PawSox Need Ten to Nip Clippers 3-2

The PawSox snapped their four game losing streak last night, as George Kottaras drove in his second run of the game in the top of the 10th inning to lead Pawtucket to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Clippers.

Kottaras' hit came with two outs off Columbus reliever Chris Schroder (5-3), plating Joe Thurston, who had led off the inning with ground-rule double to right.

The PawSox held a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth when the Clippers managed to tie the game off Pawtucket reliever Hunter Jones. Roger Bernadina led off with a ground-rule double and advanced to third on a bunt single by Leonard Davis. Bernadina scored on a ground out to first by Lastings Milledge. Jones then settled down, retiring the next two Columbus batters.

Once again the PawSox received a solid performance out of its pitching staff, led last night by starter Davern Hansack. Hansack worked seven innings, giving up one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out 11. Jones worked a scoreless ninth and earned the win. Chris Smith pitched the tenth to garner his 10th save of the year.

The PawSox scored their other runs of the game in the first inning. Jeff Bailey led off with a walk and advanced to third on a Thurston double. One out later Bailey scored on a ground out by Chris Carter. Thurston was driven in on a Kottaras double to right.

Thurston and Kottaras each had two hits as part of the 8-hit Pawtucket attack. Bernadina, Davis, and Luis Jiminez had two hits each for Columbus.

The two teams wrap up their four game series with a matinee (12:00pm) match-up this afternoon at Cooper Stadium. RHP Charlie Zink (11-3, 2.83) looks to get back to his winning ways on the mound for Pawtucket. He'll be opposed by RHP Marco Estrada (2-1, 4.89) for the Clippers.

BOX SCORE

PawSox Lose Fourth Straight 4-1

The PawSox are officially in a slump.

It's taken over 100 games, but Pawtucket has now lost four in a row for the first time this season, dropping a 4-1 decision last night to the Columbus Clippers. The PawSox loss, combined with another Scranton/Wilkes Barre win, means Pawtucket is holding a slim 1/2 game lead over the Yankees in the IL North Division.

The PawSox offense once again could not solve the Clippers pitching staff. Pawtucket produced only six hits, and scored their lone run in the top of the sixth on an RBI single to right by Chris Carter. Carter ended up being thrown out at second on the play trying to stretch the play into a double.

Jeff Bailey and Joe Thurston produced consecutive singles to lead off the first, but Jonathan Van Every, Carter, and Dusty Brown were all called out on strikes, ending the threat. That PawSox were also able to get two runners on with one out in the fourth but could not score.

Pawtucket was held at bay by the impressive starting pitching of Sharon Martis (1-2). Through 5 2/3 innings of work Martis have up only five hits, but struck out 12 while walking only two.

The PawSox staff again held its own. Edgar Martinez (4-2) suffered his first loss since May 30th but pitched well. He worked five innings, giving up all four Columbus runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out six. Martinez did surrender a two run homer to 3B Yurendell de Caster in the second inning.

Lincoln Holdzkom and Jose Vaquedano pitched a combined three innings of scoreless relief.

The PawSox look to end the skid tonight (7:05pm) as they play game three with the Clippers at Cooper Stadium. RHP Devern Hansack (5-9, 4.22) takes the mound for Pawtucket. He'll be opposed by RHP Tyler Clippard (6-7, 4.30) for the Clippers.

BOX SCORE

Game 104- PawSox vs. Clippers, July 22, 2008

The PawSox look to avoid losing their fourth straight tonight (7:05pm) when they play game two of four in Columbus against the Clippers. RHP Edgar Martinez (4-1, 3.96) throws for Pawtucket against RHP Sharon Martis (0-2, 3.60) for the Clippers.

No time for a long preview, so let's just look at tonight's pitchers...

Pawtucket Red Sox (63-40)

Martinez makes his ninth start of 2008. He won his last outing last Thursday at home against Toledo. In that game he threw 6 1/3 innings giving up three runs on four hits. Over his last four games Martinez is 2-0 with a 4.06 ERA. Martinez only loss came back on May 30th.

Columbus Clippers (55-46)

Martis toes the mound for his sixth start of the year. He lost his last outing last Thursday in Indianapolis. In that game he threw 6 1/3 innings giving up two runs on seven hits. Martis spent most of his season in Double A Harrisburg where he complied a 4-4 record with a 3.98 ERA.

PawSox, Bowden Fall to Clippers 4-1

It's been rare to see the PawSox offense struggle. But that's what happened last night as three Columbus pitchers combined to limit Pawtucket to only five hits in the Clippers' 4-1 win at Cooper Stadium.

The PawSox scored an unearned run in the third, thanks to the hustle of outfielder Sean Danielson. With one out Danielson singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Columbus catcher Luke Montz. He scored two batters alter on a Joe Thurston sacrifice fly.

Danielson and Chris Carter had two hits each for the PawSox.

Last night was the Triple A debut for Red Sox pitching prospect Michael Bowden (0-1). He struggled right out of the gate, giving up three runs over his first two innings of work. Bowden finished working four innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. He struck out four and walked no one. He threw 84 pitches, 57 for strikes.

Michael Tejera and Eric Hull pitched a combined four innings of relief, with Hull surrendering a run to the Clippers in the bottom of the seventh.

The Clippers received a stellar pitching performance out of starter Garrett Mock (6-3). In picking up the win Mock went seven innings, giving up an unearned run on five hits. He walked one and struck out six.

