Timely hitting and Solid Pitcher Help PawSox blank Syracuse at McCoy

PawSox news release…

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Powered by Shawn Haviland, three Pawtucket Red Sox pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout in a 6-0 win over the Syracuse Chiefs on a warm Wednesday afternoon at McCoy Stadium.

Backed by another bout of early offense, the PawSox (4-3) earned at least a split in the four-game set with the Chiefs (1-5).

Haviland (2-0), a Harvard graduate, fired six shutout innings with four strikeouts for his second win in as many outings.

“Haviland did a great job,” PawSox manager Kevin Boles said. “I thought he pitched inside for effect. I thought he moved them off the plate. They were comfortable the first game of the series. But he got them off the plate, used his cutter, threw a pretty good breaking ball today. Overall, a job well done. He did a great job.”

Left-handed reliever Robbie Ross Jr., a mainstay in Boston’s bullpen the last two seasons, turned in an economical rehab appearance, using only nine pitches in a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Ross was placed on the 10-day disabled list April 6 (retroactive to April 3) with influenza.

“He looked good, said he felt great, so good to see him back out there,” Boles said.

Pawtucket center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-4, HR, 2 R, RBI), second baseman Ryan Court (3-for-4, 2 R, RBI), right fielder Bryce Brentz (3-for-4, R) and catcher Dan Butler (2-for-4, 2 RBI) all logged multi-hit days. Court had a single, double and triple by the fifth inning and fell a home run shy of the cycle.

In a spot start, Chiefs reliever Matt Grace (0-2) allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits over three innings and took the loss. Right-hander Trevor Gott was roughed up for three runs (all earned) on six hits in 1.2 stanzas.

For the sixth time in seven games, the PawSox scored first. As he did in Monday’s series opener, Castillo led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run. Three batters later, designated hitter Allen Craig reeled in Court with an RBI groundout to the right side to make it 2-0.

In the third, Castillo led off with a sharp single the opposite way and stole second. Court then slapped an RBI double down the right-field line to extend Pawtucket’s lead to 3-0.

The PawSox greeted Gott with a bevy of hard-hit balls in the fourth inning. After Brentz singled, shortstop Deven Marrero clubbed a double (his first hit of the season). Butler then supplied a two-run double to right-center field to stretch the lead to 5-0.

Court kicked off the fifth inning with a triple to left-center field and came in to score on a sacrifice fly from third baseman Matt Dominguez.

PawSox right-hander Kyle Martin fanned four over two scoreless innings to secure the victory.

The teams conclude the four-game series Thursday at McCoy Stadium. First pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m. The PawSox send left-hander Brian Johnson (0-0, 2.25 ERA) to the mound, while the Chiefs counter with righty Joe Ross (0-1, 10.12). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the PawSox Pre-Game Show at 11:35 a.m.