Jackie Bradley, Jr. Does It All as PawSox Walk-off With Win in the 12th
PawSox news release…
(Pawtucket, RI) – Jackie Bradley’s twelfth-inning double sent the Pawtucket Red Sox to a 3-2 win over the Toledo Mud Hens on Friday night in front of 5,445 at McCoy Stadium. Bradley – who doubled twice, walked twice, was hit by a pitch and executed a sacrifice bunt – scored Deven Marrero, who had walked to open the inning.
With the win, the PawSox got back to .500 for the first time since June 7th and ensured at least a split of the four-game series.
For much of the night, the clubs engaged in a tense pitchers’ duel; Keith Couch was sharp for five innings until he surrendered the Hens’ only two runs in the sixth, and Toledo starter Thad Weber hurled seven shutout innings.
Xavier Avery led off the sixth with a double to left field; Daniel Fields then walked. After Dixon Machado sacrificed them both over, Mike Hessman popped out to short. But Jeffry Marte ripped a two-run, two-out single to centerfield that put Toledo in front, 2-0.
The PawSox (31-31) would not score until after they chased Weber, who struck out five and allowed only three hits over his seven scoreless frames. Bruce Rondon continued his rehabilitation and came on for the eighth; Matt Spring hit a high pop-fly that sliced back fair inside the line for a leadoff hit. Sean Coyle then doubled to left-center to make it 2-1.
Bradley, Jr. was then asked to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Rondon fielded it but threw wildly to third, allowing Coyle to score and tie the game, 2-2.
A trio of PawSox relievers kept the game tied; Edwin Escobar tossed two scoreless innings in a rehab appearance, Dalier Hinojosa tied a season high with three shutout frames, and Noe Ramirez (2-0) earned the win by keeping the Mud Hens off the board in the top of the 12th.
In the bottom of the twelfth, Marrero drew a leadoff walk and Matt Spring drew a free pass with one out before Bradley’s two-out heroics.
The PawSox will go for a four-game winning streak as they play the third of the four-game series on Saturday night at 6:05pm. Left-hander Brian Johnson (6-4, 2.66) is expected to start for Pawtucket against Toledo righty Derek Hankins (1-1, 6.55).
