Bulls Take Series Finale to Sweep PawSox

PAWTUCKET, RI - The Durham Bulls (45-27) completed a three-game sweep of the Pawtucket Hot Wieners (30-41), taking the series finale in extra innings on a foggy Thursday night at McCoy Stadium by a final of 11-7.  
Durham, the highest-scoring offense in the International League, mashed five home runs on the night, three of which came in the seventh inning. They came from behind in all three games of the series.
Trailing 7-5 with two down in the ninth inning, Josh Ockimey tied the game with a two-run double that sent the game to extra innings for a second-straight game.
In the 10^th, Durham plated four hours, three coming on a three-run blast from Brendan McKay.
Playing as the Hot Wieners - replete all the way with neon-lettered jerseys and special caps - as a tribute to and celebration of Rhode Island's popular food item, the PawSox jumped out to an early lead.
After Chad De La Guerra ripped a double down the first-base line, the rehabbing Steve Pearce tapped a slow roller up the first-base line that was fielded by Ryan Merritt, but he made an errant throw to first, allowing Pearce to reach and De La Guerra to score from second base.
Serving as the designated hitter, Pearce went 2-for-4 with a pair in infield singles.
Working for a second-consecutive day, Tyler Thornburg entered the game in the seventh inning and only recorded two outs. The right-hander gave up three extra-base hits, two of them two-run home runs. Thornburg also walked a batter and struck one out.
The PawSox added another run in the third inning thanks to De La Guerra's seventh home run of the season.
Durham got a run in the fourth inning on a solo homer from Nick Solak.
Josh Tobias brought home Pawtucket's third run of the game on an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth.
The Bulls scored on a wild pitch in the sixth inning to make it a one-run ball game.
They broke it open in the seventh. Durham batted around in that frame and scored five times. The Bulls got three home runs in the inning: a two-run shot from Jake Smolinski, a two-run homer off the bat of Nate Lowe, and a solo blast from Mike Brosseau
De La Guerra drove in another run in the seventh on an RBI double.
Sam Travis ripped an RBI double to center to make it 7-5 in the seventh. Travis has now reached in 30 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in the International League
Pawtucket starter Erasmo Ramírez turned in a quality start. Ramírez tossed 6 innings allowing just a pair of earned runs. He walked only one, and he struck out 4.
The PawSox begin a three-game series with the Indianapolis Indians tomorrow night at McCoy. Pawtucket left-hander Kyle Hart (3-1, 3.38) will be opposed by Indians righty Rookie Davis (1-4, 5.18).
The game will be televised live on YurView on COX. 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 Tuesday, June 25. Tomorrow night, fans can receive Jason Varitek replica jerseys. In addition, Roger Clemens will be inducted into the PawSox Hall of Fame. On June 22 (Saturday), fans will be treated to Post-Game Fireworks set to a Beatles theme. Before that game, PawSox manager Billy McMillon and former team general manager Lou Schwechheimer will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame in special pre-game ceremonies. June 23 (Sunday) is a Sunday Funday with a pre-game catch on the field and post-game run the bases.
Good tickets are available, and fans can visit the McCoy Stadium box office, which is open Monday-Friday from 9 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.