PawSox Split Series with Bisons after 4-3 Win

Pawtucket, RI - Pawtucket scored the tying and winning runs on a crazy wild pitch in the sixth inning and three relievers held the lead with four scoreless innings as the PawSox defeated the Buffalo Bisons, 4-3, Monday night in front of 4,124 fans at McCoy Stadium to earn a split in the four-game series. 

Shane Victorino (1-for-4) and Will Middlebrooks (0-for-3, 2 strikeouts) each played a portion of the contest for Pawtucket as part of a MLB injury rehab assignment. The PawSox (11-8) jumped over the Bisons (9-7) back into first place in the International League North with the win.

Brandon Workman made his second start of the season for Pawtucket and struck out eight batters in five innings of work. He allowed three runs (all earned) on four hits and did not walk a batter.

With Pawtucket trailing 3-2 in the sixth, Buffalo starter Marcus Stroman (1-2) allowed one-out singles to Bryce Brentz and Garin Cecchini and was pulled from the game in favor of reliever Rob Rasmussen, who quickly uncorked a wild pitch to put runners on second and third.

With Christian Vazquez at-bat on a 3-2 count, Rasmussen delivered ball four which skipped past the catcher Erik Kratz and reached the backstop. Brentz scampered home from third base, and Kratz's throw towards the plate evaded Rasmussen's reach as he tried to cover. Cecchini scored the winning run on the play, which was ruled a throwing error charged to Kratz.

Tommy Layne (3-1) earned a victory for his third consecutive appearance by tossing scoreless relief in the sixth and seventh. Chris Hernandez, moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen earlier in the day, recorded two outs in the eighth including one at home plate. 

Dan Johnson singled to center with runners at first and second, but the PawSox executed a perfect relay from the centerfielder Mike McCoy to first baseman Ryan Lavarnway, who threw out Steve Tolleson at home to preserve the 4-3 lead. Alex Wilson then entered and retired the final four Buffalo hitters to record his first save of the season.

Tolleson (solo in the first) and Johnson (two-run in the fourth) each homered against Workman to give the Bisons an early 3-1 lead. Cecchini's RBI single in the second and Justin Henry's run-scoring single in the fifth plated the PawSox' first two runs.

Henry went 3-for-4 with a double to pace Pawtucket's 11-hit attack. Stroman allowed four runs (three earned) in 5.1 innings for Buffalo with five strikeouts and no walks.

The Rochester Red Wings next come to McCoy Stadium for a four-game series from Tuesday through Friday. Tuesday's opener is scheduled for a 6:15 pm first pitch, with PawSox right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (1-0, 1.08) starting against lefty Logan Darnell (0-0, 0.90). 

Limited tickets are available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com. Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 6:00 pm.