Butler Powers PawSox Past Clippers, 6-4
June 30, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
Dan Butler of the Pawtucket Red Sox
(Pawtucket Red Sox)
(Pawtucket, RI) - Dan Butler's home run and four RBI lifted the Pawtucket Red Sox past the Columbus Clippers, 6-4, in the opener of a four-game, holiday-weekend series at McCoy Stadium on Thursday night.
The beginning of the game featured back-and-forth action as the two teams scored in five of the first six half-innings.
The Clippers (43-38) used three first-inning singles that culminated in Jesus Aguilar's RBI knock against Pawtucket starter William Cuevas to get on the board first.
The PawSox (42-39) responded with Henry Ramos' sacrifice fly against Columbus starter Will Roberts (6-6) in the bottom of the frame to tie the game, 1-1.
Yhoxian Medina hammered a ball over the left field fence in the top of the second for a 2-1 Clippers advantage.
Pawtucket again responded in the bottom of the inning with Butler's game-tying, line-drive single into left and Henry Ramos' second sacrifice fly in as many frames.
The PawSox increased their 3-2 lead to 6-2 on one swing of the bat in the third. After a walk, a single and two stolen bases, Butler stepped to the dish with two runners in scoring position and two outs.
He drilled a three-run home run (2) into Pawtucket's bullpen.
"He's been terrific and he keeps himself ready," said maanger Kevin Boles. "He's done a nice job as far as handling the staff but the offensive production has definitely ticked up here."
Butler is hitting .377 (20-for-53) in June.
Cuevas only lasted three innings and threw 48 pitches because he was on a pitch count following his two relief appearances with Boston last weekend. He retired the final four batters he faced, fanning three of them.
Once both starting pitchers departed after three innings, each bullpen excelled for the remainder of the game.
Roman Mendez (4-2) tossed four scoreless innings, his longest outing since he was a starting pitcher in the lower levels of the minor leagues in 2012.
Noe Ramirez closed out the game, allowing two runs in two innings of work.
He allowed a two-run home run that narrowly flew over the left center field fence to Aguilar in the eighth inning. Aguilar's 16 long-balls this season are tied with Scranton's Aaron Judge for the league lead.
The home run snapped Ramirez's scoreless streak at fourteen innings.
Ramirez got his revenge in the ninth inning when he struck out Aguilar with the bases loaded to end the game.
The PawSox also used great defense to support their pitchers.
Rusney Castillo made a terrific running catch on to the warning track in center field to end the top of the seventh, while Castillo and Jose Vinicio executed a terrific relay play to gun down Giovanny Ushela to end the top of the sixth.
In the victory, Deven Marrero scored a pair of runs and Aneury Tavarez recorded two hits for his first multi-hit game in Triple-A this season.
The PawSox continue their holiday-weekend series against the Clippers tomorrow at a special start time of 6:15 p.m. Pawtucket lefthander Henry Owens (5-4, 3.69) is scheduled to take the mound against Columbus righty Toru Murata (4-1, 3.56). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox radio network begins at 5:45 p.m.
Each of the three remaining contests this weekend will feature a post-game fireworks shows. Good seats for the games are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office; call (401) 724-7300 or visit pawsox.com to get your tickets today.
Images from this story
 Dan Butler of the Pawtucket Red Sox |
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