PawSox Fall Short Against Tides at Norfolk

PawSox news release…

(Norfolk, VA) – Despite a solid pitching performance, the Pawtucket Red Sox dropped game two of their four-game series against the Norfolk Tides, 3-2, on Friday night at Harbor Park.

Starter Aaron Wilkerson (1-1) and reliever Robby Scott combined to strike out nine and walk none, but the PawSox (26-28) could not overcome Norfolk’s (19-36) two-run third inning.  

The close loss continued a trend for Pawtucket, as 10 of its 13 road defeats this year have come by two runs or less, including six one-run decisions.

The PawSox got off to a fast start in the opening inning. Ryan LaMarre singled, stole second, advanced to third on an errant throw on the steal attempt and scored on Bryce Brentz’s groundout.

In the bottom half of the frame, Wilkerson picked up where he left off last weekend. After fanning nine last weekend, he struck out the side to open his night.

But Trey Mancini attacked Wilkerson’s first pitch in the second inning and drove it over the right field fence for his sixth home run of the season.

In the third inning, Michael Almanzar drove a leadoff double by the diving LaMarre in center field. Xavier Avery followed with a single to left field that scored Almanzar. The left fielder Brentz’s throw back to the infield was wide of the cutoff man, which allowed Avery to move all the way to third base.

The next batter, Dariel Alvarez, delivered a sacrifice fly and the unearned run gave the Tides a 3-1 advantage.

In 5.2 innings pitched, Wilkerson surrendered three runs, two earned, on seven hits, while striking out seven.

Scott retired seven of the eight batters he faced in relief.

Norfolk starter Joe Gunkel (2-3) did not allow an earned run after the first inning. Pawtucket did not scratch the scoreboard again until the seventh.

Mike Miller doubled, reached third base and scored on Jose Vinicio’s bunt up the first base line. Miller slid in ahead of the first baseman Mancini’s throw to the plate.

Three of Vinicio’s first four career Triple-A hits over the last two nights have been bunt singles.

Trailing 3-2 with two runners on base, LaMarre and Justin Maxwell grounded out against Tides reliever Chaz Roe to end the seventh-inning threat.

The PawSox could not reach base in the final two innings. In fact, Roe and closer Oliver Drake struck out the final five Pawtucket hitters of the game.

The PawSox continue their four-game series with the Tides tomorrow evening at 7:05 p.m. Pawtucket righthander Sean O’Sullivan (2-2, 3.16) is scheduled to face off with Norfolk lefty Nick Addition (1-4, 3.30). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox radio network begins at 6:35 p.m.

Pawtucket returns to McCoy stadium on Monday for a seven-game homestand against Toledo and Louisville.