Five-Run Fifth Paces PawSox To Series Split

(Pawtucket, RI) - Pawtucket batted around and scored five times in the third and Matt Barnes tossed five solid innings in his season debut as the PawSox topped the Rochester Red Wings, 6-2, Friday night in front of 7,680 fans at McCoy Stadium to earn a split in the four-game series. 

Barnes (1-0) allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out two. Daniel Nava, playing in his first game since being optioned from the Boston Red Sox, reached base three times on two walks and a single.

The PawSox (13-10) alternated losses and wins for the entire eight-game homestand and finished with a 4-4 record. Corey Brown's solo home run against Rochester starter Trevor May (1-1) on the first pitch of the third opened the big rally for Pawtucket.

Christian Vazquez's RBI double followed Justin Henry's one-out walk, and May then issued back-to-back free passes to Nava and Ryan Lavarnway to load the bases. Bryce Brentz slugged a two-run double to center that made the score 4-1, and Garin Cecchini's deep sacrifice fly plated the fifth run of the inning.

After a Rochester run in the top of the fifth made the score 5-2, the PawSox added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame on Lavarnway's RBI single. Tommy Layne (sixth and seventh innings) and Drake Britton (eighth and ninth innings) combined for four scoreless innings in relief to finish the victory. 

Vazquez doubled twice and went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Cecchini walked three times and drove home a run with his sac fly. Chris Parmelee's RBI single against Barnes opened the scoring in the top of the third while Doug Bernier lifted a sac fly to drive home the second Red Wings run.

The PawSox next head on the road for a four-game series at Lehigh Valley, beginning Saturday night at Coca-Cola Park with first pitch at 6:35 pm. Pawtucket right-hander Brandon Workman (0-0, 6.48) is scheduled to start against Iron Pigs righty David Buchanan (2-0, 2.74). Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 6:20 pm.

Following the quick trip to Lehigh Valley, the PawSox return to McCoy Stadium for eight straight beginning Thursday, May 1 against Indianapolis at 7:05 pm. Limited tickets are available for all upcoming games at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.