Haley dominates in Pawtucket's two-hitter

Justin Haley's opponent Sunday was exactly the one he needed to finish his first Triple-A stint on a high note.

The Red Sox right-hander gave up two hits and walked one while striking out seven over eight innings Sunday as Triple-A Pawtucket blanked Buffalo, 1-0, at McCoy Stadium.

Haley (8-6) had given up 14 runs on 19 hits over 12 2/3 frames in his last three outings -- all three against Lehigh Valley -- but had held the Bisons to seven hits over 15 scoreless inning in the two prior starts. He continued his dominance Sunday, facing the minimum over the first six frames without allowing a hit.

"He was terrific," PawSox manager Ken Boles told PawSox.com. "He showed command with his fastball and he had some swing and miss to it."

Buffalo eventually spoiled Haley's no-hit bid with an infield single by Quintin Berry to lead off the seventh. The Bisons center fielder bounced a grounder just past the mound and beat the 25-year-old hurler's throw to first base.

Haley responded by setting down six of the last seven batters he faced, allowing just an infield single by Andy Burns. True to form, the Fresno State product completed the start in 100 pitches -- 71 for strikes -- while inducing 10 groundouts. His seven strikeouts matched his International League best from his circuit debut June 18 against Louisville.

"I was just trying to have a good rhythm throughout the game and I think we kept a good tempo," Haley told the website. "We kept the hitters on their heels, pitched inside a lot and kept them in swing mode."

Haley's pitch-to-contact approach has proven particularly effective against Buffalo, who failed to score off him over 23 innings in three games.

After finishing August with a 2-3 record and a 4.55 ERA over five starts (27 2/3 frames), the 2012 sixth-round pick slashed his ERA with Pawtucket to 3.59 in his first outing of September and final start of the year. He picked up his 13th combined win between the International League and Eastern League, a career high.

"It was an exciting outing and it was nice to have a good last outing here in Pawtucket," Haley told PawSox.com.

Luis Ysla took over for Haley in the ninth and gave up a hit while striking out two to notch his first save.

Buffalo starter Scott Copeland (3-4) surrendered an unearned run on three hits and fanned five over six innings.