PawSox Fall 7-6 to Syracuse

(Syracuse, NY) - Syracuse DH Tyler Moore walked with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning against Drake Britton after Pawtucket had rallied to tie the score in the top of the frame and the Chiefs bested the PawSox, 7-6, Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium to earn a split in the two-game series. 

Both Will Middleberooks (fractured index finger) and Mike Carp (broken bone in right foot) played for the PawSox as part of their respective Major League injury rehab assignments. Carp played the entire game in left field and nailed a two-run home run in the third inning. He finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and is now 3-for-17 in six games during his rehab stint.

Middlebrooks played the entire game as the DH and finished 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Middlebrooks is now 3-for-12 with two walks and a home run in four games since resuming his rehab stint earlier in the week.

Britton (1-3) walked three batters in the bottom of the ninth and took the loss. The Chiefs nearly won the game earlier in the inning on Jeff Kobernus' single to right, but Alex Hassan threw out Sandy Leon at the plate for the second out. Britton then gave up an infield hit to Zach Walters and intentionally walked Steven Souza before allowing the game-winning free pass to Moore on four pitches.

Pawtucket (46-45) has now lost four of its last five following a six-game winning streak, the last three of which have come by one run. All-Star right-hander Anthony Ranaudo started for the PawSox and allowed five runs, all earned, on seven hits in six innings.

After Syracuse plated a run in the seventh on Souza's sacrifice fly to take a 6-5 lead, Pawtucket rallied to tie the score in the ninth against Xavier Cedeno (4-0). Ryan Roberts led off with a double, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Deven Marrero and scored on a wild pitch.

Chiefs first-baseman Brandon Laird hit an RBI double and a two-run home run against Ranaudo in the first three innings to help Syracuse build an early 5-3 lead. Pawtucket had scored three in the third on Carp's two-run blast and Travis Shaw's monster solo shot to right (6).

The PawSox tied the score with a pair of unearned runs in the fourth against Chiefs starter Blake Treinen. Hassan's RBI double made the score 5-4, then Mike McCoy's RBI groundout pulled Pawtucket even.

Pawtucket's ten-game road trip continues with a trip to Columbus for four games against the Clippers. Sunday's opener is scheduled for a 6:05 pm first pitch, with right-hander Rubby De La Rosa (2-4, 3.51) starting for the PawSox. Columbus will counter with righty Zach McAllister (4-0, 2.08). Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 5:50 pm.

Following the road trip the PawSox return to McCoy Stadium for a season-long ten-Following the ten-game road trip and the subsequent Triple-A All-Star break, the PawSox return to McCoy Stadium for a four game series against Buffalo that begins on Thursday, July 17th. Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.