Game Wraps, May 16, 2008

Here is what took place across the International League last night...

The Scranton Wilkes/Barre Yankees and Louisville Bats split a double header, with the Yankees taking game one 4-0 and the Bats the nightcap 4-2. GAME ONE BOX GAME TWO BOX

The Norfolk Tides snapped their 10 game losing streak in convincing fashion, scoring seven runs over the last three innings, taking the finale of their series with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, 9-6. Chris Roberson broke the game open with a grand slam in the ninth for the Tides. BOX

The Columbus Clippers got by the Rochester Red Wings 5-4. BOX

Joel Guzman belted two homers and drove in three as the Durham Bulls pounded the Toledo Mud Hens 9-3. BOX

The Indianapolis Indians scored early and hung on to nip the Richmond Braves 5-4. BOX

Adam Lind drove in three runs as the Syracuse Chiefs are back in second place in the IL North, beating the Charlotte Knights, 7-2. BOX

Bisons Rebound, Edge PawSox 4-2

The Pawtucket Red Sox could not duplicate the success of Wednesday's double header sweep, falling to the Buffalo Bisons last night 4-2, in the finale of a four game set at Dunn Tire Park.

For the third straight game the PawSox received solid starting pitching, this time from knucleballer Charlie Zink. He threw 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits. He left the game with the score tied at 2-2.

Newcomer Hunter Jones (0-1) made his PawSox debut and yielded the go ahead run in the bottom of the seventh. With one out the Bisons collected three consecutive hits; a single by Andy Gonzalez, a double by Brad Snyder, and a single by Bronson Sardinha, driving in Gonzalez.

Jon Switzer gave up a solo homer to Danny Sandoval in the eighth to cap the Buffalo scoring.

As shaky as the PawSox pen looked, the Buffalo relief corps was strong. Following a consistent effort from starter Matt Ginter, Rich Rundles (5-1) and Rick Bauer pitched scoreless ball to close out the game. Rundles got the win. Bauer notched his tenth save.

Offensively the PawSox scattered seven hits. They scored their runs in the top of the second on an RBI triple by Sean Danielson followed by a run producing single by Chad Spann.

Sandoval drove in two runs to lead the Bisons at the plate.

The PawSox head to Pennsylvania today to begin a four game series tonight (7:00pm) with the first place Scranton Wilkes/Barre Yankees.

BOX SCORE

BUFFALO NEWS REPORT

Game 43- PawSox vs. Bisons, May 16, 2008

The PawSox look to build upon their double header sweep from yesterday as they wrap up a four game set with the Buffalo Bisons tonight in Buffalo. The PawSox will send RHP Charlie Zink (4-2, 2.91) to the mound against RHP Matt Ginter (1-4, 6.48) for Buffalo.

Here are a few pre-game tidbits...

Pawtucket Red Sox (25-17)

Yesterday's double header win put the PawSox alone in second place in the IL North Division, 3 1/2 games behind Scranton Wilkes/Barre. The PawSox are eight games over .500 for the first time since may of 2004.

Zink will have a challenge in keeping up with the success the PawSox pitching staff attained yesterday, giving up only one Buffalo run over 14 innings of the twin bill. In his last outing (May 11th) Zink picked up the win against the Norfolk Tides. He pitched six innings giving up four runs in PawSox 8-5 victory.

We have talked about how Jeff Bailey has thrived since moving to the lead-off spot in the PawSox line-up. One stat this has not been as publicized is that he has an on base percentage of .404. Not bad for a lead-off hitter...on any level.

Off the field the PawSox placed Kyle Snyder on the 7 day disabled list with a right groin strain. He suffered the injury Tuesday night against Buffalo.

Buffalo Bisons (18-23)

The Bisons look to earn a split of the series, coming from behind to win game one of the series 6-5.

Ginter will make his seventh start of the season against his former club. He won his last start last Sunday against Rochester, where he pitched six innings yielding two runs on five hits.

Game Wraps, May 15, 2008

The PawSox sweep was just part of the action across the International League yesterday. Here's a rundown...

Rain did in the game between the Scranton Wilkes/Barre Yankees and the Louisville Bats.

Andrew McCutchen singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning leading the Indianapolis Indians to the 3-2 victory. BOX

The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs have won three straight while the Norfolk Tides have lost 10 in a row after the Pigs 4-2 win. BOX

Clete Thomas had a homer and drove in four runs as the Toledo Mud Hens nipped the Durham Bulls, 6-5. BOX

The Charoltte Knights got a walk-off single by DeWayne Wise as they beat the Syracuse Chiefs, 6-5. BOX

Solid Pitching, Timely Hitting Lead PawSox to Game Two Win 9-1

The Pawtucket Red Sox completed an impressive sweep of the Buffalo Bisons this afternoon, taking game two of the double header 9-1.

David Pauley (4-2) followed the outstanding performance by Bartolo Colon in game one by throwing a gem of his own. He threw five scoreless innings, giving up five hits, walking one and striking out two. Michael Tejera and Eric Hull finished the game on the mound for the PawSox with Tejera yielding the only run of the twin bill.

Jeff Bailey continues to hammer the ball out of the lead-off spot. He went 2 for 5 with a double, homer, and two more RBI. His 10 homers place him fifth in the International League. He is also among the league leaders in RBI's (seventh with 30) and batting average (eighth at .326)

Chad Spann added to the PawSox barrage with a three-run homer in the top of the seventh. Jed Lowrie drove in a pair with Sandy Madera and Sean Danielson driving in one run each.

Joe Thurston and Dusty Brown each went 3 for 4, part of the 14 hit attack for the PawSox.

Not much positive from the Buffalo side of the field, given the Bisons were able to score only one run over 14 innings. Jason Stanford (3-4) took the loss.

The PawSox look to keep the momentum on their side when they wrap-up the four game series with Buffalo tomorrow night (7:05pm) at Dunn Tire Park. RHP Charlie Zink (4-2, 2.91) gets the call for Pawtucket against former PawSox RHP Matt Ginter (1-4, 6.48).

GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Colon Shines as PawSox Take Game One, 2-0

Bartolo Colon Pitched six scoreless innings, giving up only one hit, as the PawSox edged the Buffalo Bisons in game one of today's double header 2-0.

Colon (2-0) was solid, striking out four and walking no one. He threw only 64 pitches in six innings, 45 of which were strikes. With this solid performance the Red Sox may be pressured to call up Colon before his next start.

Chris Smith pitched a perfect seventh to notch his fourth save.

The Pawtucket runs came in the first on a George Kottaras single and a Sandy Madera sacrifice fly.

Buffalo starter Adam Miller (0-1) was also impressive in taking the loss. He gave up only two hits in his six innings on the mound.

Game two comes up momentarily with David Pauley on the mound for Pawtucket against Jason Stanford for Buffalo.

BOX SCORE

Hunter Jones Called to PawSox

LHP Hunter Jones has been promoted to the PawSox from Portland. He has pitched well for the Sea Dogs, appearing in 13 games, going 0-1 with a 1.19 ERA.