PawSox Blank Red Wings to Take First Three Games of the Series
PawSox news release…
(Pawtucket, RI) – Robby Scott’s stellar spot start led another great effort from the Pawtucket Red Sox bullpen in a 3-0 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Wednesday night at McCoy Stadium.
The PawSox (54-51) have won the first three games of the four-game series, while allowing only two runs in their last 22 innings pitched.
Pawtucket has also earned six straight victories at McCoy, matching its longest home winning streak since 2010.
Scott (4-3) made his 25th appearance and fifth start of the season, but this was his first time making starts in consecutive outings.
He tossed a professional-career-high five innings on 68 pitches, allowing only four Red Wings (60-46) to reach base (via three singles and a hit batter).
“That was great, almost perfect what he did,” said manager Kevin Boles. “He was efficient, had a good mix and really picked us up with that spot start.”
Despite delivering the longest outing of his career, Scott retired the final four batters he faced.
“It was a little bit of grind, especially that last inning since I was a little tired, as expected for not having thrown that much,” said Scott. “But overall it was a fun night.”
Scott has made three of his five starts this season against Rochester, allowing one run in 12.2 innings pitched versus the Red Wings. He has a 1.04 ERA in July.
“I attacked the strike zone early, pitched to contact and threw first-pitch strikes as much as possible,” said Scott. “That’s what we talked about going into tonight and it was executed well.”
Roman Mendez hurled three frames, surrendering only a single and a walk, while fanning three batters.
“He’s made improvements in the last two months, he’s been dominant here and we’re definitely taking notice of this,” Boles said. “He’s a power arm, he’s got more depth to his slider and it’s been great watching him.”
Mendez has now tossed 18 straight scoreless innings dating to June 30.
Heath Hembree entered the game in the ninth inning, his first appearance for the PawSox since April 16. He pitched around a single, using two strikeouts to claim his third save of the season.
The trio of pitchers allowed a combined five hits, dealing Pawtucket’s 10th shutout of the season.
The PawSox scored each of the game’s three runs in the fourth inning against Rochester starter Jose Berrios (10-5).
Rusney Castillo singled and Ryan LaMarre walked to put to men on base for Chris Marrero. Marrero lined a two-run double down the right field line and advanced to third base on the throw to the plate.
Two batters later, Jantzen Witte added another double to score Marrero and put the PawSox in front, 3-0.
Berrios allowed those three runs in six innings of work, while collecting eight strikeouts.
Entering the contest, Berrios had allowed three hits in 14 scoreless innings against Pawtucket this season.
The PawSox conclude their four-game series against the Red Wings tomorrow at 11:05 a.m.
