Moss, Iron Pigs Put PawSox’ Backs to the Wall
Former PawSox outfielder Brandon Moss went 3 for 5 and drove in all the Lehigh Valley runs, including the game winner in the bottom of the tenth, to lead the Iron Pigs to a 3-2 win last night in game two of the International League opening round playoffs. Lehigh Valley now has a two game to nothing lead in the best-of-five series.
Pawtucket got on the board in the top of the first on a RBI double by Lars Anderson.
Moss belted his second home run of the series, a solo shot off PawSox starter Tony Pena, Jr., in the second. A Moss RBI double in the third gave Lehigh Valley a 2-1 lead.
That’s how things stayed until the top of the eighth when the PawSox knotted the score. Che-Hsuan Lin started the inning by reaching on a bunt single off Iron Pigs reliever Phillippe Aumont. Aumont then threw a wild pitch, sending Lin to second. Jose Iglesias sacrificed Lin to third. Danial Nava drove in Lin with a ground rule double to left. Unfortunately Nava was stranded at second as Anderson struck out and Hector Luna grounded out to end the inning.
PawSox reliever Randy Williams (0-1) did not help his own cause in giving up with winning run in the tenth. SS Freddy Galvais led off with a single. CF Rich Thompson then reached first after Williams could not handle his sacrifice bunt attempt. LF Scott Podsednick then advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt of his own. Williams intentionally walked 3B Kevin Frandsen before giving-up the game-winning single to Moss.
Pena gave up two runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings on the mound. He walked three and struck out two.
The remainder of the series will be played at McCoy, beginning with a do-or-die game three for Pawtucket tonight at 6:05p.m. Brian Bass (8-10, 3.81 ERA) starts for the Iron Pigs. Alex Wilson (1-0, 3.43 ERA) will get the ball for the PawSox.
NOTES: The winner of this series will be matched-up against defending Governor’s Cup Champion Columbus Clippers. The Clippers swept away the Durham Bulls, winning game three last night 5-2.
There was one roster move made by the PawSox yesterday as Royce Ring rejoined the team from Portland. The move was made after Boston called-up Scott Atchison to join the Red Sox bullpen.
