PawSox Take Opener from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 5-4
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Facing off against the Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees, the Pawtucket Red Sox came from behind to top the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 5-4, on Monday night at McCoy Stadium in a game also broadcast live throughout the region on NESN.Trailing 3-0 after a half-inning, the PawSox (18-22)
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Facing off against the Triple-A affiliate of the Yankees, the Pawtucket Red Sox came from behind to top the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 5-4, on Monday night at McCoy Stadium in a game also broadcast live throughout the region on NESN.
Trailing 3-0 after a half-inning, the PawSox (18-22) chipped away with a pair of home runs and a late boost of offense to grab the opener of the four-game series with the RailRiders (19-23) and the first matchup of the nine-game homestand. Pawtucket, which had scored just one run in the three-game weekend sweep at the hands of Rochester (Minnesota Twins), snapped a four-game losing skid.
Red Sox right-hander Héctor Velázquez, who had posted a 2.10 ERA in the majors over 10 appearances before landing on the disabled list last Monday with a lower back strain, made his first rehab appearance and cruised through a 1-2-3 seventh inning on 13 pitches (nine strikes), highlighted by a strikeout to begin his evening. Fellow righty
Earlier in the night, Pawtucket left-hander
Pawtucket center fielder
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter
The RailRiders started the scoring in the top of the first on a solo homer from left fielder
The PawSox grabbed a pair in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit to 3-2. Olt led off the inning with an opposite-field solo homer - his sixth Triple-A long ball of the season - and Sturgeon plugged the right-center gap with an RBI double.
The RailRiders responded in the top of the third with an unearned run thanks to a Pawtucket error, upping the lead to 4-2.
Pawtucket inched back in the home half of the fourth inning on a second RBI two-bagger from Sturgeon, this one mashed the opposite way to the wall in left field.
Down 4-3 entering the bottom of the seventh, Pawtucket tied the game when Tavarez yanked a solo homer to right field - his second blast of the season.
Then in the bottom of the eighth, Olt worked a leadoff walk and bolted first to third on a single to right field from Flores. With the infield back, catcher
The PawSox continue the four-game series with the RailRiders on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. Pawtucket right-hander
The nine-game, eight-day homestand runs through the following Monday (May 28). Good seats are available, and 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.