PAWTUCKET-  Tim Wakefield made his second rehab start with the PawSox an impressive one, earning the win as Pawtucket nipped the Rochester Red Wings tonight, 2-1 at McCoy.  The win snapped Pawtucket’s ten game losing streak.

Wakefield (1-1) was extremely effective, working 5 2/3 innings, giving up only one run on two hits. The one run did come on a homer to left by Rochester DH Justin Huber.  Wake walked one and struck out four.  He threw 81 pitches, 56 for strikes.  He hit the last batter he faced, which ironically was Huber.

After his start Wakefield said he felt comfortable on the mound  and believes he is ready to rejoin the Red Sox for his next start. (Video of Wakefield’s press conference coming soon)

Following Wakefield PawSox relievers Jose Vaquedano, Dustin Richardson, Javier Lopez, and T.J. Large held the Red Wings to one hit over the last 3 1/3 innings.

Trailing 1-0, the PawSox took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.  After Angel Chavez singled and Chris Woodward walked, Josh Reddick drove in Chavez with a single to right.  After the next two batters were retired, Jeff Bailey drove in the second run on a bloop single down the right field line.

Rochester starter Armanado Gabino worked only three innings, giving up one hit, walking two and striking out one. Rochester reliever Juan Morillo (4-6) took the loss.

The PawSox open up a four game series against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs beginning tomorrow night  (6:05 pm).  Gustavo Chacin (7-3, 3.47 ERA) will pitch for the Iron Pigs.  Adam Mills (0-1, 7.88 ERA) will throw for the PawSox.

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It looked like the PawSox were on the verge of snapping their nine game losing streak last night at McCoy against the Rochester Red Wings.  Pawtucket led 3-1 entering the last frame.  But instead it all turned around as Rochester scored four runs in the ninth to come away with a 5-3 win that earned the PawSox their tenth straight loss…

Marcus McBeth (2-2) took the loss in the ninth as the first six Red Wings batters in the inning reached base, with four runs scoring.  Javier Lopez also worked the inning and gave up two hits during the Rochester onslaught.

The game looked like it was to be a pitchers duel as both clubs held each other in check until the sixth inning when Rochester took the lead on an RBI single by CF Dustin Martin.

The PawSox took the lead in the bottom of the seventh on RBI hits by Dusty Brown and Angel Chavez.  They tacked on another in the eighth on an RBI single by Aaron Bates.

Randor Beird pitched well in his start for the PawSox.  He worked seven innings, giving up only one run on four hits.  He struck out eight and did not walk a batter

I plan to be at McCoy tonight (7:05 PM) as Tim Wakefield (0-1, 4.91 ERA) will make his second rehab start for the PawSox. He faces Armando Gabino (5-3, 2.93 ERA) for the Red Wings.

NOTES:  It was announced after the game that OF Chris Dunacn was released by the Red Sox.  Duncan was acquired last month from the Cardinals in exchange for SS Julio Lugo.

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PAWTUCKET-  The Pawtucket Red Sox losing streak has now reached nine games after they fell to the Rochester Red Wings, 5-1 tonight in game two of a day-night double header at McCoy.  Pawtucket lost game one earlier this afternoon 6-0.

The PawSox were able to muster only five hits in the nightcap after collecting three hits in the matinee.  Pawtucket did snap a 16 1/3  inning scoreless streak when Jeff Bailey clubbed an opposite field solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.  Bailey had two hits for Pawtucket.

PawSox starter Paul Byrd (0-1) took the loss in his first appearance for Pawtucket as he prepares to possibly join Boston by the end of the season.  He pitched four innings, giving up three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three.  He threw 74 pitches, 49 for strikes.  But for Byrd, the stats mean little…

“Overall my body felt good, it was nice to get back in front of a crowd” said Byrd, “The most important thing for me is that I’m commanding  pitches.”

Byrd said he needs one more start before he feels he’ll be ready to join Boston.

“Today was a big step for me because I needed to see if my fastball was good enough.” said Byrd  “I’d like to get my pitch count up into the 90′s and see that slider get just a hair better and we’ll go from there.”

PawSox Manager Ron Johnson was impressed by Byrd’s performance, and said his expereince speaks volumes as to when he will return to the big leagues.

“Paul Byrd knows” said Johnson, “When you see experience at that level of what he has done in his career, it’s fun to watch.”

Rochester scored two runs off Byrd in the top of the second on a RBI double by DH Trevor Plouffe.  They added another in the third on an RBI single by LF Justin Huber.

Hunter Jones relieved Byrd and pitched 2 1/3 innings yielding two runs in the sixth on RBI singles by CF Dustin Martin and SS Matt Tolbert..

Rochester starter Jason Jones (4-10), who struggled for most of the season, put up an exemplary performance against the PawSox.  He threw seven innings, giving up only one run on four hits.  He walked two and struck out four.

Rochester banged out thirteen hits with Huber, Plouffe, Martin, Danny Velencia, and Brock Peterson collecting two hits each.

The two teams play game four of their series tomorrow night at 7:05pm.  R.A. Dickey (0-1, 12.19 ERA) starts for the Red Wings.  He’ll be opposed by Randor Bierd (1-1, 4.85 ERA) for the PawSox.

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Two Rochester pitchers combined to give up only three hits as the Red Wings shutout the Pawtucket Red Sox this afternoon, 6-0 at McCoy Stadium in game one of a day-night double header.  The loss is the PawSox’ eighth straight.

Yohan Pino (2-2) worked eight solid innings, giving up three hits while walking one and striking out eight.  George Kottaras had two hits, including a double for the PawSox.  Aaron Bates had the other Pawtucket hit.

Charlie Zink (5-14) struggled once again, giving up all six runs (four earned) on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings.  Billy Traber pitcher scoreless ball over the remaining 3 2/3 innings of the game.

SS Matt Tolbert collected thre hits for the Red Wings.  3B Danny Velencia had two doubles and drove in two for Rochester.

I plan on being at McCoy for tonight’s nightcap beginning at 7:05pm.  Paul Byrd will make his first start for Pawtucket as he prepares to join Boston later this season.  Jason Jones (3-10, 6.01 ERA) will throw for the Red Wings.

More from McCoy when I get there…

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Gwinnett 1B Barbaro Canizares broke up a 2-2 tie with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to lead the Braves to a 3-2 win over the PawSox this afternoon at Gwinnett Stadium.  The win earned the Braves a sweep of the four game series with Pawtucket.

Pawtucket out-hit the Braves 11-8 but again could not find the timely hitting needed to drive in runs.  Chris Carter led the PawSox with three hits, including two doubles.  Travis Denker belted a solo home run for the PawSox.  The other run was driven in via an RBI triple by Josh Reddick.

Both clubs received supberb starting pitching.  Adam Mills’ second start for Pawtucket was more memorable than his first.  He worked six innings, giving up two runs on six hits.  He struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Jo-Jo Reyes was equally up to the task for the Braves.  He worked 6 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on nine hits.  He also did not walk a batter and struck out five.

Marcus McBeth (2-1) took the loss for the PawSox.  Buddy Carlyle (3-0) got the win for the Braves.

The PawSox return home tomorrow night (7:05pm) to open up their longest home stand of the season.  Their first opponent will be the Rochester Red Wings. Rochester will send Phillip Humber (7-7, 5.28 ERA) to the hill.  He’ll be opposed by Kris Johnson (3-13, 6.25 ERA) for the PawSox.

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PAWSOX REPORT