PawSox Prevail, 2-1, to Clinch Winning Season

(Pawtucket, RI) - Led by starter Sean O'Sullivan, the Pawtucket Red Sox struck out 13 batters for the second straight night to defeat the Syracuse Chiefs, 2-1, and clinch a winning season on Saturday night at McCoy Stadium.

The PawSox (72-68) rebounded from a 59-85 finish in 2015 to claim their fifth winning season in the last six years.

"To have a winning season with everything that happens throughout a Triple-A season, there's something to be said for that," said manager Kevin Boles. "It's not over but it's nice to know that these guys are going to leave with a winning season,"

O'Sullivan (9-6) allowed one run on four hits and three walks in 5.1 innings of work. He struck out eight, his most in a game since April.

"I thought he had a good use of his cutter and he spun some breaking balls that were effective," said Boles.

O'Sullivan has allowed two runs over 17.0 innings in his last three starts dating to August 24, which includes two outings against Syracuse (61-80).

Just like in O'Sullivan's last home start, he delivered five shutout innings before surrendering his only run in the sixth.

Matt Skole lined a one-out single to center in the sixth that snapped a string of five straight strikeouts for O'Sullivan. The next batter, Jason Martinson, grounded an RBI double down the left field line for the Chiefs' only run of the game.

O'Sullivan departed after walking the following hitter, Matt den Dekker, leaving two runners on base for reliever Roman Mendez. But Mendez induced an infield fly and a fly out to left field to keep the score 2-1.

Pawtucket collected their runs in the third and fifth frames against Syracuse starter Taylor Hill (6-13).

Jose Vinico lined an opposite-field double into the left field corner to begin the third. The next batter, Rusney Castillo, dropped a double in between the outfielders in right center field that scored Vinicio with the first run of the game.

Castillo reached second base on a throwing error from third baseman Matt Skole with one out in the fifth inning. The next batter, Ryan LaMarre, flared a broken-bat hit over the first baseman and Castillo ran through hitting coach Rich Gedman's stop sign to score the second PawSox run.

Roman Mendez tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, while Austin Maddox did not allow a run in an inning pitched in his third career Triple-A appearance.

Heath Hembree struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth for his eighth save of the season for Pawtucket.

PawSox pitchers totaled 31 strikeouts over the three-game series.

Conversely, Syracuse pitchers held Pawtucket to only 12 hits in the series.

The PawSox play their penultimate game of the season tomorrow night at 6:05 p.m. in the opener of a two-game series with the Buffalo Bisons. Pawtucket righthander Justin Haley (7-6, 3.96) is scheduled to make the start against Buffalo righthander Scott Copeland (3-3, 3.45). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox radio network begins at 5:35 p.m.

The final two games of the season feature a Post-Game Fireworks Show tomorrow and an End of Season Celebration after the season finale on Monday. Good seats for all remaining games are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office; call (401) 724-7300 or visit pawsox.com to get your tickets today.