Relievers Ryan Wagner and Chris Schroder pitched the final two innings without yielding a Pawtucket hit.

Columbus lead-off man Jorge Padilla collected three hits to pace the Clippers offense. Roger Bernadina and Leonard Davis added two hits apiece.

With the loss, and another Scranton/Wilkes Barre win, the PawSox are only 1 1/2 games up on the Yankees in the IL North Division.

Game two of the four game series is tonight (7:05pm). RHP Edgar Martinez (4-1, 3.96) will start for the PawSox. He'll be opposed by RHP Sharon Martis (0-2, 3.60) for the Clippers.

BOX SCORE

Game 103- PawSox vs. Clippers, July 21, 2008

The PawSox are back on the road tonight (7:05 pm), beginning an 8-game Ohio trip with the first of four with the Columbus Clippers. RHP Michael Bowden (NR) throws for the PawSox against RHP Garrett Mock (5-3, 3.28) for the Clippers.

Here is a brief look at the game...

Pawtuckwet Red Sox (63-39)

The PawSox enter the game losers of two straight. But they have won their last two road games. Pawtucket still sits atop the IL North Division, 2 1/2 games ahead of Scranton Wilkes/Barre. The PawSox won three of four over the Clippers in their only series played last month at McCoy.

Bowden makes his PawSox and Triple-A debut tonight. The Red Sox pitching prospect was promoted from Portland at the All-Star Break. Over his 19 starts with the Sea Dogs, Bowden compiled a 9-4 record with a 2.33 ERA. Bowden had been on the minor league disabled list with a strained calf.

Columbus Clippers (54-46)

Columbus sits in third place in the IL West Division, 4 games behind Louisville. They have lost seven of their last ten games heading into action tonight.

Mock makes his 17th start of the season. He last pitched on July 11th in a loss to Scranton. He threw six innings giving up three runs on five hits.

Van Every Powers PawSox to Extra Inning Win

Outfielder Jonathan Van Every belted a two run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the tenth to lift the PawSox to a 8-6 win over the Columbus Clippers this afternoon at McCoy.

Van Every's homer came on a 2-2 pitch off Clippers' reliever Mike Bacsik (5-3), scoring Bryan Pitz who led the inning with a single.

The PawSox belted four homers in the game. Jeff Bailey hit two of them, both solo shots, giving him 22 for the season. George Kottaras (#12) added a two run homer in the sixth.

Jed Lowrie (2 for 4) and Keith Ginter (2 for 3, 2 doubles) drove in the other Pawtucket runs.

Bailey's two homers contributed to his 3 for 4 day at the plate. Pitz also had two hits (2 for 5) for Pawtucket.

The PawSox received consistent starting pitching from Edgar Martinez. He worked 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. He walked two and struck out seven. The damage to Martinez came on an Alex Escobar two-run homer in the sixth.

PawSox relievers Miguel Asencio and Michael Tejera gave up four runs in the seventh via a Lance Broadway grand slam to briefly give the Clippers a 6-4 lead. The PawSox quickly tied the game in the bottom of the frame on Bailey's second homer and and RBI double by Ginter.

Lincoln Holdzkom and Hunter Jones pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings the rest of the game. Jones (3-2) picked-up the win.

Lance Broadway had a big day at the plate for Columbus. He went 2 for 5 which included his grand slam.

With the win the PawSox took three of four from Columbus and find themselves at 16 games above .500 (47-31) for the first time this year.

Pawtucket opens up a four game series beginning tomorrow night (7:05 pm) at McCoy against the Richmond Braves. RHP Brian Lawrence (0-1, 8.10) throws for the Braves. RHP Charlie Zink (8-2, 2.14) will go for the PawSox.

BOX SCORE

Game 78- Clippers vs. PawSox, June 22, 2008

I'm back following a restful week in Mickeyland. My week away was an eventful one for the PawSox...a 6-1 record and a spot alone atop the IL North with the league's best record. I should take a break more often! (By the way, I will also be away from my computer next Friday-Sunday).

Pawtucket looks to take three of four from the Columbus Clippers with a win today (1:05 pm) in the series finale at McCoy. RHP Shairon Martis (NR) pitches for Columbus while RHP Edgar Martinez (2-1, 4.34) goes for the PawSox.

Even though I am back in town, my priorities will keep me away from the stadium for a few days...so we will be restricted to reports from the home base. Here is a brief preview of today's game..

Columbus Clippers (41-33)

Two straight losses to the PawSox have put the Clippers two games out of first in the IL West behind division-leading Toledo.

Martis makes his 2008 Triple A debut this afternoon. He was promoted from Double A Harrisburg where he complied a record of 4-4 with an ERA of 3.98 over 14 starts.

Pawtucket Red Sox (46-31)

The PawSox enter the game winners of 6 of their last seven and 8 of 10. Pawtucket is at 15 games above .500 for the first time since the end of the 2003 season.

This will be Martinez' first start since June 11th. In that game he pitched well, allowing only one earned run in 4 2/3 innings. He did not get the decision in the PawSox' 11-3 win over Louisville.

It's easy to see why the PawSox are atop the division and the league when you look at their balance. Offensively the PawSox are second in the IL in batting (.269). They lead the league in runs scored (404) and are second in homers (99) and walks (289).

On the mound Pawtucket is third in the league in team ERA at 3.70.

The PawSox defense has been stellar, as they own the best fielding percentage (.983) in the International League.