With the help of two home runs, the Pawtucket Red Sox took the first of a three-game series Wednesday night in Rochester against the Red Wings.

Following Pedro Ciriaco's first inning leadoff single, Jason Repko smashed his third home run of the season to left field to give the PawSox an early 2-0 advantage, three pitches in to the ballgame. The PawSox added to their lead in the second inning thanks to the first career Triple-A home run from second baseman Jon Hee. Following back-to-back singles to start the inning, Hee blasted a no-doubter over the bullen in left field to make it 5-1 Pawtucket.

After a Lars Anderson RBI single, the PawSox chased Red Wings' starter Luke French out of the ballgame after just 1 1/3 innings of work.

PawSox starter Doug Mathis worked five innings and allowed four runs, including a two-run homer by Rochester designated hitter Matt Carson in the bottom of the fourth. Carson's blast, his seventh, narrowed the Pawtucket lead, 6-4. For Mathis, Wednesday night snapped a streak of six consecutive quality starts.

In the top of the ninth, Alex Hassan extended the PawSox lead with a two out single to make it 7-4 Pawtucket.

Right-hander Junichi Tazawa earned his third save of the season by tossing the eighth and ninth innings scoreless, striking out four, and sealing the PawSox 7-4 win over the Red Wings.

The series continues Thursday night from Frontier Field where Tony Pena Jr. (0-6, 6.23) will be opposed by Jeff Manship (4-1, 2.79 ERA). Televised on NESN, first pitch is scheduled for 6:05.