a based loaded walk to Jonathan Van Every.

The first ten innings of the game were dominated by outstanding pitching by both clubs.  PawSox starter Michael Bowden again was masterful, throwing eight scoreless innings, giving up only three hits while walking four and striking out seven.  He lowered his ERA to 0.86.

The Bisons were not to be outdone as starter Dillon Gee threw shutout ball for 6 1/3 innings.  He also gave up only three hits, walking five and striking out eight.

New PawSox reliever Javier Lopez made his debut by throwing a perfect ninth.  Vaquedano (2-1) picked up the win.

NOTES: Red Sox 1B Kevin Youkilis will be making a pair of rehab appearances tomorrow and Tuesday at McCoy.  Youkilis has been on the disabled list since May 5th with a strained oblique.  He is expected to DH one game and play 1B the other.  He may be activated by the Sox as early as Wednesady.

Unfortunately my work schedule will preclude me from attending Youkilis’ rehab starts.  Bummer.

BOX SCORE

PAWSOX REPORT

PROJO REPORT

PAWTUCKET-  The Pawtucket Red Sox broke a three game scoreless streak, coming from behind to beat the Buffalo Bisons 3-2 tonight at McCoy.  The PawSox had gone 39 1/3 consecutive innings without scoring a run.

Pawtucket trailed 2-0 before tallying three times in the bottom of the sixth.  With one out Jonathan Van Every and Chip Ambres reached with a pair of singles.  Chris Carter then drove a 1-0 pitch off the enter field fence for a two run double tying the game at 2-2.  Two batters later DH Paul McAnulty drove in Carter with a single to center to break the tie.

“It’s fitting” said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson, “Carter came up with a big hit, (McAnulty) drove him in.  I could see how our guys reacted.  They were very relieved.  We all were.”

“When you’re shut out three in a row, it gets a little edgy.” said Johnson, “Hopefully this will relax everybody and we can get back to business as usual.”

Buffalo had a chance to tie the game in the top of the eighth.  LF Fernando Martinez led off with a walk and advanced to third on a stolen base and an error by PawSox catcher Dusty Brown.  Martinez was then cut down at home trying to score on a fly ball to left on a great throw by Chip Ambres and a great block of the plate by Brown.

PawSox starter Charlie Zink (2-4) picked up the win. He worked six innings, giving up six hits, walking three and striking out four.  He threw 91 pitches, 59 for strikes.

The only trouble inning for Zink came in the top of the third.  With one out, Fernando Martinez singled to the mound and advanced to third on a throwing error by Zink.  Former Red Sox outfielder Wily Mo Pena drove in Martinez with a double to the gap in right center.  After Zink threw a wild pitch sending Pena to third, 1B Javier Valentin drove him in with a single to left.

“Charlie did a real nice job.” said Johnson,

Billy Traber, Marcus McBeth, and Fernando Cabrera (6th save) pitched scoreless relief behind Zink to close the game

Buffalo starter and former PawSox pitcher Kyle Snyder (0-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings giving up three runs on seven hits in taking the loss.  He struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

Every member of the Pawtucket line-up had one hit.

Pena led the Bisons with three hits on a single and two doubles.

Game two of the four game set with the Bisons is set for tomorrow afternoon (1:05pm) .  RHP Dillon Gee (1-3, 4.26 ERA) pitches for Buffalo.  He’ll be opposed by Michael Bowden (2-1, 1.06 ERA) for the PawSox.

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