O'Sullivan Pitches PawSox to Another 2-1 Win and Series Victory

(Pawtucket, RI) - The Pawtucket Red Sox used a superior pitching performance from Sean O'Sullivan to earn their second straight four-game series win, fending off the Toledo Mud Hens, 2-1, on a windy Thursday afternoon at McCoy Stadium.

Pawtucket (31-29) claimed its seventh win in its last nine contests to move its record to two games over .500 for the first time since April 28 when the club was 11-9.

All three PawSox victories in the series came by 2-1 final scores. The team has won four of its last five series at McCoy.

O'Sullivan (4-2) tossed eight innings, allowing just one run on eight hits. The lone run on his ledger scored in the ninth inning after he had departed the game.

"He was terrific and very efficient," said manager Kevin Boles. "He had great command of the fastball and a good tempo."

The righthander struck out five, while he walked exactly one batter for his fifth consecutive Triple-A start.

"Dan [Butler] did a great job behind the plate calling pitches," said O'Sullivan. "It seemed like they were going to be swinging a lot so I just tried to get ahead of guys and not work too many deep counts."

O'Sullivan has thrown at least 7.0 innings in five of his eight outings this season, while three Pawtucket starters have lasted at least 8.0 innings in the last five games. The PawSox allowed six total runs in the four-game series with the Mud Hens (27-32).

Pawtucket struck for its two runs in the third inning. Deven Marrero singled into right field and Dan Butler walked to place runners on second and third with no outs.

The next batter, Jose Vinicio, bunted a ball to Toledo starter Dustin Molleken (1-2) who wheeled to throw to third base but third baseman Casey McGehee was not at the bag. Instead, Molleken airmailed a throw to first base all the way into the picnic area along the first base line. Marrero scored, Butler advanced to third and Vinicio reached second on what was ruled a single and an error.

Justin Maxwell followed with a sacrifice fly into right field that gave Pawtucket a 2-0 lead.

The PawSox put together a bases-loaded threat with one out in the seventh, which included one of two hits on the day for Deven Marrero and one of three walks in the contest for Dan Butler.

But Jose Vinicio grounded into a 4-2 force out and Justin Maxwell tapped into a 6-4 force out.

O'Sullivan surrendered a Steven Moya double and a walk to Chad Huffman to begin the ninth inning.

Kyle Martin was called out of the bullpen and after he induced a fielder's choice, McGehee lined an RBI single into right field to cut the Pawtucket's lead to 2-1.

The next batter, Jordany Valedspin hit a hard ground ball back to the mound. Martin made an excellent play to snag the ball and fire a strike to second base, which began a game-ending 1-6-3 double play.

"That was an unbelievable play by Martin," said Boles.

The PawSox open a three-game series with the Louisville Bats tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. on Free Brady Friday. Pawtucket lefthander Roenis Elias is scheduled to take the mound against Louisville righthander Jon Moscot (1-2, 6.97). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox radio network begins at 6:35 p.m.

Tomorrow's Free Brady Friday will feature visits from WEEI's Jerry Thornton and New England's End Zone Militia. Additionally, the first 3,000 fans will receive unique placards reading, "Keep your Paws off our Quarterback!"

Good seats for each of the weekend series are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.