Early Runs Sink PawSox 6-1
(Syracuse, NY) - Syracuse scored six runs against Pawtucket starter Matt Barnes in the first four innings and the PawSox offense was stymied by four double-play groundouts as the Chiefs earned a 6-1 victory Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at NBT Bank Stadium.
The PawSox (25-23) lost their fourth consecutive game as the team's offense has been held to just one run in the last 21 innings at-bat dating back to Monday night. Pawtucket collected ten hits on the night but stranded eight baserunners and hit into four twin-killings in the first six innings of play.
Barnes (1-2) allowed a two-run home run to Brock Peterson (4) to open the scoring in the first, then a solo shot to Steven Souza Jr. (4) in the third that made the score 4-0. Then after a Pawtucket run in the top of the fourth, Barnes allowed the first five hitters he faced to reach in the fourth and was pulled from the game.
Manny Burris' bases-loaded RBI single plated the fifth Syracuse run and a fielding error on right-fielder Alex Hassan on the same play brought home the final run of the night. Barnes was charged with six earned runs in three plus innings of work on eight hits and three walks.
Chiefs starter Ryan Tatusko (2-5) benefitted from all four double-play groundouts in his six innings of work and allowed only one run on eight hits. Relievers Zach Jackson (1.0 innings) and Manny Delcarmen (2.0 innings) finished the victory for Syracuse without allowing a run.
Corey Brown's RBI single in the fourth provided Pawtucket with its only run of the night. Brown, Ryan Roberts and Garin Cecchini each had two hits for the PawSox while Ryan Lavarnway went 3-for-4 in the contest.
Game two of the series is slated for a 7:00 pm first pitch on Friday night with Pawtucket trying to avoid its first five-game skid of the season. Right-hander Brandon Workman (3-1, 5.12) is slated to start for the PawSox, while Syracuse counters with southpaw Aaron Laffey (4-2, 4.54). Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 6:45 pm.
Following the four-game trip, Pawtucket returns to McCoy Stadium for a four-game series with the Gwinnett Braves from Monday, May 26th through Thursday May 29th. Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.