Carson Smith Rehabs in 9-2 Pawtucket Victory
August 10, 2017 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Mixed with a bout of early offense, four PawSox pitchers, including Red Sox rehabber Carson Smith, combined to thwart the Charlotte Knights, 9-2, on Tuesday night at McCoy Stadium.
The PawSox (56-59) scored three runs in the third and five more in the fourth to secure their second win in as many nights and ensure a series win against the Knights (46-69). Pawtucket has outscored Charlotte, 16-2, in the first two meetings of the three-game set.
Rehabbing Red Sox reliever Carson Smith, who only pitched in three games last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery, worked a scoreless seventh inning on just 13 pitches (six strikes). Smith induced a popup to first and a groundout to second on just three pitches, then issued a five-pitch walk before striking out Charlotte second baseman Ronald Bueno. His fastball sat at 91 MPH.
"He looked good," Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles said. "He said he felt good after his outing and that was a positive step in a positive direction. Good to see him get through a clean inning on 13 pitches - very impressive."
Fellow rehabbing reliever Ben Taylor (left intercostal strain) followed in the eighth and yielded an infield single and a walk before generating a 4-6-3 double play. Taylor, who has made 14 appearances over four stints in his rookie MLB season, threw 17 pitches (eight strikes) and sat 92-94 MPH with his fastball.
"His fastball command was off, left some pitches up, which is to be expected coming off an injury," Boles said. "He's another guy, said he felt good afterwards. We'll see how he checks in tomorrow. When guys are coming off the injuries, usually their command is a little bit suspect."
Prior to those rehab outings, PawSox starter Jalen Beeks (W, 5-4) piled up a six-pack of strikeouts across six innings of three-hit, one-run ball. The southpaw faced the minimum through three stanzas to begin the night, ceding just an infield single that was soon erased on a double-play ball.
"Beeks did his job," Boles said. "I thought he was pretty impressive. Had some swing and miss to his fastball, was able to spin a curveball, his cutter. He was pretty impressive - did a nice job."
A balanced Pawtucket offense backed up the pitching staff. Left fielder Brian Bogusevic (3-for-5, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B) has now hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, while designated hitter Bryce Brentz (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB), third baseman Matt Dominguez (2-for-5, 3 RBI), second baseman Heiker Meneses (2-for-4, RBI) and shortstop Deven Marrero (2-for-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB) rounded out another thorough showing.
Pawtucket roughed up Charlotte starter Tyler Danish (L, 3-12) to the tune of eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits across four innings.
The PawSox went to work in the third inning. Marrero walloped the first pitch of the frame to left-center field for a solo home run, and Dominguez and Meneses later followed with RBI base knocks to make it 3-0.
Marrero doubled in the bottom of the fourth and came around to score on a Charlotte error. Brentz then added to Pawtucket's lead with a two-run single to left-center, stretching the margin to 6-0. Moments later, Dominguez chopped a two-run base hit of his own over Charlotte's drawn-in defense and into left field to extend the lead to 8-0.
Charlotte inched back in the top of the fifth when catcher and No. 8 hitter Roberto Peî=B1a laced an RBI double into the left-field corner.
Pawtucket restored an eight-run lead, 9-1, in the bottom of the seventh when Bogusevic rapped an RBI double into right-center to plate catcher Jake Romanski, who led off the inning with a two-bagger of his own.
Knights right fielder Rymer Liriano drilled a solo homer in the ninth to cut the gap to 9-2.
The PawSox conclude the three-game series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at McCoy Stadium. PawSox right-hander Justin Haley (1-0, 2.67) is scheduled to oppose Knights righty Carson Fulmer (7-7, 5.56). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the PawSox Pre-Game Show at 6:35 p.m.
The seven-game homestand runs through Sunday (August 13). 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.
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