IronPigs Beat PawSox in Series Finale at McCoy Stadium

PawSox news release…

(Pawtucket, RI) – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs broke a 3-3 tie with two runs in the top of the eighth inning en route to a 5-3 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox and left town with a victory in the three-game series.

The PawSox had tied the game with three two-out runs in the seventh inning, but missed an opportunity with the bases loaded.  Sandy Leon, Deven Marrero and Marco Hernandez had plated the runs before IronPigs’ reliever Bobby LaFramboise retired Sam Travis to escape the jam.

The Pigs’ offense went to work in the next frame.  After PawSox starter Sean O’Sullivan – who struck out a season-high ten – was lifted after his first walk and a sacrifice bunt, Lehigh Valley got to Wesley Wright with a Nick Williams RBI triple and an RBI double from Andrew Knapp that made it 5-3. 

Pawtucket (10-8) was held in check for the first six innings by Lehigh Valley starter David Buchanan before they broke through in the seventh.  He and O’Sullivan engaged in a scoreless duel until the IronPigs drew first blood with an unearned run in the fifth. 

After a leadoff double by Brock Stassi, Cameron Perkins laid down a perfect bunt on the third-base line; Mike Miller threw wide to first and Stassi scored to give the IronPigs a 1-0 lead. 

Lehigh Valley tacked on two more in the sixth.  With two outs, Williams reached on an infield single.  He advanced to third on an O’Sullivan throwing error and scored on a Knapp single to left.  Knapp was plated when Brock Stassi doubled to right.

Sandy Leon and Marco Hernandez each finished the day with three hits and an RBI double.

The PawSox will play their next six games against the Syracuse Chiefs, beginning with a two-game series at McCoy Stadium.  Game one is scheduled for Monday night at 6:15 pm.  Pawtucket right-hander William Cuevas (1-1, 6.17) is scheduled to start against righty Paolo Espino (0-1, 4.09).