PawSox Drop Second Straight Game At Gwinnett, 5-2

Pawtucket Red Sox Press Release

LAWRENCEVILLE, Georgia — The Gwinnett Braves jumped out to an early lead, added late insurance and downed the Pawtucket Red Sox, 5-2, on Saturday night at Coolray Field in the middle meeting of the three-game set.

The Braves (11-5) scored two in the first and, after the PawSox (7-9) cut within a run in the top of the seventh, tacked on two more in the bottom of the seventh to secure the series win ahead of Sunday’s finale. The PawSox have now lost six of their last seven games.

Pawtucket reliever Marcus Walden (L, 0-2) made his third spot start in as many weeks this season. The righty allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks in four innings. Lefty Edgar Olmos followed with two hitless innings filled with four strikeouts. Right-hander Chandler Shepherd surrendered a pair of runs on two hits and two walks in the seventh.

PawSox designated hitter Sam Travis (2-for-4, R) snapped an 0-for-12 skid and recorded his third multi-hit game of the season, while center fielder Junior Lake (1-for-4, R) extended his team-best hitting streak to seven games.

Gwinnett starter Enderson Franco, who was promoted from Low-A Rome earlier Saturday, allowed just one run on three hits in four innings. Former first-round pick Jason Hursh (W, 2-0) gave up one run in 2.1 innings of work out of the bullpen, and former Cardinals closer Jason Motte collected his second save by striking out the side in the ninth.

Gwinnett wasted little time climbing out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Designated hitter Ryan Howard, the longtime Phillies great who joined Gwinnett earlier Saturday, started the scoring with an RBI single to center. First baseman Matt Tuiasosopo’s RBI groundout then scored left fielder Mel Rojas Jr.

Two innings later, Tuiasosopo plated Rojas again with an RBI single to left, stretching Gwinnett’s lead to 3-0.

The PawSox cracked the score column in the fourth. After Travis singled to center, right fielder Bryce Brentz hit a ground-rule double to center to score Travis and trim the deficit to 3-1.

Pawtucket threatened again in the seventh, as Lake led off with a double. Two batters later, second baseman Jantzen Witte singled to left to score Lake and pull the PawSox within one, 3-2.

The Braves, however, built some breathing room in the bottom of the seventh. Tuiasosopo doubled to right and reeled in second baseman Ozzie Albies and shortstop Johan Camargo, restoring the three-run lead, 5-2.

The PawSox conclude their six-game road trip Sunday at 1:05 p.m. against Gwinnett at Coolray Field. Pawtucket right-hander Shawn Haviland (2-1, 3.38) is scheduled to oppose Braves lefty Sean Newcomb (1-1, 5.65). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the PawSox Pre-Game Show at 12:35 p.m.

The PawSox return home to McCoy Stadium April 25-30 (Tuesday-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.