The Pawtucket Red Sox scored four runs early and hung on to nip the Syracuse Chiefs 4-3 this afternoon at McCoy in the 2010 season finale.
The PawSox got off to a fast start, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second. With one out Jorge Jimenez reached on a walk. After Gil Velazquez popped out, Jimenez advanced to second on a wild pitch by Chiefs starter Erik Arnerson (6-8). James Kang doubled home Jimenez and scored on Josh Reddick’s two-run homer to right.
Pawtucket added another run in the fourth on a Jimenez triple and Velazquez double.
Syracuse chipped away with two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth but were unable to complete the comeback.
PawSox starter Ramon Ramirez (5-5) got the win, going 5 2/3 innings giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits. He walked two and struck out seven. Two of Ramirez’ three runs given up were on solo homers, by 3B Pete Orr and C Jamie Burke.
The PawSox end the 2010 season with a record of 66-78, 4 1/2 games better than their 2009 record of 61-82. Pawtucket finishes in fourth place in the I.L. North Division.
NOTES: Jason Varitek made his second rehab start for the PawSox, going 1 for 3 as the Pawtucket DH.
Before tonight’s Red Sox game, Boston has announced the promotion of PawSox 1B Lars Anderson. Anderson will be making his Boston debut tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston also announced the promotion of Reddick, who may see action as early as tomorrow night.
BOX SCORE
After a strong stretch of winning nine out of ten, the Pawtucket Red Sox have now lost three straight, falling last night to the Syracuse Chiefs 5-4 at McCoy.
The PawSox took a 2-0 lead after three innings on a RBI double by Jack Hannahan in the second and a sacrifice fly by the rehabbing Jason Varitek in the third.
Syracuse would score three runs in the fifth to take the lead. After LF Chase Lambin walked, back-to-back doubles by RF Pete Orr and DH Jamie Burke plated two runs. One out later Burke scored on a single by CF Michael Martinez.
The PawSox knotted the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth on a fielder’s choice ground out by Lars Anderson.
Syracuse took the lead for good in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by 2B Seth Bynum and a Lambin solo homer.
The PawSox loaded the bases with no one out in the eight but could only score one run. It came on a fielder’s choice by Jorge Jimenez.
Pawtucket starter Fabio Castro gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings, but did not figure in the decision. He walked two and struck out seven.
Michael Bowden (6-4) took the loss for the PawSox, giving up the two Syracuse runs in the eighth.
The two teams wrap-up the 2010 season this afternoon at 1:05p.m. Erik Arnesen (6-7, 3.94 ERA) takes the mound for the Chiefs. Ramon Ramirez (4-5, 5.03 ERA) starts for the PawSox.
NOTES: Varitek made his first rehab start for the PawSox yesterday, working behind the plate and going 1 for 2 with an RBI. He is slated to serve as the PawSox’ DH in today’s season finale.
The Red Sox yesterday promoted RP Robert Coello to join the Boston bullpen.
BOX SCORE
The Pawtucket Red Sox wrapped up their road portion of the 2010 campaign losing their second straight game to the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees last night 6-1.
The PawSox had a 1-0 lead in the second on a pair of singles and a Jorge Jimenez ground out. The Yankees knotted the score with a run in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI single to center by DH Juan Miranda.
The Yankees took the lead for good with four runs in the sixth on RBI singles by 3B Brandon Laird and SS Eric Bruntlett and a two run double by CF Reid Gorecki.
Jorge Velazquez gave the Yankees another run in the seventh on a solo homer run off PawSox reliever Chad Paronto.
The first five runs came off Pawtucket starter Rich Hill (3-1). Hill gave up nine hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out six.
Yankees starter David Phelps (4-2) kept the PawSox in check all game long. He worked eight innings, giving up one run on five hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.
The PawSox head home for the final two games of the 2010 season. They begin tonight at 6:05p.m. with game one against the Syracuse Chiefs. Shairon Martis (8-7, 4.04 ERA) starts for the Chiefs. Fabio Castro (7-9, 4.96 ERA) takes the ball for Pawtucket.
NOTES: Fans at McCoy will be able to see a member of the Red Sox in tow in the final two games of the year. Jason Varitek is scheduled to make two rehab starts with Pawtucket, catching in tonight’s game and serving as the DH tomorrow afternoon. Varitek has been on the disabled list with a fractured right foot.
BOX SCORE
The Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankkes scored five runs in the first inning and never looked back, dominating the Pawtucket Red Sox last night 10-4 at PNC Field.
The big start came from big blows, two run homers from Yankees C Jesus Montero and CF Colin Curtis,both off PawSox starter Adam Mills. Mills (4-10) was lifted after 3 2/3 innings, giving up a total of eight runs on 12 hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.
T.J. Large surrendered the Yankees final two runs, on solo home runs by LF Chad Huffman and DH Jorge Velazguez.
Offensively the PawSox collected 14 hits, but left 10 men stranded on base. Bubba Bell had three hits and drove in two runs. Josh Reddick, Niuman Romero, Aaron Bates and Jorge Jimenez added two hits each for the PawSox.
Montero and 1B Juan Miranda had three hits each for the Yankees.
The finale of the two game set, and the final road game for Pawtucket in 2010 will be tonight at 7:05p.m. Rich Hill (3-0, 3.23 ERA) gets the start for the PawSox. He’ll be opposed by Dave Phelps (3-2, 3.32 ERA) for the Yankees.
NOTES: IF James Kang joined the PawSox after being transferred from Lowell. He did play last night, going 0 for 4 with two strikeouts
BOX SCORE
The Pawtucket Red Sox got back to its winning ways last night, edging the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs at McCoy 2-1. The PawSox have won nine of their last ten games.
Pitching again proved to be the news for the PawSox, as starter Kris Johnson put together another solid performance. Johnson (6-13) pitched five scorless innings, giving up five hits. He walked one and struck out one.
Robert Coello followed up with two scoreless innings of relief on one hit.
Tommy Hottovy struggled, giving up the Iron Pigs lone run in the eighth. Fernando Cabrera finished the game strong, earning his 21st save.
The PawSox scored their runs on a solo homer by Josh Reddick (his 17th) in the fifth and a sacrifice fly by Mark Wagner in the sixth.
Aaron Bates had a big night at the plate, going a perfect 3 for 3 with a walk. Reddick added two hits for Pawtucket.
The PawSox now head to Moosic, PA for a short two game series with the Scranton Wilkes Barre Yankees beginning tonight at 7:05p.m. Adam Mills (4-9, 5.06 ERA) throws for the PawSox. He faces D.J. Mitchell (1-0, 2.84 ERA) for the Yankees.
BOX SCORE
