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Game story: Red Sox score 21 runs in sweep of Chisox »
August 24, 2007
BY DAN HICKLING
Special to the Journal
BUFFALO -- When you’re locked into fourth place in the dying days of the season, you take the positives where you can find them.
For the Pawtucket Red Sox that would be the hitting streak, now up to a franchise record 20 games, compiled by Jacoby Ellsbury.
Ellsbury hit safely in both ends of the PawSox’ double-header with the Buffalo Bisons, staged at Dunn Tire Park in Buffalo.
The PawSox were blasted by Buffalo, 7-0 in the opener, but got even in the nightcap with a 7-4 win, their first over the Bisons in their last 11 tries.
Ellsbury enjoyed a big night, going 4-for-7, and swiping a base (his 32nd) to regain the sole lead in the International League.
After lacing a third inning single in Game 1 to tie the club mark that had been jointly held by Dave Stapleton and Dave Berg, Ellsbury knocked Jeff Harris’ first pitch of the nightcap into center field to establish the new standard.
In the opener, PawSox starter David Pauley (6-6) was tagged for all seven Bison runs, including six in the bottom of the fifth.
A fielding error by Jed Lowrie, who was making the first appearance at third base of his three year professional career, allowed two of those runs.
Pauley then gave up a two-run double to Andy Marte, the last man he faced before departing.
Pawtucket managed just five hits off Bison hurler John Koronka (3-3), who went the distance striking out six while walking one.
In the nightcap, the PawSox scored four runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead, then held on from there.
Starter Devern Hansack (9-7) while Travis Hughes picked up his 22nd save, extending his team record.
Although the PawSox have long since been out of the IL playoff picture, the club has been a key link in what has been a very vibrant Red Sox player development chain.
Having moved the likes of reliever Manny Delcarmen and starter Kason Gabbard (since traded) to the big leagues, skipper Ron Johnson and his staff were handed the likes of Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Dusty Brown, and Clay Buchholz, all of whom earned battlefield promotions from Double-A Portland during the year.
And under Johnson, all of the above continue to develop nicely.
''To have guys move up through the system is the goal,'' said Mike Hazen, Boston‘s Director of Player Development, while making the rounds of the club‘s affiliates. ''To see them make progress and improve, to the point that they’ve earned a promotion, is definitely satisfying. Those guys who have moved up, the Ellsburys, the Lowries, they’ve earned those promotions. So it’s extremely satisfying.''
Another of the midseason arrivals is right-handed reliever Lincoln Holdzkom, who has become a valuable set up man in the PawSox pen since his Ju;y 27 promotion.
Holdzkom, who was picked up by the Sox before the season after being waived by the Chicago Cubs, had allowed just one earned run in his previous eight outings, prior to last night.
''I just feel healthy now,'' said Holdzkom, who had never pitched above Double-A before arriving in Pawtucket.''It’s been a while since I’ve been on the DL. I‘d been out for the last two and half years with various (shoulder) injuries. It finally took until June for me to feel healthy. And health is of major importance. This is my first full season in about three years, and everything is finally paying off. If you’re not healthy, it’s hard to have confidence in your stuff. And if you have a lack of confidence, you’re going to pay the price.''
HERE AND THERE: Infielder Royce Clayton, who was signed Wednesday by Boston to a minor-league contract, made his PawSox’ debut in Game 1. If all goes well for Clayton, the 16-year big league veteran is a strong candidate for a September callup by the Bosox. Clayton takes the roster spot vacated when left-handed reliever Javy Lopez was called up by Boston …Meanwhile, LHP Jon Lester, who was optioned to Portland to make room for Lopez, will start for the Sea Dogs on Monday against Trenton. He would have been sent to Pawtucket, except that his next turn coincides with that of Clay Buchholz, who is scheduled to throw that day at Rochester.
Posted by Corey Bourassa 
at 11:08 PM to PawSox
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