PawSox Win Streak Snapped in Loss to Buffalo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 17, 2013
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - The PawSox saw their six-game winning streak come to a close after a 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Bisons in front of 8,430 fans at McCoy Stadium Saturday night.
Both teams stayed out of the score column in the 1st inning despite each having scoring chances.
Buffalo would strike first in the 2nd inning as PawSox starter Steven Wright walked the lead-off man. After a single, newcomer Brad Glenn singled to right plating the game's first run. It was the first run allowed by Wright at McCoy Stadium since June 26th against Toledo (20.2 innings).
The PawSox responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the 2nd as Drew Sutton singled and moved to third on a one-out single by Tony Thomas. After a hit batter, Heiker Meneses delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the game 1-1.
The Bisons loaded the bases in the 3rd with two outs, but Wright was able to escape trouble. He could not escape the 4th unscathed, however. Glenn led off with a double and scored on an RBI double by Jim Negrych. With one out, Mike McCoy reached on a strikeout/wild pitch putting runners on the corners. After a pop up, Moises Sierra blasted a three-run homer, his 11th, to right center to put Buffalo in front 5-1.
Wright would finish his outing after throwing a scoreless 5th inning, but allowed five runs, all earned, on eight hits with four walks and two strikeouts. He threw 85 pitches, 51 for strikes.
Chris Carpenter provided Pawtucket with two scoreless frames out of the bullpen. He has not allowed a run since July 21st, nine consecutive appearances. Ryan Rowland-Smith followed that with a flawless 8th.
Jose De La Torre would allow a pair of runs in the 9th on an RBI groundout by Glenn and an RBI single by Jim Negrych to put Buffalo in front 7-1.
Bisons starter Ricky Romero would end up throwing seven innings allowing just a run on six hits while walking one and striking out five.
Pawtucket did get a run across in the 9th on an error to make the score the eventual final of 7-2.
The PawSox will continue a crucial four-game series with the Buffalo Bisons Sunday afternoon at 1:05pm. Pawtucket currently leads Buffalo in the Wild Card standings by 0.5 games with only 16 games remaining on the schedule. Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger (3-3, 5.29) will start for the PawSox against lefty Sean Nolin in his Triple-A Debut for the Bisons. The two teams have split the first 12 games they've played, with Pawtucket going 3-1 at McCoy Stadium.
Immediately after the conclusion of Sunday afternoon's game with Buffalo, the PawSox invite all fans to join us for our 16th Annual PawSox Fan Appreciation Fan Festival at McCoy Stadium. The FanFest will feature PawSox Player Autograph Booths, a chance to meet PAWS & SOX, free samples & coupons, music, games for kids, and other surprise treats. The FanFest is available to all fans free of charge - after the game on Sunday at McCoy.
NOTES: Steven Wright had his scoreless streak at McCoy Stadium snapped at 20.2 innings…The last time the North Division Champion can from the state of New York was 2005 (Buffalo)… The PawSox - presently in 2nd-place - have either held 1st or 2nd-place in the division all year except for being in 3rd-place on May 5 and again from August 8-12. The Sox held the lead alone atop the IL North from May 24 - July 26 before being tied with Rochester on July 27… Pawtucket is 2nd in the league in Team Fielding Pct. at .982 (83 errors in 4610 total chances) as the Sox have made just 1 error in their last 5 games.