Welcome to the PawSox Junichi Tazawa

By Steve Hyder

July 28, 2009

Japanese righthander Junichi Tazawa made a great first impression on Tuesday night in Buffalo, despite the PawSox' 2-1 loss to the Bisons. The 23 year old was outstanding in his Triple A debut, allowing just 3 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) in six innings. Tazawa had 3 strikeouts and did not issue a walk. Tazawa (0-1) ran up against veteran Nelson Figueroa who beat Pawtucket for the second time in 19 days.

Figueroa (7-5) pitched 8 strong innings, scattering 4 hits and 1 run (unearned), striking out 9 PawSox hitters. Former Pawtucket pitcher Jon Switzer pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his second save.

Travis Denker, Chris Carter, Chris Duncan and Angel Chavez each had a base hit, all singles. Bubba Bell had a grounder that knocked in the only PawSox run. The PawSox have lost 17 of their last 22 games.

The series continues on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Enrique Gonzalez (7-8, 5.52) faces Lance Broadway (3-4, 5.47).