PawSox Split Doubleheader With Buffalo

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - After being blanked in the first game of a doubleheader, the Pawtucket Red Sox returned the favor in the nightcap with the Buffalo Bisons and split the twin-bill on a beautiful Tuesday night at McCoy Stadium.
In game one, Buffalo plated three runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back in a 4-0 victory over the PawSox, who once again played as Los Osos Polares - celebrating the surrounding Hispanic community.
The PawSox then scored in three of the first four innings in the second game and toppled the Bisons, 6-0, to level the four-game series at a game apiece.
Game One
Pawtucket starter Jalen Beeks (L, 4-4) allowed three earned runs (four total) on five hits and four walks in 4.2 innings, collecting seven strikeouts. Right-handed reliever Kyle Martin was excellent and fanned three over 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball.
Buffalo starter Ryan Borucki (W, 6-5) sparkled over seven shutout frames in which he only yielded three hits and a walk.
In the top of the first, rehabbing Blue Jays left fielder Steve Pearce drilled a three-run homer to left field.
Buffalo stretched its lead to 4-0 in the third on an infield single and Pawtucket throwing error.
After logging just one hit through the first six innings, the PawSox strung together back-to-back infield singles in the seventh, but Borucki buckled down to stamp the victory.
Game Two
Pawtucket reliever Fernando Rodriguez Jr. shined in his second spot start of the season, firing a season-best 3.2 scoreless stanzas of one-hit work in which he punched out a season-high five.
"Rodriguez was good," Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles said. "It looked like his ball was coming out pretty good, gave us some length that we needed, was around 65-70 pitches, what we're looking for."
Left-hander Williams Jerez (W, 2-0) struck out three in 2.1 shutout innings, and righty Ryan Brasier handled the seventh.
Pawtucket shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin (3-for-4, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI), center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB) and left fielder Aneury Tavárez (2-for-3) steered the offense.
Buffalo reliever Murphy Smith (L, 0-3) surrendered five runs on seven hits and a pair of walks in 3.1 innings.
Pawtucket cracked three singles in the bottom of the first inning, and designated hitter Adam Lind plated Lin with a rope to center to make it 1-0.
In the second, Castillo tagged a two-out, two-strike, two-run single to center to add a pair and widen the margin to 3-0.
With one on and one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Lin mashed a two-run homer to right field - his fourth big fly of the season. Three batters later, Lind struck a ball to deep center, where Buffalo center fielder Roemon Fields dropped the ball and allowed another run to score on his error.
The PawSox continue their four-game series with the Bisons on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. Pawtucket right-hander Josh A. Smith (0-2, 22.85) is scheduled to oppose Bisons righty Nick Tepesch (0-1, 1.64). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 6:05 p.m.
The seven-game homestand against 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.