De Jesus' Slam Steers Hot Wieners to 8-2 Win
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - On the first pitch he saw in his return from the disabled list, Iván De Jesús Jr. smacked a grand slam to headline an explosive first inning and propel the Pawtucket Hot Wieners to an 8-2 win over the Durham Bulls on Thursday night at McCoy Stadium.Playing
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - On the first pitch he saw in his return from the disabled list, Iván De Jesús Jr. smacked a grand slam to headline an explosive first inning and propel the Pawtucket Hot Wieners to an 8-2 win over the Durham Bulls on Thursday night at McCoy Stadium.
Playing as the Hot Wieners - replete all the way with neon-lettered jerseys and special caps - as a tribute to and celebration of Rhode Island's popular food item, the PawSox (58-63) sent all nine batters to the plate in the first inning and never looked back after a six-run frame. Pawtucket has now won six of its last eight games heading into the remainder of the weekend series against Durham (67-53).
Hot Wieners starter
"I loved the range of his velo, 86-87-88, that type of range," Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles said. "That's when he gets the most life on his fastball. There's times where he falls in the trap of trying to get a little more velocity. He was just letting the ball work tonight."
Right-handed reliever
De Jesús (2-for-5, R, HR, 5 RBI) led an offensive charge that racked up 12 hits. Center fielder
Durham starter and former Dodgers first-round pick
Phillips started the scoring in the bottom of the first by delivering an RBI single to center before Travis did the same to make it 2-0. Two batters later, De Jesús jumped on Lee's first offering and deposited it off the bullpen advertising for Pawtucket's third grand slam of the season.
In the fifth, De Jesús pulled an RBI single through the left side to add insurance, and Castillo followed suit in the sixth to make it 8-0.
Durham inched onto the scoreboard in the seventh with an RBI groundout and trimmed the deficit to 8-2 in the top of the ninth on a solo homer.
On Friday at 7:05 p.m., the PawSox continue their four-game series with Durham at McCoy Stadium. Pawtucket right-hander
Pawtucket's homestand runs Monday-Sunday (August 13-19), and good tickets are available. Fans can visit the McCoy Stadium box office, which is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., and during all home games. Fans can also call (401) 724-7300 or log on to PawSox.com for tickets.