PawSox End Skid 7-5
The Pawtucket Red Sox scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead and held on to nip the Indianapolis Indians, 7-5 yesterday at Victory Field.
Trailing 4-3 entering the fifth, the PawSox took the lead for good by scoring all three runs after first two batters were retired by Indy reliever Brian Slocum (0-2). Travis Denker and Gil Velazquez walked. They were driven in on an RBI double to left by Iggy Suarez. Suarez would then score on a RBI single by Sen Danielson.
Both PawSox starter Kris Johnson and Indians hurler Eric Hacker struggled from the beginning, with neither man getting the decision. Johnson gave up 5 runs (3 earned) on six hits, walking 5 and striking out 2 in 4 2/3 innings of work.
Hacker worked 4 innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits, while walking 7 and striking out one.
Jose Vaquedano (3-1) pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to get the win. Marcus McBeth picked up his third save of the season.
Mark Kotsay and Freddie Guzman had two hits each to lead the PawSox attack. Andrew McCutchen had two hits including a homer for the Indians.
The two clubs wrap up their series tonight (7:00) as Charlie Zink (4-4, 3.73 ERA) toes the mound the Pawtucket against Ty Taubenheim (2-5, 4.81 ERA) for the Indians.
NOTES- Sox pitcher John Smoltz had another impressive outing for Double A Portland yesterday and is slated to make his next two starts with the PawSox…the first as early as this Friday at McCoy.
