Big 5th Vaults PawSox to Victory

Pawtucket, RI - After being shutout for 13 consecutive innings to start the season, Pawtucket exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning as the PawSox came from behind to defeat the Leigh Valley Iron Pigs, 9-4, Friday night in a rain-shortened game in front of 2,652 soggy fans at McCoy Stadium. 

Pawtucket (1-1) earned its first victory of the season in a game that was called after 7 ½ innings due to a steady rainfall. The Sox sent 12 men to the plate in the fifth-inning outburst, plating eight runs on five hits and four walks.

With the Iron Pigs leading 4-0, Christian Vazquez began the home half of the fifth against starter Barry Enright with a bloop double to right. After a Corey Brown walk, Mike McCoy grounded a two-run double to left to snap Pawtucket's scoreless drought and make the score 4-2.

After Brock Holt singled to put runners on the corners and chase Enright, new pitcher Kyle Simon (0-1) threw a wild pitch that scored McCoy with the third PawSox run. Simon walked the first three batters he faced including Bryce Brentz with the bases loaded to bring home Holt with the tying run.

One out later, Garin Cecchini lined a two-run double to right center giving the PawSox their first lead of the season at 6-4. Cecchini picked up his first International League RBIs on the play. The next batter Vazquez concluded the rally with a two-run single that chased Simon, giving the catcher his second hit of the inning.

Craig Breslow (1-0), working for a second straight night on a Major League injury rehab assignment, pitched a scoreless fifth inning in relief of starter Anthony Ranaudo and earned the win. Rich Hill did not allow a run in his two innings of relief, while Alex Wilson finished the win before the rain delay with a scoreless eighth.

Lehigh Valley scored four runs (only one earned) in the third against Ranaudo to take an early lead. Cameron Rupp's three-run home run with two out, his second long ball in as many nights, capped the rally for the Iron Pigs. Ranaudo lasted four innings and struck out seven while walking four.

Game three of the four-game series is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 1:05 pm. Left-hander Rubby De La Rosa (NR) is expected to start for the PawSox while the Iron Pigs counter with righty Sean O'Sullivan (NR). 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 12:50 pm.