PawSox Open Weekend Series at Rochester with a Win
PawSox news release…
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Marcus Walden fired six innings of one-hit ball to continue Pawtucket’s pitching prowess and lift the PawSox to a 7-2 win over the Rochester Red Wings on Friday night at Frontier Field.
After Thursday’s rainout, the PawSox (13-12) picked up right where they left off in Syracuse. Pawtucket utilized a trio of runs in both the third and fourth innings, only ceded four hits and coasted past Rochester (13-11) in the opener of the three-game set. The PawSox have now won four consecutive games — matching a season-best — and six of their last eight. In the last five non-doubleheader games, PawSox pitchers have combined on three two-hitters, one three-hitter and a four-hitter.
Walden (W, 1-2), who pitched out of the Rochester bullpen in 2016, fanned four in his six scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 2.01 through five starts. In the last eight games, Pawtucket starting pitchers have combined to toss 50 innings while only allowing 17 hits and four earned runs, compiling a 0.72 ERA.
PawSox center fielder Rusney Castillo (3-for-5, 2 R, RBI), left fielder Steve Selsky (2-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI) and shortstop Heiker Meneses (2-for-3, 2 R, BB) paced the offense, which pounded out 11 hits.
Rochester starter Adalberto Mejia (L, 0-1) surrendered six runs on eight hits and three walks over four innings.
The PawSox struck first in the top of the third inning. With one out, Selsky delivered a two-run double to center to plate Meneses and Castillo. Selsky then scored on a throwing error by Rochester second baseman Tommy Field to make it 3-0.
The middle of the Pawtucket order added to the lead with a wave of two-out hits in the fourth. Castillo, Selsky and first baseman Sam Travis connected on three consecutive RBI doubles to right field to stretch the margin to 6-0.
In the eighth, third baseman Matt Dominguez reached on an error, and catcher Tim Roberson recorded his first career Triple-A RBI with a run-scoring double to right field to widen the gap to 7-0.
Rochester climbed on the board in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single from third baseman Leonardo Reginatto and a sacrifice fly from left fielder J.B. Shuck, cutting the deficit to 7-2.
The PawSox continue their six-game road trip against Rochester on Saturday at 1:35 p.m. at Frontier Field. Pawtucket right-hander Shawn Haviland (2-2, 3.16) is scheduled to oppose highly-touted Red Wings righty Jose Berrios (2-0, 1.09).
