Four-Run Seventh Lifts PawSox Past Iron Pigs

(Allentown, PA) - Pawtucket batted around and scored four times in the seventh inning to take the lead for good in a back-and-forth game as the PawSox defeated the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, 7-5, Saturday night in the opener of a four-game series at Coca-Cola Park. 

With Pawtucket (14-10) trailing 4-3 after six innings, the first four batters in the seventh recorded singles against Iron Pigs reliever Cesar Jimenez (1-1), with Brock Holt's RBI hit tying the score. Two batters later Daniel Nava lofted a sacrifice fly to plate the go-ahead run and chase Jimenez from the game after recording only one out.

Phillippe Aumont entered for Lehigh Valley and promptly walked Ryan Lavarnway to load the bases, and Bryce Brentz followed by delivering a two-run single to right to score Holt and Ryan Roberts and make the score 7-4.

Brandon Workman (1-0) started for Pawtucket and allowed four runs, all of which scored in the first three innings (two in the first, one in the second and third). Workman settled down and made it through six full innings, issuing nine hits and two walks but stranding seven on base and earning his first victory of the season.

Rich Hill tossed two perfect innings of relief in the seventh and eighth, and Alex Wilson allowed a run in the ninth but earned his second save of the season. Wilson struck out Reid Brignac and induced a shallow fly out from Koyie Hill with runners on the corners to end the game.

Pawtucket scored three times against Lehigh Valley starter Jonathan Pettibone in the second inning to erase an early 2-0 deficit. Corey Brown's two-run single keyed the rally, while a throwing error on Hill, the Iron Pigs catcher, plated the go-ahead run.

Workman then allowed a game-tying RBI single to Clete Thomas in the bottom of the second and a sacrifice fly to Jim Murphy in the third that put the Iron Pigs in front 4-3. Lehigh Valley would collect only three hits after the third inning.

Game two of the series is slated for a 1:35 pm first pitch on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (1-0, 1.19) will get the ball for manager Kevin Boles, while righty David Buchanan (2-0, 2.74) is expected to start for the Iron Pigs. Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 1:20 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.