PawSox Push Win Streak to 6-Games by Beating the Tides in Norfolk

PawSox news release…

NORFOLK, Virginia — The Pawtucket Red Sox shook off a sluggish start and capitalized on a three-run sixth inning to overtake the Norfolk Tides, 3-1, and extend their winning streak to six games Tuesday night at Harbor Park.

After netting just one hit through the first five innings, the PawSox (22-24) sent eight to the plate in the sixth and claimed the opener of the three-game set with the Tides (21-30).

PawSox right-hander Marcus Walden (W, 3-2), in his first start since May 11, spun five innings of one-run ball, ceding just four hits and no walks to go along with three strikeouts. Walden, whose first six appearances of the season were all starts before moving back to the bullpen, lowered his ERA to 2.25 (1.95 as a starter).

Pawtucket reliever Kyle Martin followed with 2.1 scoreless innings but left when he was struck in the left arm with a line drive in the eighth inning. Fellow righty Jamie Callahan entered with two runners aboard, got a strikeout and a groundout to preserve the two-run lead and then secured his first career Triple-A save with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Pawtucket first baseman Steve Selsky continued his recent run of power and production with a 2-for-4 performance out of the No. 3 spot in the order.

Norfolk starter Jayson Aquino (L, 1-4), who allowed three runs in six innings, cruised until his sixth and final frame. After allowing a two-out single to Selsky in the first inning, Aquino didn’t yield another hit until second baseman Heiker Meneses (2-for-4) led off the sixth with a sharp single to center to start Pawtucket’s uprising.

Norfolk struck first in the bottom of the third when, with runners at second and third, No. 3 hitter Chris Dickerson rolled an RBI single up the middle to plate center fielder Logan Schafer and make it 1-0.

After Meneses started the top of the sixth with his single, he moved to third on a double from center fielder Rusney Castillo. Meneses then scored to tie the game, 1-1, on an RBI groundout from shortstop Ryan Court. Selsky then smacked a loud RBI single off the top of the left-field wall to reel in Castillo and push Pawtucket ahead, 2-1. Three batters later, catcher Blake Swihart blooped an RBI single into shallow right-center to score Selsky and make it 3-1.

PawSox pitchers only allowed two hits after the third inning.

The PawSox continue their three-game series against Norfolk on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. at Harbor Park. PawSox right-hander Kyle Kendrick (1-3, 6.81) is scheduled to start opposite Tides righty Gabriel Ynoa (1-4, 6.00).