IronPigs Score Four Unanswered Runs In Win Over PawSox

Pawtucket Red Sox Press Release

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Despite pounding out 12 hits and concocting a pair of late-inning threats, the Pawtucket Red Sox fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 4-3, on Friday night at McCoy Stadium in front of a crowd of more than 9,000.

The PawSox (62-70) watched a 3-0 lead wither in the fifth and evaporate in the seventh, as the IronPigs (73-59) scored four unanswered tallies to grab the opener of the three-game series to wrap up Pawtucket’s final homestand of the season.

Rehabbing Red Sox reliever Ben Taylor (left intercostal strain), in his first outing since August 8, fired a crisp 1-2-3 eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts on just 14 pitches (nine strikes).

Pawtucket’s No. 3 and 4 hitters — right fielder Brian Bogusevic (3-for-5, 2 2B) and third baseman Matt Dominguez (3-for-5, 2B) — powered the 12-hit attack for the offense.

PawSox starter Justin Haley logged 5.1 innings and fanned six while allowing a pair of runs, while reliever Williams Jerez (L, 0-2) ceded a pair of unearned runs and issued five walks — including an intentional pass — in 1.2 frames.

Lehigh Valley starter Henderson Alvarez made his first start in the Phillies organization and gave up a pair of earned runs (three total) in five innings in which he scattered eight hits. Relievers Cesar Ramos (W, 5-4), Ricardo Pinto (2 IP) and Pedro Beato (S, 28) secure the series-opening victory.

The PawSox surged ahead with a three-run bottom of the second inning. With one out and one on, catcher Jake Romanski slapped an RBI single into right field and moved to third on a Lehigh Valley error. Center fielder Tzu-Wei Lin followed with an RBI infield single hit toward shortstop. A second IronPigs error allowed Pawtucket left fielder Ryan Court to score from third and stretch the advantage to 3-0.

After exhibiting few signs of life offensively, Lehigh Valley trimmed the margin to 3-2 on a two-run rocket to right from designated hitter Dylan Cozens — his 26th big fly of the season.

In the seventh, Jerez issued a leadoff walk. Then, Lehigh Valley left fielder Andrew Pullin ripped a ball toward deep right-center, where Lin nearly made a sterling running catch, but the ball deflected off the heel of his glove. From there, catcher Logan Moore lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the ball game. Following a pair of walks — including an intentional free pass — No. 3 hitter Cam Perkins coaxed a go-ahead, bases-loaded walk to push the Pigs ahead, 4-3.

Pawtucket threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Dominguez doubled off the left-field wall to start the frame and moved to third on a wild pitch. However, IronPigs reliever Ricardo Pinto got a strikeout and a pair of groundouts — including a sharp play by third baseman Scott Kingery — to escape trouble.  

The PawSox continue this three-game weekend series with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at McCoy Stadium. PawSox left-hander Brian Johnson (3-2, 2.79) is scheduled to oppose IronPigs righty Tom Eshelman (8-3, 2.52). The game will be broadcast live on myRITV, and radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with PawSox Insider at 4:45 p.m.

The seven-game homestand runs through Sunday. Good seats are available, and fans can visit the McCoy Stadium box office, which is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., and during all home games. Fans can also call (401) 724-7300 or log on to PawSox.com for tickets.