Bisons Shock PawSox with 5-3 Win
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 3, 2013
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Pawtucket had a win snatched away from them in the 9th inning as the Buffalo Bisons scored three runs with two outs to beat the PawSox by a final score of 5-3 in front of 10,127 fans at Coca-Cola Field Saturday night.
Entering a crucial series with division rival Buffalo on the road, Pawtucket got news early in the day that scheduled starter Rubby De La Rosa was recalled by Boston; thus, pushing knuckleballer Charlie Haeger into duty on just three day's rest.
Buffalo would be the first to strike and they would do it in the first inning against Haeger. After a one out walk allowed Mike McCoy to reach, former PawSox Mauro Gomez doubled him home to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead.
The PawSox mounted a threat in the 2nd against Thad Weber loading the bases with two outs after a pair of singles and a walk, but stranded the bases loaded after Alberto Rosario struck out to end the frame.
In the 4th, Justin Henry and Ronald Bermudez singled with one out before Jeremy Hazelbaker doubled to right center to score two runs and give Pawtucket a 2-1 advantage.
Haeger allowed just two base runners from the second through the fifth and retired nine of 10 batters before issuing a one out walk to Jim Negrych in the 6th. Gomez followed with a single as did Clint Robinson to load the bases. Haeger's next pitch got by Rosario allowing the tying run to score on a passed ball. Haeger would retire the next two batters to get out of trouble, but the game was tied 2-2.
The knuckleballer would exit after the 6th allowing a pair of runs, one earned, on just three hits while striking out a season high seven and walking four.
In the 9th, Justin Henry reached base on an error to start the inning. Ronald Bermudez then reached on a fielder's choice. Jeremy Hazelbaker would single through the left side moving Bermudez to third. Alberto Rosario would bounce a ball to second scoring Bermudez giving the PawSox a 3-2 lead.
Franklin Morales, in his 3rd appearance on a major league rehab assignment, pitched two and a third flawless innings, even recording the first out of the 9th. Jose Contreras was summoned out of the bullpen and struck out the first batter he faced. He would walk Kevin Pillar before allowing an RBI double to Ricardo Nanita to tie the game. Contreras jumped ahead in the count of the ninth place hitter Mike Nickeas, but hung a splitter and Nickeas hit it out of the ballpark (#1) to win the game for Buffalo, 5-3 over Pawtucket.
The PawSox will continue their nine-game, nine day road trip to Buffalo and Syracuse Sunday evening at 6:05pm against the Bisons. Pawtucket will send righty Anthony Ranaudo in his Triple-A Debut to the hill against Justin Germano (7-7, 4.95) of Buffalo.
Pawtucket will return to McCoy Stadium Tuesday, August 13th for an eight-game homestand against Louisville and Buffalo.