PawSox Suffer Heartbreaker, lose 6-5

Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis first-baseman Chris McGuiness grounded a walkoff, two-out bases loaded single to cap a three-run ninth-inning rally against closer Drake Britton that gave the Indians a come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the Pawtucket Red Sox Friday night at Victory Field to win the series three-games-to-one. 

The IL's leading hitter Gregory Polanco tied the score with one out in the ninth on his third hit of the game, an RBI single that helped atone for a mental mistake Polanco made on Daniel Nava's go-ahead, inside-the-park two-run home run in the eighth.

The heartbreaking loss gave Pawtucket (24-19) its first series loss in 11 played this season. Pawtucket had erased a late 3-0 deficit by batting around and scoring five runs in the eighth inning after being shutout on only one hit by Indianpolis starter Jeff Locke through seven innings. 

Britton (0-1) entered to pitch the ninth with the PawSox holding a 5-3 lead and allowed five hits and issued an intentional walk. With Chase d'Arnaud (pinch-hit triple) at third base with one out, Chris Dickerson grounded an infield RBI single to second base to make the score 5-4.

Robert Andino then singled to advance Dickerson to second setting the stage for Polanco's bloop RBI single, a ball that just landed in front of diving left-fielder Daniel Nava. Nava's throw home bounced late as Dickerson scored, and on the throw Andino and Polanco advanced to second and third.

After an intentional walk to Matt Hague loaded the bases, Brent Morel bounced a slow swinging bunt on which third-baseman Brock Holt made a barehanded pickup and throw to home for a force out on Andino. McGuiness followed and ended the game with a ground ball single into center that plated Polanco and set off a celebration.

Phil Irwin entered in relief of Locke in the eighth with a 3-0 lead and Brandon Snyder greeted him with an opposite field home run, his team-leading seventh of the season. Brock Holt's sacrifice fly against Andy Oliver made the score 3-2, and Alex Hassan greeted Josh Kinney (1-1) with a game-tying RBI double.

Nava then lined a Kinney pitch into the right-field corner easily scoring Hassan, a ball that appeared to lodge in front of the bullpen bench. Polanco did not pick it up, instead trying in vain to ask the umpire to rule a ground-rule double. Nava kept running and crossed home plate.

It was ruled an inside-the-park home run, his third homer of the season and second against Kinney. Polanco batted 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBI and in the series went 8-for-14 with five RBI.

The PawSox next return to McCoy Stadium for a four-game series against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that begins on Saturday night. Pawtucket right-hander Brandon Workman (2-1, 5.34) will get the start against against RailRiders righty Brian Gordon (2-3, 4.06), with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 pm. 

Good seats are still available for all of the upcoming games 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 5:50 pm on Saturday.