PawSox Lose in 11, 2-1
(Pawtucket, RI) - Pawtucket starter Matt Barnes was pulled after seven no-hit, shutout innings but then Columbus scored the tying run in the eighth and winning tally in the 11th as the Clippers topped the PawSox, 2-1 in 11 innings, Saturday night at McCoy Stadium in front of 4,209 fans in the opener of a four-game series.
Barnes dominated for seven full frames, striking out ten and walking just two while tossing a career-high 106 pitches. The right-hander stranded each of his walks at third base and left the game with a no-hitter and a 1-0 lead. But after Miguel Celestino allowed three hits and a run in the eighth, Zach Walters lined an RBI single to plate an unearned game-winning run in the top of the 11th.
Pawtucket (63-52) lost for the fourth time in its last six contests and remained one game behind Syracuse (63-50) in the North Division standings. Rochester moved to within 0.5 games of the PawSox in the IL wildcard standings with a 6-3 victory at Louisville.
Jose Valdez (0-1), pitching for the first time in three weeks, retired the first four batters he faced in the 10th and 11th, but then Pawtucket shortstop Deven Marrero made a two-base throwing error on Giovanny Urshela's grounder to start the go-ahead rally.
Walters, playing in only his second game after acquired by Cleveland from Washington in exchange for Asdrubal Cabrera, then lined a single into right center to score Urshela.
Five Columbus relievers combined to pitch five scoreless innings with only two hits allowed. Mark Lowe (2-2) retired all four men he faced in the ninth and 10th innings to earn the win, while C.C. Lee pitched a perfect bottom of the 11th to earn his second save.
Miguel Celestino relieved Barnes in the eighth and retired the first batter he faced before Carlos Moncrief lined a single to right to break up Pawtucket's no-hit bid after 7.1 innings. Elliot Johnson followed with another single and then Luke Carlin grounded a game-tying RBI hit to right that left the score at 1-1.
Game two of the series is slated for a 1:05 pm first pitch on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Steven Wright (5-2, 2.80) will get the ball for manager Kevin Boles, while righty Toru Murata (1-2, 5.26) is expected to be activated and start for the Clippers.
Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com. Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 12:50 pm.