PawSox Rally Late, Down Bulls in Extras
DURHAM, NC - The Pawtucket Red Sox plated three runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game before striking for a run in the 11th inning en route to an 8-7 win over the Durham Bulls Wednesday night at the DBAP.
Trailing 7-4 entering the ninth inning, Pawtucket (29-32) faced a tall task in southpaw Jeff Beliveau, who had not allowed a run in 23 2/3 innings with the Bulls to that point. However, the lefty allowed three runs to score in the frame behind a trio of walks and a game-tying, two-run double from former Bull Ryan Roberts. Then after trading a scoreless 10th inning, Mookie Betts delivered a solo home run to left field in just his second career Triple-A game to propel the PawSox in front 8-7.
Durham (36-25) trailed 4-1 after six innings of play, but countered with a six-spot in the seventh inning to take a 7-4 lead. Eight straight Bulls reached base in the frame, with six of them coming around to score highlighted by an RBI double from Jayson Nix, and RBI singles from Vince Belnome, Curt Casali and Ray Olmedo.
Left-hander Rich Hill (2-2) picked up the victory for Pawtucket, throwing three scoreless frames while striking out four and walking just one. Braulio Lara (0-3) suffered the loss by allowing one run on one hit and three walks in 2 1/3 innings.
Olmedo led the way for the Bulls offensively, finishing 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs while Belnome chipped in two hits and two RBIs. All nine Durham starters finished with at least one hit.
The series continues Thursday at 7:05 p.m. when the Bulls send RHP Alex Colome (0-0, 0.00) to the mound opposite RHP Steven Wright (0-, 3.00) who is on MLB Rehab with the PawSox.