Shawaryn, Travis Lead PawSox to Doubleheader Split

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Pawtucket Red Sox starter Mike Shawaryn starred with a seven-inning shutout, and cleanup man Sam Travis went 5-for-6 with a pair of doubles in Tuesday's doubleheader, as the PawSox split their twin bill with the Norfolk Tides at McCoy Stadium.  
In the first game, Norfolk (62-57) cracked a pair of homers and defeated the PawSox (57-62), 4-1, despite three hits from Travis, who has upped his Triple-A average to .264 by hitting .341 in 34 Triple-A games since June 30.
"He's looking better," Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles said. "We talk about the start of the year and where he was, I think he was pressing a little bit. Now, you just watch the quality of work when you throw to him in batting practice, the barrel is spending a lot more time in the zone. He's got a much better base. He's got himself in a nice position to hit, very balanced. He's working to all fields."
The PawSox leveled the series and forced a rubber game Wednesday afternoon after they received a seven-inning shutout from Shawaryn in a 4-0 win in the nightcap.  
"He used his changeup tonight," Boles said of Shawaryn, who made his third Triple-A start. "We've seen him again just a little bit, but when he gets that changeup in the mix, it's very effective. And he needs to do that against this left-handed-hitting lineup, and he did it."
Game One
Despite a few big swings from the Tides, Travis stood out with a 3-for-3 performance that included an RBI double.
Pawtucket starter Chandler Shepherd (L, 6-8) punched out seven (without a walk) in 5.1 innings of four-run work in which he yielded eight hits, including a pair of homers. Righty Marcus Walden added 1.2 innings of scoreless ball.
Norfolk starter Josh Rogers (W, 8-9), who was traded to Baltimore from the Yankees in the Zach Britton trade, spun five innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts against just one walk. Southpaw reliever Luis Gonzalez (S, 2) struck out three in two scoreless innings of one-hit work.
The Tides grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on an RBI single from first baseman Garabez Rosa.
Norfolk No. 3 hitter and former first-round pick D.J. Stewart blasted a 420-foot, two-run homer to center in the top of the third inning to widen the lead to 3-0.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Pawtucket second baseman Brandon Phillips singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI double stung by Travis.
Norfolk designated hitter Pedro Álvarez drilled a 408-foot solo homer in the top of the sixth inning to snatch that run back and restore the Tides' lead to three (4-1).
Game Two
The 23-year old Shawaryn (W, 2-0) fired Pawtucket's first complete game of the season, tossing seven shutout innings on just 84 pitches with six strikeouts, two hits and one walk.
Travis went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI single, and Pawtucket center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) added to his International League-leading hit total.
Norfolk starter John Means (L, 5-4) gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and three walks in five frames.
The PawSox claimed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI groundout from designated hitter Brandon Phillips that reeled in leadoff man Tony Renda.
Two innings later, Travis yanked an RBI single into left field, where Norfolk's outfielder made two errors to allow an additional run to score, stretching Pawtucket's lead to 3-0.
In the sixth, Castillo added to Pawtucket's lead by tagging an opposite-field RBI single to make it 4-0.
The PawSox continue their series against Norfolk on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. Pawtucket right-hander William Cuevas (8-6, 3.45) is scheduled to oppose Tides righty Luis Ortiz (1-0, 3.27). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 11:35 a.m.
Pawtucket's homestand runs Monday-Sunday (August 13-19), and good tickets are available. 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.