IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

Shepherd, Bullpen Combine on Five-Hit Shutout

Published on May 5, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Chandler Shepherd turned in his best professional start and the longest outing by a Pawtucket Red Sox pitcher this season, as he powered the PawSox to a 2-0 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders on Saturday night on Evil Empire Weekend at McCoy Stadium.

Donning their Osos Polares jerseys on Cinco De Mayo, three PawSox pitchers - Shepherd, Red Sox reliever Tyler Thornburg and left-hander Robby Scott - combined on a five-hit shutout and ensured at least a split in the four-game, home-and-home series. A year after they led the International League in shutout victories, the PawSox notched their second of the 2018 season.

As he continues his evolution from a reliever to a starter, Shepherd (W, 1-2) made his fifth start of the season and fired seven shutout innings, using just 87 pitches. The 25-year old right-hander fanned five, only allowed five baserunners (four hits, a hit batter and no walks) and retired 12 of the final 13 batters he faced. The former Kentucky Wildcat had allowed at least three runs in each of his first four starts but cruised Saturday, not walking a batter for the first time this season.

Red Sox reliever Tyler Thornburg made his third rehab appearance on the road back from last summer's surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. The 29-year old allowed only a one-out single in an otherwise clean inning, throwing 13 pitches (nine fastballs and four curveballs), nine of which were strikes. Thornburg got a flyout to shallow right field, surrendered a single to top Yankees prospect Clint Frazier, dropped in a beautiful curveball for a swinging strikeout and induced longtime big leaguer Adam Lind to fly out to left field. Across his three outings, Thornburg has given up just an unearned run in 2.2 innings on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

Scott (S, 1) stamped the victory with a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 2.53.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Josh Rogers (L, 2-3) labored through 4.1 innings, walking five and using 94 pitches. The southpaw surrendered four hits, including the homer to Olt, and struck out five while ceding one run.

Pawtucket designated hitter Mike Olt blasted a solo homer to left field to lead off the bottom of the second inning and prop up the PawSox to a 1-0 lead.

The PawSox worked a pair of one-out walks in the bottom of the fifth inning, and first baseman Jordan Betts delivered an RBI single to left-center to plate catcher Mike Ohlman and double the lead to 2-0.

The PawSox conclude the four-game, home-and-home series with the RailRiders on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. at McCoy Stadium. Pawtucket right-hander Justin Haley (0-4, 4.32 ERA) is scheduled to oppose RailRiders lefty Justus Sheffield. The game will be broadcast on myRITV, and radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 1:05 p.m.

Sunday's weekend is part of the "Evil Empire Weekend" during which fans named Joe or Kelly will be admitted for free, while fans self-identifying as Tylers or Austins will be banned from the premises. 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.

Check out the Pawtucket Red Sox Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



International League Stories from May 5, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central