PawSox Stunned in 8-6 Loss

(Rochester, NY) - Pawtucket squandered a 6-0 lead over the final three innings as the Rochester Red Wings scored eight unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth to earn a come-from-behind 8-6 victory over the PawSox Thursday afternoon at Frontier Field and get a split in the four-game series. 

The Rochester rally spoiled a dominating performance from Clay Buccholz, who started on the mound for Pawtucket (37-38) to continue his MLB injury rehab assignment. Buccholz tossed six shutout innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five. The right-hander, who did not allow his first hit until the fifth inning, threw 87 pitches in the outing.

After trailing 6-3 through seven innings, the Red Wings (41-32) batted around in the eighth and scored five runs against reliever Alex Wilson (1-1). A double and two walks loaded the bases with one out, then left-fielder Daniel Ortiz hit a go-ahead grand slam home run (3) to right. It was the first grand slam allowed by Pawtucket pitching this season.

Doug Bernier's sacrifice fly later in the inning capped the nine-batter rally and completed the scoring. Rochester scored three times in the seventh against Dalier Hinojosa, all of them coming home on a bases-clearing double from James Beresford.

Pawtucket scored three runs in the second and two more in the third against Red Wings starter Logan Darnell. A two-run double by Alex Hassan and an RBI single from Mookie Betts made the score 3-0, then Justin Henry's two-out RBI double the next inning increased the lead to 5-0.

After neither team scored for the next three innings, Travis Shaw blasted his second home run with the PawSox to lead off the seventh against Deolis Guerra. Michael Tonkin (2-1) stranded a runner at third base in the eighth and earned the victory while Aaron Thompson stranded the tying runners on base in the ninth to pick up his third save.

Pawtucket's eight-game road trip continues with a trip to Scranton for four games against the RailRiders. Friday's opener is scheduled for a 7:05 pm first pitch, with right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (7-4, 2.58) starting for the PawSox. Scranton will counter with righty Joel De La Cruz (2-5, 4.06). 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 season-long ten-game homestand, beginning with four games against Norfolk beginning on Tuesday, June 24th. Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.