Bullpen Thrives in 3-1 Loss to Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio - Despite nearly five full innings of dynamite relief work, the Pawtucket Red Sox fell to the Toledo Mud Hens, 3-1, on Thursday night in the series finale at Fifth Third Field.
The Mud Hens snatched an early lead in the second inning, but the PawSox (52-51) didn't allow a run after the fourth. Pawtucket's offense, however, left 10 runners aboard after scratching out nine hits.
In his first rehab outing with the PawSox and his third on this current assignment, left-handed starter Roenis Elías (right oblique strain) worked 3.1 innings on 60 pitches (38 strikes) and allowed three runs on five hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts. Right-hander Kyle Martin, in his first outing since making his MLB debut, followed with 2.2 scoreless innings of work in which he fanned two. Fellow righty Noé Ramirez then added two shutout frames.
Toledo starter Buck Farmer (W, 4-4) notched eight strikeouts in six innings of one-run ball, and veteran righty Edward Mujica (S, 11) dealt a 1-2-3 ninth.
PawSox center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-5, R), first baseman Sam Travis (2-for-3, BB) and third baseman Matt Dominguez (3-for-4) each recorded multi-hit efforts.
Toledo jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second when cleanup man Juan Perez led off the frame with a solo blast to left field. The Mud Hens then collected a pair of doubles, the second of which - from former Red Sox catcher Bryan Holaday - plated another run to make it 2-0.
In the fourth, the Mud Hens placed runners at second and third with one out, and No. 9 hitter Brendan Ryan lofted a sacrifice fly to center to make it 3-0.
Pawtucket loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning, and shortstop Heiker Meneses was hit by a tailing fastball to send Castillo home and trim the deficit to 3-1. With the bases still full, PawSox second baseman Mike Miller laced a ball toward right-center, but Perez made a tremendous diving stab to keep the Mud Hens in front.
Following the four-game series against the Mud Hens, Pawtucket continues its eight-game road trip Friday at 5:35 p.m. with a doubleheader against the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field. PawSox right-handers Marcus Walden and Shawn Haviland are the scheduled starters for the pair of seven-inning games. Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the PawSox Pre-Game Show at 5:05 p.m.
The PawSox return home Tuesday (August 1) to begin a three-game series through Thursday. 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.