Haley Takes No-Hitter Into Seventh Inning, PawSox Shut Out Bisons Sunday

Pawtucket Red Sox Press Release

(Pawtucket, RI) – Pawtucket Red Sox starter Justin Haley surrendered only two infield singles in his eight shutout innings, dominating the Buffalo Bisons for a 1-0 victory in the penultimate game of the season on Sunday evening in front of 10,010 fans at McCoy Stadium.

Haley (8-6) did not allow a hit until the seventh inning, the fourth time the PawSox (73-68) brought a no-hit bid into the seventh inning this season.

Quentin Berry grounded a comebacker that deflected off Haley’s glove for an infield hit to lead off the seventh inning. The play was eerily similar to the manner in which Boston Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez lost a no-hitter in the seventh inning about an hour earlier in Oakland.

Haley allowed an infield single to the right of the shortstop in the eighth inning for his only other hit surrendered.

“I was just trying to have a good rhythm throughout the game and I think we kept a good tempo,” said Haley. “We kept the hitters on their heels, pitched inside a lot and kept them in swing-mode.”

In total, Haley combined with reliever Luis Ysla for a three-hit shutout, extending Pawtucket’s franchise record to 17 shutouts on the season.

“It’s a credit to our pitching staff and the way our defense plays,” said manager Kevin Boles.

Haley struck out seven and walked one in his 100-pitch outing. He retired 13 straight batters at one point.

“He was terrific,” said Boles. “He showed command with his fastball and he had some swing and miss to it.”

Haley’s final three wins of the season came against the Bisons (66-77). In those three starts that dated to August 7, he has tossed 23.0 scoreless innings and allowed nine hits.

“It was an exciting outing and it was nice have a good last outing here in Pawtucket,” said Haley.

Ysla struck out the first two batters he faced in his Triple-A debut. He pitched around Domonic Brown’s single to center for the save.

“The way [Ysla] went after hitters, there was no fear,” said Boles. “I thought he attacked the hitters and did a great job.”

The only run of the game came about in unconventional fashion in the first inning.

Buffalo starter Scott Copeland (3-6) struck out the first batter he faced, Rusney Castillo, but Copeland’s third strike eluded the catcher Erik Kratz. Thus, Castillo safely reached first base on the play.

Jose Vinico then reached first base on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a ground out.

Copeland tried to pick Vinicio off second base, but his throw sailed into center field and Vinicio raced all the way home to score.

Three Bisons pitchers combined to allow no earned runs, four hits and no walks.

The PawSox have been held to 16 hits through the first four games of the homestand. Meanwhile, Pawtucket pitchers have struck out 40 batters in that time.

The PawSox are 2-2 on their final homestand, which has featured a total of eight runs over the four games.

At two hours and two minutes, the game was also Pawtucket’s fastest nine-inning contest of the season.

The PawSox conclude their season tomorrow night against the Bisons at 1:05 p.m. Pawtucket lefthander Henry Owens (9-7, 3.64) is scheduled to make the start against Buffalo lefthander Scott Diamond (9-14, 4.42). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox radio network begins at 12:35 p.m.

The Labor Day finale will feature an End of Season Celebration after the game. Good seats for tomorrow’s finale are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office; call (401) 724-7300 or visit pawsox.com to get your tickets today.