PawSox Hang on for 9-8 Win

Louisville, KY - Corey Brown's grand slam home run in a five-run fifth inning highlighted Pawtucket's 15-hit attack and the PawSox held off a late Louisville rally for a 9-8 win over the Bats in a Monday matinee at Louisville Slugger Field to take three out of four in the series. 

Pawtucket won its third consecutive road series and improved to 11-5 away from McCoy Stadium this season. The game featured 27 combined hits (16 for Louisville) including 14 that went for extra-bases (three home runs, ten doubles and a triple.)

The PawSox built a 9-3 lead after six times at bat only to see Louisville (16-21) score the final five runs in the contest. Closer Alex Wilson ended the game by inducing a groundout by Bryan Anderson with the tying and winning runs on base.

Brown's homer was his second in as many days and fifth in his last 13 games played. Brandon Snyder (6) also homered for the PawSox (23-16), who matched a season high with nine runs scored. Snyder, Ryan Roberts, Alex Hassan and Ryan Lavarnway each had three of the team's 15 hits.

With the score tied 2-2 through four innings, Pawtucket took the lead for good in the fifth when Lavarnway singled home Roberts and knocked Louisville starter David Holmberg (0-4) from the game. Reliever Chad Rogers recorded two quick outs but then walked Garin Cecchini to load the bases.

Brown followed with a no-doubt shot to right, the third grand slam home run for the PawSox this season. Brown had homered in similar fashion on Sunday in the ninth inning to drive home the winning run in that contest. 

Pawtucket added two more against Rogers in the sixth on RBI hits by Hassan (double) and Lavarnway (single) to make the score 9-3.

Brandon Workman (2-1) struggled through five plus innings but earned his second victory of the season despite allowing ten hits and four runs. The Bats scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, then collected a three-run home run from Kristopher Negron in the eighth against reliever Chris Resop to pull within 9-8. 

Wilson recorded the first two outs in the ninth, but issued back-to-back walks then went 3-0 on the next batter Anderson. After he delivered a called strike, Wilson got a routine ground ball to Lavarnway at first on the 3-1 pitch to finish his fourth save of the season.

Mike Wilson paced the Bats offense with three hits, including two of the team's seven doubles. Holmberg lasted four plus innings and was charged with five runs on seven hits, while his replacement Rogers gave up four runs and six hits in 1.2 innings of work.

Pawtucket's eight-game road trip continues with a trip to Indianapolis for four games against the Indians. Tuesday's opener is scheduled for a 7:05 pm first pitch, with right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (2-2, 2.29) starting for the PawSox. Indianapolis has yet to determine its starting pitcher. Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 6:50 pm.

Following the road trip the PawSox return to McCoy Stadium for a four-game series against Scranton from May 17th through May 20th. Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.