PawSox Shut Down in Series Finale Against the Indians, Castillo Hurt

Rusney Castillo suffered a sprained foot sliding into second base in the third inning.  After some time on the ground, he walked off under his own power.

PawSox news release…

(Pawtucket, RI) – Indianapolis starter Clayton Richard combined with two relievers on a eight-hitter while the Indians peppered Pawtucket pitching for 11 total hits in a 6-0 shutout victory over the PawSox to salvage the finale of the three-game series on Wednesday afternoon in front of 4,676 fans at McCoy Stadium.

Richard (1-0), making his season debut with Indianapolis, maneuvered around seven four hits and two walks in five scoreless inning pitched, twice escaping bases-loading jams.  The Indians (19-15) scored three runs in the first three innings against PawSox starter Eddie Rodriguez (3-2) and never looked back in a game that featured a remarkable seven double plays.

Pawtucket managed 12 total baserunners but hit into four double plays, all of which ended an inning.  Chris Volstad relieved Richard in the sixth and tossed three scoreless frames, while closer Blake Wood worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to finish the shutout.

Rodriguez allowed a two-out run in the second on a single by Tony Sanchez followed by an RBI triple from Gorkys Hernandez.  Then, with two runners on and two outs in the third, Deibinson Romero hit a groundball into the hole at shortstop.

Deven Marrero fielded it on the run, but his throw to first base bounced away from first-baseman Luke Montz and allowed each runner to score.  It was scored an RBI single and an error on Marrero that put Indianapolis ahead 3-0.  Rodriguez was charged with three runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings.

Zeke Spruill relieved Rodriguez and allowed a run in the eighth on Gustavo Nunez’s RBI single.  Spruill then permitted two more runs in the ninth capped off by Mel Rojas, Jr.’s RBI single.

Alen Hanson (2-for-5, double, triple), Romero (2-for-3, BB) and Andy Vazquez (2-for-4) each had a pair of Indianapolis’ 11 hits.  Deven Marrero went 2-for-4 to pace the Pawtucket attack.

The PawSox next welcome Columbus for a four-game weekend series.  Game one of the set is scheduled for Thursday night with first pitch at 7:05pm.  Right-hander Brian Johnson (3-2, 3.03) is expected to start for the PawSox while the Clippers counter with righty Jhoulys Chacin (NR).