PawSox Stun Charlotte With Three-Run Ninth Inning

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Down to their final strike and down by a run in the ninth inning, the Pawtucket Red Sox promptly plated three runs to stun the Charlotte Knights, 8-6, on Monday night in the series opener at BB&T Ballpark.
Despite a four-run top of the first inning that followed a 32-minute weather delay before first pitch, the PawSox (45-47) fell into a 6-5 deficit in the fourth inning that lasted into the top of the ninth. With two outs and nobody on and a 2-2 count, Pawtucket shortstop Mike Miller was hit by a pitch. Catcher Dan Butler then singled. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, setting the table for leadoff man Aneury Tavárez to rip a two-run, go-ahead single into center field to plate both and push the PawSox in front by one. Left fielder Tony Renda then tagged a comebacker off Charlotte's pitcher, who made a throwing error to first that allowed Tavarez to score an insurance run. Pawtucket, which won Sunday at McCoy Stadium on a walk-off home run from Adam Lind, started the seven-game road trip - which begins with four games against the Knights (42-52) - with another thrilling victory.
Pawtucket's bullpen shined all night. Right-hander Kyle Martin fanned three in 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit work. Charlotte native Ty Buttrey then bookended a 1-2-3 inning with a pair of strikeouts, touching 100 MPH in the process. After his option from the Red Sox, reliable left-hander Robby Scott (W, 1-0) emptied the tank with two effective innings, striking out three straight Knights to end the ballgame in the home half of the ninth. Starter Chandler Shepherd allowed two earned runs (six total runs) on eight hits and two walks in 3.2 innings.
In his second game with Pawtucket, former National League All-Star Brandon Phillips made his first start at second base, batted third in the order and played six innings. The 37-year old went 1-for-3 with an RBI double off the wall in left-center field, a groundout to third and a lineout to second. Phillips made a nifty barehanded play and a smooth sliding stop and also committed an error on a ball smoked at him.
Renda (2-for-5, R, 2B), left fielder Sam Travis (2-for-4) and Butler (2-for-4, R, HR, RBI) bolstered a lineup that received hits from eight of its nine starters in a 12-hit performance.
In the top of the first inning, Renda and Phillips strung together back-to-back doubles, with Phillips scoring Renda to make it 1-0. Two batters later, designated hitter Mike Ohlman pulled an RBI single through the left side to plate Phillips. The next batter, third baseman Mike Olt, hammered a two-run homer off the videoboard that traveled 408 feet and pushed Pawtucket ahead 4-0.
The Knights snatched back three runs in the home half of the first, capitalizing on a Pawtucket error to start the frame. In total, Charlotte sent eight batters to the plate and reeled in runs with a pair of doubles and a single.
In the second inning, Butler cracked a solo blast to the left-field bleachers - his fourth home run of the season - to extend the lead to 5-3.
Charlotte, however, vaulted ahead, 6-5, with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, again cashing in on a Pawtucket error and getting an RBI groundout, RBI double on a ball lost in the twilight sky and sacrifice fly.
The PawSox scored their three runs in the ninth, and Scott slammed the door shut to lock up the exciting win.
The PawSox continue their four-game series against Charlotte on Tuesday at 7:04 p.m. PawSox right-hander Justin Haley (5-7, 3.20) is scheduled to start opposite Charlotte left-hander Jordan Guerrero (2-0, 2.16). 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.
After the seven-game road trip, the PawSox will return home July 24-29 (Tuesday-Sunday) to square off with the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) and Knights. Good tickets 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.