The Pawtucket Red Sox built up a 9-3 lead over the Indianapolis Indians but the pitching staff could not finish the deal, as the Indians came all the way back to beat the PawSox, 10-9 this afternoon at McCoy.  Indianapolis has won the first two games of this four-game series and have won five in a row overall.

The PawSox held a 9-8 lead entering the top of the ninth, but poor pitching and shoddy defense allowed the Indians to take the lead.  2B Brian Friday led off with a single off PawSox reliever Fernando Cabrera (0-2).  Friday advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Argenis Diaz then to third on a passed ball by Pawtucket C Dusty Brown.  Friday would score the tying run on an error in left by Daniel Nava on a ball off the bat of CF Jose Tabata.  Tabata would score the winning run on an RBI single to center by LF Neil Walker.

Things were going the PawSox’ way early in the game as Pawtucket scored four runs in the bottom of the second and five more in the bottom of the third.  Bubba Bell drove in three runs and Angel Sanchez two.  Nava and Ryan Khoury also drove in runs for the PawSox.

The big lead was not enough for Pawtucket starter Michael Bowden to hold.  Bowden gave up seven runs in 4 2/3 innings of work.  He walked three, struck out two, and yielded two homers, one a grand slam in the fifth by Indians DH Brian Myrow.

Indianapolis starter Kevin Hart gave up eight runs (seven earned) in only two innings of work.

The two teams resume their series tomorrow night (6:15pm).  Daniel McCutchen makes his debut for the Indians.  He’ll be opposed by Randor Bierd (2-1, 4.50ERA) for the PawSox.

NOTES:  In off-the-field news…To make room on the 40 man roster for Alan Embree, the Red Sox designated PawSox IF Kevin Frandsen for assignment.  Frandsen must clear waivers before he can return to the PawSox.

BOX SCORE

Here is PawSox starter Kason Gabbard responding to his start last night against the Indianapolis Indians..

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Here is PawSox Manager Tory Lovullo following last night’s 7-2 loss to the Indianapolis Indians.

Here is the Projo story on the promotion of Alan Ambree to Boston.

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PAWTUCKET- It was the coldest night of the season tonight at McCoy. And it showed as neither the PawSox’ bats or arms could warm up as they fell to the Indianapolis Indians 7-2.  The Indians have won four straight.

The PawSox pitching staff had control issues all night, yielding ten walks and hitting two Indians batters.

PawSox starter Kason Gabbard (0-1), making his Pawtucket return, took the loss in his 2010 debut.  He pitched 4 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits.  He walked five, struck out five and hit a batter.  He threw 84 pitches, only 41 for strikes.

Gabbard’s inconsistency led to the first two Indians’ runs in the second.  With one out Gabbard walked 1B Steve Pearce then hit RF Brandon Moss.  After C Luke Carlin struck out, 2B Brian Friday walked and SS Argenis Diaz drove in two runs with a single to right.

Two more Indians walks and a throwing error by PawSox catcher Mark Wagner gave the Indians a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth.

The PawSox got on the board in the bottom of the fifth.  Kevin Frandsen led off with a single to center then stole second base.  After Bubba Bell fouled out to third Daniel Nava drove in Frandsen with a RBI double to right.  Josh Reddick followed with a RBI double of his own down the right field line, plating Nava.

Indianapolis added a run in the eighth on a double by 2B Brian Friday and a RBI single by CF Jose Tabata off PawSox reliever Joe Nelson.

The Indians put up three runs in the ninth on an an RBI double by Friday and a two-run single by Diaz, all off PawSox reliever Fernando Cabrera.

Friday had three hits (two doubles) to lead the Indians.  Diaz added two hits and drove in four.  Frandsen had three hits for the PawSox.

Indianapolis starter Jeremy Powell (1-3) went five innings and gave up two runs on six hits to earn the win.  He walked one and struck out four.

Game two of the series will be tomorrow afternoon (12:05pm).  Kevin Hart (1-0, 3.52 ERA) throws for the Indians.  Michael Bowden (0-0, 4.35 ERA) pitches for the PawSox.

NOTES: After the game it was announced that the Red Sox have called up Alan Embree and have sent Fabio Castro back to Pawtucket.

BOX SCORE

Back at McCoy tonight as the PawSox open a four game series with the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jeremy Powell (0-3, 11.57 ERA) pitches for the Indians. Kason Gabbard (NR) makes his return for the PawSox.

Here are the line-ups:

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (8-10, 3rd Place IL West)

Jose Tabata CF
Neil Walker 1B
Brian Myrow DH
Pedro Alvarez 3B
Steve Pearce 1B
Brandon Moss RF
Luke Carlin C
Brian Friday 2B
Argenis Diaz SS

Jeremy Powell P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (8-10, 4TH Place IL North)

Josh Reddick CF
Jorge Jimenez 3B
Angel Sanchez SS
Tug Hulett DH
Aaron Bates 1B
Mark Wagner C
Kevin Frandsen 2B
Bubba Bell RF
Daniel Nava LF

Kason Gabbard P

Gabbard returns to Pawtucket after spending time at extended spring training. Gabbard last pitched for the PawSox in 2007 when he went 7-2 with a 3.24 ERA before being traded to the Rangers in the deal for reliever Eric Gagne. The lefty had elbow surgery in 2008 and was dealt back to the Red Sox last year and spent a short time rehabbing with Lowell and Portland.

Gabbard was pressed into action after the promotion to Boston late yesterday of tonight’s originally scheduled starter LHP Fabio Castro. The Red Sox sent down reliever Scott Atchison to make room for Castro. Atchison has yet to report to the PawSox.

Powell has been ineffective in two of this three starts this season.  In his last outing April 21st against Columbus Powell gave up five runs on six hits in four innings of work.

Tonight marks the return of former PawSox outfielder Brandon Moss. Moss was traded by the Red Sox to the Pirates in 2008 as part of the three-way trade with the Dodgers that sent Manny Ramirez to Los Angeles. Moss spent the entire 2009 season with the Pirates where he batted .236 with seven home runs and 41 RBI’s in 133 games.

The hottest bat for the PawSox belongs to Daniel Nava who has a six game hitting streak, batting .474 with two doubles, a triple, a homer and seven RBI’s.

The PawSox have had a difficult time scoring runs late in games through the early part of the season. Pawtucket has only scored a total of six runs from the seventh inning on through the first 18 games of the season. The PawSox are 0-7 in games where they trail after six innings.

The Indians arrived late this morning after a 15-inning 7-6 win at Louisville. Indianapolis has won three in a row.

It is raining here at McCoy although expectations are the game will be played. I will be providing updates via Twitter throughout the game.  Full wrap-up here following.