Buckner stymies Bats in 8-1 PawSox win
Buckner, who shares no relation with former Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Bucker, gave up one unearned run on four hits and a walk to register his second straight quality start and third overall for the PawSox.
The loss puts Louisville (38-66) at 28 games under .500 for the first time since the 1991 season when they finished a franchise worst 51-92. Pawtucket (58-46) took three of four from the Bats this series after Louisville swept the club from June 22-25.
The only blemish off Buckner came in the first, as Didi Gregorius led off the game with a single and moved to third on a throwing error by first baseman Mauro Gomez. Gregorius later scored when Denis Phipps grounded into a double play.
After a single by Mike Costanzo to lead off the second, Buckner retired the next 13 Bats hitters before Gregorius snapped the streak with his second single in the sixth. The win improves Buckner's record to 2-5 since being called up by Pawtucket on May 30 from Double-A Portland. He was the first PawSox pitcher to go seven innings since Justin Germano on June 30.
Buckner got all the offense he needed in the third. Andy LaRoche hit a two-out bases loaded single to cross Scott Podsednik and Jose Iglesias, and Alex Hassan brought in Gomez with another single to give the Red Sox a 3-1 lead.
Entering having won his last two starts, Sean Gallagher struggled with command and took his seventh loss of the season. He allowed five runs on seven hits with three walks and two wild pitches while striking out five.
Lars Anderson got things rolling in the fifth, smacking a triple off the wall in center that brought in Iglesias, then scored after a wild pitch by Gallagher as Pawtucket extending their lead to 5-1 in the fifth.
LaRoche and Hassan each had three hits on the night, while Iglesias and Gomez added a pair of runs apiece to lead the Red Sox offense. Gregorius was the only Louisville player with multiple hits.
Louisville did not fare much better off the bullpen then they did against Buckner, as Daniel Bard and Chris Carpenter shutout the Bats over the final two frames, allowing just one walk combined.
With the game mostly in hand, the PawSox added three more runs in the ninth for an 8-1 lead. A double by LaRoche scored Gomez, and Mike Rivera brought LaRoche in with a double of his own. Podsednik knocked in the final run of the inning with a single to center that crossed Hassan.
The Bats will start a four-game series with the Buffalo Bisons Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Louisville Slugger Field. Chad Reineke (3-7, 4.90) is scheduled to take the mound for Louisville, going up against Chris Schwinden (4-7, 3.39).