Bullpen Lifts PawSox to 4-1 Win in Finale

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Bolstered by excellent work from the bullpen, the Pawtucket Red Sox defeated the Buffalo Bisons, 4-1, to claim a third win in the four-game series Thursday night at McCoy Stadium in a game broadcast live on NESN.
Pawtucket (35-36) broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning, tacked on two more in the fifth and cruised as its bullpen stamped the victory with four scoreless innings, quelling the Bisons (34-32).
In his return to Triple-A after a week-plus stint with the Red Sox, Pawtucket starter Justin Haley tossed five innings of one-run work, lowering his Triple-A ERA to 3.06. Rehabbing Red Sox reliever Tyler Thornburg threw a hitless and scoreless sixth inning, allowing just one baserunner (hit batter). Right-hander Ty Buttrey got the next four outs and decreased his ERA to a sparkling 1.97. Lefty Bobby Poyner (two huge outs in the eighth) and closer Ryan Brasier (1-2-3 ninth inning for his ninth save) secured the victory.
Pawtucket right fielder Aneury Tavárez (2-for-4, R), center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-3, 2 R, BB), left fielder Sam Travis (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and catcher Dan Butler (2-for-3, BB) all recorded multi-hit games.
Buffalo starter Sean Reid-Foley (L, 2-2) ceded four runs on seven hits and four walks in five innings, though the powerful 22-year old did punch out seven.
The Bisons scratched out a run in the top of the first inning on an RBI single from No. 3 hitter and first baseman Rowdy Tellez.
Pawtucket tied the game in the home half of the first when Travis dumped a two-out RBI single into center to plate Castillo and level the game 1-1.
In the fourth, Pawtucket first baseman Mike Ohlman lofted an opposite-field solo homer barely over the right-field wall and just out of the reach of Buffalo right fielder Roemon Fields, who nearly robbed the long ball.
An inning later, the PawSox loaded the bases for Travis, who stung a line drive to shortstop, where it deflected off the glove of Buffalo's leaping Richard Ureña for an RBI infield single. Pawtucket extended its lead to 4-1 moments later when second baseman Iván De Jesús Jr. grounded into a 6-3 double play that allowed Castillo to come in the back door from third.
The PawSox continue their seven-game homestand when they crack open a three-game weekend series with the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals) - beginning Friday at 7:05 p.m. Pawtucket right-hander William Cuevas (4-4, 3.70) is scheduled to oppose Chiefs righty Brady Dragmire (0-1, 14.40). The game will be broadcast live on YurView on COX and Spectrum 3, and radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 6:35 p.m.
The homestand runs through Sunday. Good seats are available, and fans can visit the McCoy Stadium box office, which is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., and during all home games. Fans can also call (401) 724-7300 or log on to PawSox.com for tickets.