De La Rosa, Sox Shutout Clippers 4-0
COLUMBUS, OHIO -- In his first start since being optioned to Pawtucket, pitcher Rubby De La Rosa lobbied for a quick return to Boston.
De La Rosa collaborated with two relievers on a three-hitter in Monday's series-opening 4-0 victory for the PawSox over the Columbus Clippers in front of an overflow crowd of 12,088 at Huntington Park.
Returning to Triple-A in the wake of a brief stint in the majors in which he did not pitch, De La Rosa was making his first appearance since June 8 in Syracuse. He left that contest with the lead, but eventually settled for a no-decision after the Chiefs rallied against the Pawtucket bullpen.
Still winless despite posting a 3.29 ERA in his first 11 outings, including a 1.04 mark in his last eight games, De La Rosa (W, 1-1) completed 5 1/3 innings and gave up just three hits. Though he walked five, De La Rosa also struck out five and lowered his overall ERA to 2.89.
His counterpart, Toru Murata (L, 0-3) remained winless, suffering his second loss to Pawtucket, including an April 29 defeat at Pawtucket. In his earlier outing, Murata was tagged with three home runs, including a blast by Bryce Brentz.
On Monday Brentz connected again, leading off the second inning with a line shot clearing the 12-foot-high wall in straight-away center field. It his team-leading 14th homer for a club-high 49th RBI.
Ryan Lavarnway followed with a double to that same part of the ballpark, one-hopping the fence one out later to set the stage for Jeremy Hazelbaker, whose RBI single gave the PawSox a 2-0 lead.
Pawtucket scored twice in the fifth inning, following a walk of Jackie Bradley and wild pitch advancing him to second base. Drew Sutton laid down a sacrifice bunt that led to a throwing error by Murata to score Bradley and give the Sox a 3-0 lead. Sutton, who moved to second on the play, then scored on an RBI single by Mitch Maier.
De La Rosa gave way to Alex Wilson, who inherited a one-out baserunner in the sixth and struck out three in 1 2/3 innings. Brock Huntzinger closed out the shutout, the PawSox's second in four days, by retiring all six batters faced.
The series continues Tuesday at 7:05 p.m., when left Chris Hernandez (3-2, 4.38) pitches for Pawtucket opposite Joe Martinez (2-5, 6.48).
De La Rosa collaborated with two relievers on a three-hitter in Monday's series-opening 4-0 victory for the PawSox over the Columbus Clippers in front of an overflow crowd of 12,088 at Huntington Park.
Returning to Triple-A in the wake of a brief stint in the majors in which he did not pitch, De La Rosa was making his first appearance since June 8 in Syracuse. He left that contest with the lead, but eventually settled for a no-decision after the Chiefs rallied against the Pawtucket bullpen.
Still winless despite posting a 3.29 ERA in his first 11 outings, including a 1.04 mark in his last eight games, De La Rosa (W, 1-1) completed 5 1/3 innings and gave up just three hits. Though he walked five, De La Rosa also struck out five and lowered his overall ERA to 2.89.
His counterpart, Toru Murata (L, 0-3) remained winless, suffering his second loss to Pawtucket, including an April 29 defeat at Pawtucket. In his earlier outing, Murata was tagged with three home runs, including a blast by Bryce Brentz.
On Monday Brentz connected again, leading off the second inning with a line shot clearing the 12-foot-high wall in straight-away center field. It his team-leading 14th homer for a club-high 49th RBI.
Ryan Lavarnway followed with a double to that same part of the ballpark, one-hopping the fence one out later to set the stage for Jeremy Hazelbaker, whose RBI single gave the PawSox a 2-0 lead.
Pawtucket scored twice in the fifth inning, following a walk of Jackie Bradley and wild pitch advancing him to second base. Drew Sutton laid down a sacrifice bunt that led to a throwing error by Murata to score Bradley and give the Sox a 3-0 lead. Sutton, who moved to second on the play, then scored on an RBI single by Mitch Maier.
De La Rosa gave way to Alex Wilson, who inherited a one-out baserunner in the sixth and struck out three in 1 2/3 innings. Brock Huntzinger closed out the shutout, the PawSox's second in four days, by retiring all six batters faced.
The series continues Tuesday at 7:05 p.m., when left Chris Hernandez (3-2, 4.38) pitches for Pawtucket opposite Joe Martinez (2-5, 6.48).