PawSox Fall to Tides 3-1

(Norfolk, VA) - Pawtucket stranded 15 men on base and went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position and Norfolk scored three runs in the first two innings as the Tides beat the PawSox, 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Harbor Park to win their second straight in the series. 

Stephen Drew, continuing a minor league stint as he attempts to rejoin Boston, started for perhaps the final time with Pawtucket and went 1-for-3 with a double in five innings played. Drew will be eligible to be recalled to the majors on Monday.

Pawtucket (28-30) was blanked through eight innings despite leaving 14 runners aboard. Then in the ninth, the PawSox had the first three batters reach base against closer Heath Bell including a Travis Shaw double and Christian Vazquez RBI single.

Bell was able to bear down with the tying runners on base as he struck out Corey Brown for the first out then induced a game-ending 6-4-3 double play groundout from Mike McCoy. Bell was credited with his first save with Norfolk.

Norfolk scored a run in the first and then two more in the second against Pawtucket starter Anthony Ranaudo (5-4). Buck Britton's RBI double opened the scoring, then an RBI groundout from Quintin Berry and sacrifice fly by Ivan De Jesus made the score 3-0 after two.

Tides starter Nick Additon held the PawSox scoreless through his 4.2 innings of work despite allowing 11 baserunners - four hits, six walks and one hit batsmen. Former PawSox hurler Brock Huntzinger relieved Additon with the bases loaded in the fifth and recorded a line out by McCoy to escape the jam.

Huntzinger (1-3) pitched scoreless ball in the sixth and seventh innings and was credited with the win. MLB-rehabbing Edgmer Escalona stranded the bases loaded in the eighth when he induced a fly out from Justin Henry to keep Norfolk in front 3-0.

The finale of the series is slated for a 7:05 pm first pitch on Monday night. Right-hander Matt Barnes (1-3, 5.35) will get the ball for manager Kevin Boles, while knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa (3-4, 4.52) is expected to start for the Tides. 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 an eight-game homestand, beginning with four games against Louisville beginning on Saturday, June 7th. Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.