Chiefs Cling to 4-2 Victory Over PawSox
August 23, 2011 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
In a season that has been filled with many twists at McCoy Stadium, Tuesday night had all the makings of another thrilling, walk-off ending, but instead the 9,602 in attendance on a crisp late-summer night in Rhode Island were sent home with a 4-2 loss to the Syracuse Chiefs.
The Pawtucket offense was no match for Syracuse's pitching for most of the night, but a late offensive surge nearly materialized into a ninth-inning comeback after three hits to load the bases to begin the inning. Syracuse pitching retired 16 straight PawSox from the third through the eighth inning before Lars Anderson, Hector Luna and Will Middlebrooks rattled-off three straight hits in the ninth.
Josh Wilkie entered in the ninth for Syracuse with a 4-2 lead, and after loading the bases with no outs he had to face Brett Carroll who was already 1-for-3 in the game. Wilkie had no one warming in the bullpen behind him, and he had no visit coming from his pitching coach despite being in a jam.
Carroll struck out on three pitches for the first out of the inning bringing up catcher Luis Exposito. Exposito rocketed a short-hop grounder down to third base, but it was dug out by Matt Antonelli. Antonelli pivoted, fired to second base to force Middlebrooks out and second baseman Steve Lombarozzi had plenty of time to turn and make the throw to first base to nail the chugging Exposito for the final out of the ballgame.
Wilkie earned his 12th save of the season.
For a second time in as many starts for Pawtucket, Alex Wilson earns the no-decision. He allowed five hits and two runs in four innings- leaving with the game tied 2-2. He danced in-and-out of trouble for most of his outing, stranding eight Syracuse base-runners in the first four frames.
With the loss Pawtucket drops the series after losing 3-of-4 to the Chiefs. The series snapped a seven-week, 12 series unbeaten streak in which they were 8-0-4 since dropping two of three to the Scranton Wilkes-Barres Yankees July 2-3.
The PawSox and Syracuse Chiefs no sooner finish off a four-game series in Pawtucket before piling in their respective busses and head to Syracuse to begin a two-game set in upstate New York. Pawtucket will send Greg Smith (4-3, 4.45 ERA) to the mound against Syracuse's staff ace Tom Milone (10-6, 3.43 ERA). It will be Smith's second start for Pawtucket after allowing one run in seven innings Friday against Columbus. First pitch from Alliance Bank Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
International League Stories from August 23, 2011
- Tides Comeback to Beat Bulls in 13 - Durham Bulls
- Chiefs Cling to 4-2 Victory Over PawSox - Pawtucket Red Sox
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