We are back at McCoy for the series finale between the PawSox and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.  Pawtucket is looking to earn a split of the amended four game series.  Brian Mazone (6-12, 3.71 ERA) gets the start for Lehigh Valley.  Rich Hill (2-0, 2.87 ERA) will get the ball for Pawtucket.

Here are the line-ups:

LEHIGH VALLEY IRON PIGS (49-76, 5th Place IL North)

Rich Thompson CF
Melvin Dorta 2B
John Mayberry, Jr. RF
Andy Tracy DH
Cody Ranson 3B
Neil Sellers 1B
Chris Aguila LF
Dane Sardinha C
Brian Bocock SS

Brian Mazone P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (54-71, 4TH Place IL North)

Josh Reddick  CF
Niuman Romero 2B
Bubba Bell RF
Aaron Bates 1B
Lars Anderson DH
Jack Hannahan 3B
Jeremy Hermida LF
Kevin Cash C
Gil Velazquez SS

Rich Hill P

The big news in the clubhouse was the promotion today of IF Yamiaco Navarro.  He will take the roster sport in Boston left  by Dustin Pedroia, who was once again placed on the 15-day disabled list.  PawSox Manager Torey Lovullo says Navarro’s promotion was well earned.

“Our evaluation as a staff was that he exceeded our expectations and has been playing considerably better than anyone else on this field.” said Lovullo.

As a corresponding move the PawSox have reinstated IF Jorge Jimenez from the disabled list.  Jimenez had been sidelined since August 9th with a right foot contusion.  Lovullo said Jimenez has worked hard to get back into action and will serve as the club’s utility infielder.

Kevin Cash is in Pawtucket for one game as part of his rehab assignment.  Cash was placed on the DL by Boston August 11th with a left hamstring strain.

T.J. Large is back with the team although he has not been officially activated.  Large was placed on the DL June 28th with a right lat strain.

Hill is coming off an impressive performance in his last start, giving up only one run in five innings in a win Sunday against the Buffalo Bisons.

I will be providing updates throughout the night via Twitter.  Check back here after the game for a complete wrap-up.

We are back here at McCoy for tonight’s finale of a four game set between the PawSox and Buffalo Bisons.  The PawSox have taken the last two games in the series after Buffalo took the opener.  Tonight’s starters are Fernando Nieve (1-0, 4.26 ERA) for Buffalo and Fabio Castro (5-7, 4.74 ERA) for the PawSox.

Here are the starting line-ups:

BUFFALO BISONS (64-56, 2nd Place IL North)

Jesus Feliciano RF
Justin Turner 2B
Lucas Duda LF
Nick Evans 1B
Kirk Niewenhuis CF
Valentino Pascucci DH
Mike Cervenak 3B
Luis Hernandez SS
J.R. House C

Fernando Nieve P

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (53-68, 4TH Place IL North)

Bubba Bell CF
Jack Hannahan 3B
Daniel Nava RF
Dusty Brown C
Lars Anderson 1B
Yamaico Navarro DH
Jeremy Hermida LF
Niuman Romero 2B
Gil Velazquez SS

Fabio Castro P

RP Dustin Richardson was spotted in the PawSox locker room before the game.  Although no official word has come down from Boston, could this be the roster move the Red Sox will make when they activate Dustin Pedroia off the disabled list tomorrow?

Carlos Delgado is being given the night off as he experiencing discomfort in his back.  PawSox Manager Torey Lovullo said the injury is nothing serious and Delgado is still listed as a potential bat off the bench.  Lovullo said Delgado will be examined by the PawSox’ physician and does not expect he will miss any significant playing time.

PawSox catcher Mark Wagner took batting practice today and is getting closer to rejoining the team, possibly as soon as this week.  Wagner was placed on the disbaled list retroactive to July 31st when he aggravated his left wrist.  Wagner was shut down in April after surgery to remove the hamate bone in his left hand.

Castro has pitched well his last two starts, giving up only one run on six hits over 10 2/3 innings of work.

On the other side of the field Nieve is coming off his first win of the season, going six innings in a 10-4 Buffalo win over the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees.

We will be providing updates during the game on Twitter.  Make a point to join us after the game for a complete wrap-up.

PawSox catcher Jarrod Slatalamacchia is seeing his first action tonight after being acquired Saturday in a trade with the Texas Rangers.   Saltalamacchia spoke to the media right after batting practice.  Here are some excerpts…

- On his new opportunity:

“I’m excited. A fresh start.  I have a lot to look forward to.  I’m here to learn as much as I can and take it all in and take advantage of everything I get.”

- On the Red Sox having their sights on him for some time:

“To be in an organization where they want me, they gave up a lot to get me.  I’m ready to do whatever they want me to do.”

On his progression since suffering throwing issues earlier in the year:

“I’ve dealt with a lot of stuff since the beginning of the season.  I feel confident that I beat it.  The past four months I’ve been playing well with no issues.  I hope to continue to do that.”  ”I worked with a lot of people and got a lot out of it this past year.  I think I’ve improved my game by doing stuff I never used to do.  All in all I think it was a good thing to happen to me.”  ”It was a physical issue I allowed to become mental.  Once I realized it was a physical issue, the metal part went out of it.”

On fitting into the Red Sox long-term plans at catcher:

“I’m looking at this as a fresh start.  Learn as much as I can from these guys (Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez in Boston).  They’ve got a legacy here and I hope to be part of it for a long time.  It’s all what I do with the opportunity right now.”

