PawSox Lose on Walk-Off-Inside-the-Park Home Run at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

PawSox news release…

(Moosic, PA) – Scranton/Wilkes-Barre centerfielder Ben Gamel led off the ninth with a sinking line drive that bounced past Pawtucket right-fielder Jonathan Roof, a ball that turned into a walk-off inside-the-park home run that pushed the RailRiders past the PawSox, 2-1, on Monday night at PNC Field in the opener of a four-game series. 

Roof slid on his knees in an attempt to catch Gamel’s liner, but the ball hit the grass instead and rolled directly past Roof, who then appeared to slip in his effort to get back up to his feet.  The baseball went all the way to the warning track in right-center, and Pawtucket’s centerfielder Jemile Weeks finally picked it up.

Gamel was waived around third base, and the relay throw from second-baseman Jeff Bianchi to home plate was a tad late.  For Gamel, the International League leader in triples with 14, it was his eighth home run of the season.  It came against Heath Hembree (0-4) and handed the PawSox (44-72) an eighth-consecutive loss.

Scranton starter Kyle Davies tossed seven terrific innings and combined with reliever Caleb Cotham (2-0) on a four-hitter as the RailRiders (65-52) defeated Pawtucket for a tenth time in the last 11 meetings between the squads.  Davies allowed just three hits and one walk while collecting a season-high eight strikeouts.

The PawSox scored their lone run of the contest, an unearned tally, in the top of the sixth courtesy of a throwing error by the pitcher Davies.  Roof led off with a double to right center, and the next batter Bianchi dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt.  On the play Davies threw low to first base and the ball bounced into right field, allowing Roof to score.

Matt Barnes made the start for Pawtucket and allowed one run on six hits and three walks in 4.2 innings pitched.  Cole Figueroa’s sacrifice fly in the second provided the RailRiders their only score against Barnes, who struck out five batters on the night.

Dayan Diaz relieved Barnes and tossed 2.2 scoreless innings while scattering two hits and two walks and punched out four batters.  Cotham worked two scoreless innings to earn the win, striking out Allen Craig with Garin Cecchini at second base to end the top of the ninth.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Tuesday night with first pitch at 7:05pm.  Right-hander William Cuevas (0-1, 2.57) will get the start for Pawtucket while Scranton counters with righty Kyle Haynes (0-1, 11.42).