Chiefs Win Third Straight Over PawSox

(Syracuse, NY) The Syracuse Chiefs rode another strong start from Austin Voth and timely hitting to a 5-0 win over the Pawtucket Red Sox on Saturday at NBT Bank Stadium.   The victory was the third straight for the Chiefs and will send the PawSox into the series finale looking to salvage a game in the four-game set.   

Pawtucket (11-11) had chances early against Voth, but the right-hander wiggled out of trouble. In the first, Blake Swihart - who played left field for the second time in his career - singled before Sam Travis doubled. But Voth then retired Justin Maxwell on a fly ball to center and escaped the jam.

Roenis Elias retired the Chiefs in order in the first but allowed a solo homer to Matt Skole to open the second. Skole's first homer would prove to be the only offense the Chiefs would need on an afternoon that saw the PawSox leave nine men on base. 

The Chiefs tacked on a second run in the fourth inning; Scott Sizemore led off with a single to right before Jason Martinson was walked. Elias then retired the next two hitters before Brian Goodwin singled to right to score Sizemore and give the Chiefs a 2-0 edge. 

The PawSox had their best scoring chance in the top of the fifth thanks to an unpredictable bout of wildness from Voth. With two outs, the righthander - who had not walked a single batter in 22.2 innings - issued three consecutive free passes. But Rusney Castillo struck out to end the threat and cap Voth's day.

In the bottom of the inning, Scott Sizemore laid down a perfect two-out bunt that scored Caleb Ramsey, who had walked to begin the frame.   The Sox then put two aboard in the sixth but a hot shot to third off the bat of Chris Marrero became a double play and ended the threat. 

Elias came back out for the seventh and retired the first two hitters before Trea Turner singled to left. Roman Mendez came on in relief and allowed a double to Scott Sizemore, then hit Jason Martinson. Skole then doubled into the left-field bullpen to plate the final two runs and push the Chiefs ahead, 5-0. 

Pawtucket will look to win the finale on Sunday at 1:05 P.M. with Sean O'Sullivan (2-2, 3.12) on the mound against lefty Aaron Laffey (2-0, 1.93). The pregame show can be heard on WHJJ 920 AM and throughout the PawSox radio network at 12:35. 

The PawSox will return to McCoy Stadium on Thursday, May 5 for the first contest of a four-game homestand against the Rochester Red Wings. Good seats for all games in the series are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.