On playing in the media market that is Boston:

“It’s huge. They’re definitely one of the teams that you play, whether at home or on the road, there are always Boston fans.”

On changing organizations mid-season and his familiarity with the Red Sox:

“It’s different.  I know a few guys. I’ve got to get familiar with the organization all over again.  It’s going to be a road ahead.”  ”I know Ryan Shealy from a few years back and Browny (Dusty Brown).  I’m looking forward to making new friends and being on the east coast again.”

PawSox Manager Torey Lovullo on Saltalamacchia:

“He brings some leadership, some experience. There’s a presence there.”  ”I know he’s got an impressive offensive approach.  His defensive approach is something we’ll need to see each and every day to see what his strengths and weaknesses are.”

Lovullo on Saltalamacchia’s role and how he will manage three catchers:

“I haven’t been told how the playing time will work out.”  It’s a unique challenge at times.  The balancing act may be some DH time for the off guy.  (Wagner) is battling some issues and will be taking the next few days off.  So for today and tomorrow we’ll be OK. After that I’m going to get some planning from the front office on who the priority guy is.”

Saltalamachia will be wearing number 32 for Pawtucket

We are back at McCoy tonight to take in game three of the four game series between the PawSox and the Durham Bulls.  Durham has won the first two games of the series and have won a franchise high 11 games in a row overall.

Here are the line-ups:

DURHAM BULLS (68-40, 1st Place IL South)

Desmond Jennings CF
Elliot Johnson SS
Justin Ruggiano RF
Chris Richard DH
Joe Dillon 1B
Dioner Navarro C
J.J. Furmaniak 2B
Angel Chavez 3B
Fernando Perez LF

Brian baker P (7-1, 2.56 ERA)

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (47-62, 4TH Place IL North)

Josh Reddick CF
Niuman Romero RF
Jarrd Saltalamacchia C
Ryan Shealy DH
Lars Anderson 1B
Aaron Bates LF
Jack Hannahan 3B
Tug Hulett 2B
Gil Velazquez SS

Robert Coello P (2-5, 5.23 ERA)

Saltalamacchia is making his PawSox debut tonight after being acquired over the weekend from the Texas Rangers.  The highly-touted catcher spent 63 games with the Rangers’ Triple A affiliate at Oklahoma City, where he hit .244 with 11 homers and 33 RBI’s.  In 240 Major League games, with the Braves and Rangers, Saltalamacchia hit .251 with 21 homers and 94 RBI’s.  He had his 2009 season cut short to undergo surgery to remove a rib which had inhibited his throwing arm.

Daniel Nava is back with the Red Sox, called up to take the roster spot of Mike Cameron, who was placed on the 15 day disabled list this afternoon.

PawSox Manager Torey Lovullo is excited to get Felix Doubront some experience out of the PawSox bullpen.  Lovullo says Doubront will be given a number of different relief scenarios before a determination is made when, or if, he will be called up to Boston.

After a promising start to his Pawtucket season Coello has fell on hard times, losing his last four starts.  In those starts Coello has thrown 19 innings, giving up 20 earned runs.

For Durham Baker has pitched well over his last two outings, each resulting in a no decision.  He has only given up three earned runs in his last 11 innings of work.

We will provide updates throughout the game via Twitter and have a complete wrap at game’s end.

It has been quite a dry run, but I am back here at McCoy for tonight’s game between the PawSox and and the Toledo Mud Hens.  The PawSox are looking to snap a three game losing streak.

Here are the line-ups:

TOLEDO MUD HENS (46-50, 4th Place IL West)

Scott Sizemore 3B
Will Rhymes 2B
Jeff Frazier LF
Jeff Larish 1B
Wilkin Ramirez DH
Ben Guez RF
Robinson Dlugach SS
Casper Wells CF
Robinson Diaz C

Gilbert De La Vara P (0-1, 6.14 ERA)

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (43-52, 4TH Place IL North)

Ryan Kalish CF
Jeremy Hermida LF
Nuiman Romero SS
Aaron Bates DH
Lars Anderson 1B
Mark Wagner C
Josh Reddick RF
Argenis Reyes 2B
Gil Velazquez 3B

Kris Johnson P (4-7, 5.04 ERA)

The big news pre-game was the noticeable absence of IF Jed Lowrie, who had been rehabbing in Pawtucket since coming down with mononucleosis during Spring Training.  No comment from the PawSox on his status as of this writing.

C Gustavo Molina has cleared waivers and has rejoined the PawSox.  Molina played in four games with Boston, batting .143 before being designated for assignment last week.  For the time being the PawSox will carry three catchers, with Wagner and Juan Apodaca joining Molina..

Jeremy Hermida will make his second start tonight. this time playing left field.  PawSox Manager Torey Lovullo said Hermida was set to play the outfield yesterday, but a slick field caused by mid-day rains forced him to serve as the DH.  Hermida went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts last night.

Lars Anderson is riding a ten game hitting streak, over which he has hit .400 with six doubles and six RBI’s.

Johnson is coming off a win his last time out.  He pitched six innings, giving up only one run on four hits in Pawtucket’s 8-2 victory.  It was Johnson’s first win since May 24th.

Follow along with us throughout the game on Twitter.  I will provide a complete wrap after the game.