Dusty Brown drove in the winning run with an RBI double in the bottom of the ninth as the PawSox edged the Durham Bulls last night 2-1. The win earned a split of the four game series with Durham at McCoy.
With one out in the ninth Aaron Bates drove a double to left off Bulls pitcher Jason Childers (6-2). Freddie Guzman came in to run for Bates. Jonathan Van Every was walked intentionally before Brown doubled home the game winner to deep left.
The PawSox were once again bouyed by a solid pitching performance out of starter Clay Buchholz. Although not as efficient as in his previous starts, Buchholz gave up only one run, a solo home run by John Jaso. Buchholz pitched five innings, giving up 5 hits, walking 3 and striking out 2. He threw 92 pitches, 51 for strikes.
Marcus McBeth, Hunter Jones, and Rocky Cherry worked scoreless ball the rest of the way with Cherry improving his record to 2-0.
Chris Carter, Chip Ambres, and Angel Chavez each had two hits to pace the PawSox.
The PawSox have Wednesday off as they head to Syracuse for a series with the Chiefs. They begin the set with a doubleheadder on Thursday. John Smoltz (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will make his second rehab start for the PawSox in the opener. Charlie Zink (4-4, 3.67 ERA) will throw in the nightcap.
NOTES_ Jonathan Van Every returned to the PawSox after being on the disabled list with a left knee strain. Van Every went 0 for 1 with three walks last night.
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PAWSOX REPORT
PROJO REPORT
The formula remains the same for the Pawtucket Red Sox–good pitching, weak hitting, and a close loss. The PawSox fell to the Durham Bulls last night 3-2 at McCoy.
The PawSox had their chances in the early going against Durham starter Wade Davis (6-3). Pawtucket had two men on in the first and second and the bases loaded in the third but were unable to drive any runners in.
Enrique Gonzalez (5-6) pitched well for the PawSox, but suffered the loss. He went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. He walked 2, struck out 3, and gave up a solo home run to Bulls 2B Henry Mateo.
Returning to the line-up after sitting a couple of games with a sore hamstring, Chris Carter led all PawSox with 3 hits. Newcomer Aaron Bates played first base and was 0 for 4 with an RBI.
The finale of the four game series and the homestand is tonight (7:05pm) as Clay Buchholz (4-0, 1.74 ERA) returns to the mound for Pawtucket. He’ll be up against Carlos Hernandez (4-2, 3.30 ERA) for the Bulls.
NOTES: As mentioned earlier Bates made his PawSox debut last night. To make room for him on the roster, OF Sean Danielson was placed on the 7-day disabled list.
BOX SCORE
PAWSOX REPORT
PROJO REPORT
Kevin Thomas at the Portland Press Herald is reporting that Portland Sea Dogs outfielder Aaron Bates has been promoted to the PawSox.
Bates is off to a great start for the Sea Dogs, batting .340 with 7 home runs and 39 RBI’s. He was named the Eastern League’s Offensive Player of the Month for May. He comes to Pawtucket at a time when the offense is struggling.
No word on what corresponding roster move the PawSox will have to make to add Bates to the team.
The PawSox and the Louisville Bats were rained out tonight at McCoy. Because it was the last scheduled game between the clubs this season the game will not be made-up.
Red Sox starter John Smoltz, slated to pitch in a rehab assignment with Pawtucket, will pitch tomorrow night (6:05pm) when the PawSox host the Durham Bulls.
Fate is not on my side again as I will be unable to return to McCoy tommorrow to catch Smoltz in action. Bummer. For those of you who will be there, enjoy the game!
It’s raining…the tarp is on the field, but all systems are still go that we’ll have baseball tonight as Red Sox starter John Smoltz makes his first PawSox rehab appearance as the Pawtucket Red Sox close out their four game series with the Louisville BLouisville Batsats. I’m here so let’s do a preview. Here are the line-ups…
Louisville Bats (26-28, 2nd, IL West)
Drew Sutton 3B
Drew Stubbs CF
Darnell McDonald RF
Kevin Barker 1B
Wes Bankston DH
Danny Dorn LF
Louis Bolivar SS
Danny Richar
Craig Tatum C
Pawtucket Red Sox (28-25, 2nd IL East)
Jeff Bailey 1B
Travis Denker2B
Chris Carter DH
Dusty Brown C
Paul McAnulty LF
Chip Ambres RF
Gil Velazquez SS
Angel Chavez 3B
Freddie Guzman CF
Smoltz will be making his fourth rehab start in his return from shoulder surgery. Over his first three starts Smoltz is 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA. He is expected to throw a maximum of 85 pitches tonight.
Since this is the last meeting of the season between the PawSox and the Bats, there will be a wait before the game is called. We’ll be here to update you on the weather and/or the progress of the game.
