PawSox Launch Three Homers Before Falling Short at Charlotte

PawSox news release…

(Charlotte, NC) – The Charlotte Knights strung together a couple of rallies to overcome three titanic Pawtucket Red Sox blasts, salvaging the finale of the three-game series, 8-6, on Wednesday night at BB&T Ballpark.

Henry Ramos and Chris Marrero each went deep for the third time in four games, while Chris Dominguez hammered a game-tying, three-run home run in the seventh inning.

Pawtucket (45-42) drilled 38 hits, including 16 extra-base knocks and seven homers, in the three-game series.

Marrero, who will return to BB&T Ballpark next week for both the Triple-A Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game, went 9-for-14 in the series with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and six runs scored.

However, the PawSox jumped on the scoreboard in the opening frame with something far from extra-base power.

Jose Vinicio created his own run. He led off the game with a single, stole second base, advanced to third on a groundball and scored on a strikeout. Strike three to Ramos was in the dirt, so when catcher Vinny Rottino threw to first base to complete the putout, Vinicio took off for home and scored.

The Knights (40-48) answered back with a three-spot against Pawtucket starter Henry Owens in the second inning. Owens issued two walks and three wild pitches in the frame.

After the walks, Marcus Lemon lined a ball into right center field that Ramos arrived to late due to the sun. The two-run double put Charlotte on top, 2-1.

Two wild pitches brought Lemon home from second base to extend the lead to 3-1.

The PawSox answered back with a run in the fourth inning when Marrero clobbered his 15th home run of the season over the left field wall.

The Knights used a walk, a sacrifice bunt and Jason Bourgeois’ RBI single to retake their two-run advantage in the fifth.

Slade Heathcott’s first home run with Charlotte in the following frame gave his club a 5-2 lead.

Owens allowed five runs for the third straight start, striking out six and walking four.

Pawtucket erased the three-run deficit on Dominguez’s big swing (5) with one out in the seventh inning off of Knights reliever Matt Lollis. Dominguez hit the ball over the “dragon” just to the left of dead center field.

However, Charlotte answered right back with another three-spot in the bottom half of the frame against reliever Wesley Wright (0-2).

After a single and a walk, Bourgeois struck an RBI double over Chris Marrero and off the wall in left field. The next batter, Justin Morneau, hit a groundball to Deven Marrero who was shifted to the first-base side of second base. Marrero booted the ball, allowing another run to score. Jerry Sands then plated Bourgeois with an RBI single that put the Knights ahead, 8-5.

Ramos, batting left-handed, led off the eighth inning by depositing a ball over the right field fence (5) and all the way out of BB&T Ballpark.

Ramos has all five of his Triple-A home runs and 21 RBI in his last 14 games started.

Charlotte closer Tommy Kahnle struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn the save.

The PawSox will stay in North Carolina to open a four-game series with the Durham Bulls tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Pawtucket righthander Aaron Wilkerson (4-2, 2.44) is scheduled make the start against Durham righty Eddie Gamboa (3-2, 2.84).  Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox radio network begins at 6:35 p.m.

The PawSox return home on Thursday, July 14 to open the second half of the season with a four-game series against the Knights.