« Game Story: Sox 7, Devil Rays 1
Main
Sox Streakers for July 28 »
July 27, 2007
TOLEDO , Ohio – The PawSox used a “bend-but-don’t-break” pitching performance to beat Toledo 4-2 and split this four-game series with the Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field.
Starter Clay Buchholz and relievers Craig Hansen, Edgar Martinez and Bryan Corey combined to limit the Hens to five hits, shutting out Toledo after the first inning.
The Mud Hens jumped in front when Henry Mateo drew a one-out walk against Buchholz, one of four he issued in four innings of work, and Timo Perez slammed a two-run homer to right, his 11th round-tripper of the season.
The Mud Hens had their chances, with the best coming in the third when they loaded the bases with none out off Buchholz. But the 22-year-old right-hander struck out Chris Shelton on three pitches, retired Brent Clevlen on a fly to shallow right, and got David Espinosa on a grounder down the first-base line.
Shelton led off the sixth with a double off Hansen but never left second as Hansen retired the Hens without incident.
In the seventh Mateo reached third when he drew a one-out walk from Martinez, stole second, then took third on a groundout before Martinez got Jack Hannahan to ground out and strand Mateo in third.
Toledo eventually stranded nine baserunners in the game and was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Hansen (3-1) earned the win with his two scoreless innings of relief, and Bryan Corey – a former Mud Hens – got the game’s final four outs to claim his second save in this series.
Pawtucket tied the game in the third by opening the inning with four straight hits. Alex Prieto led off with a single, the first of his three hits on the night, then moved to third on Brady Clark’s double off the wall in left.
Both runners came home when Jed Lowrie, who was promoted from Double-A Portland just before the game, singled down the right-field line.
Toledo starter Anastacio Martinez left the game at that point after suffering a blister on his right, or pitching, thumb, and reliever Jeremy Johnson gave up a single to the first batter he faced, David Murphy.
But the Red Sox didn’t score again as Johnson got Bobby Scales to hit a grounder to first, and Chris Shelton threw Lowrie out at the plate. Brandon Moss then struck out and Joe McEwing was retired on grounder back to the pitcher Johnson.
The PawSox took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the sixth. With one out McEwing singled off Johnson, and George Kottaras greeted Toledo reliever Vic Darensbourg by singling up the middle, moving McEwing to third.
Ed Rogers hit a slow roller down the third-base line and Jack Hannahan only was able to retire Rogers at first as McEwing scored and Kottaras took second. Prieto then added an insurance run by doubling high off the wall in left.
Clark was hit by a pitch from reliever Preston Larrison to put two runners on base, but Lowrie hit into a fielder’s choice to end the threat.
NOTES: Lowrie was one of two players the PawSox received from Portland before yesterday’s game. The other was RHP Lincoln Holdzkom, who was 4-1 with a save and a 3.47 ERA in 30 appearances for Portland. Lowrie hit .297 with eight home runs and 49 RBI in 93 games with the Sea Dogs. To make room for the pair of the roster the PawSox sent IF Zack Borowiak and RHP Barry Hertzler to Portland.
----JOHN WAGNER
Special to the Journal
Posted by Thom Cahir 
at 10:48 PM to PawSox
| Permalink
