Devers Homers in Pawtucket's Shutout Win
September 1, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
MOOSIC, Penn. - Rafael Devers smacked a two-run homer in a three-run fifth inning for the Pawtucket Red Sox, who blanked the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 3-0, on Saturday evening at PNC Field.
Following a 3-1 loss Friday in the opener of the four-game, season-ending, home-and-home series, the PawSox (66-71) responded Saturday night to level the series with the RailRiders (71-65). Four Pawtucket pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout.
After scheduled starter William Cuevas was called up to Boston with the expanded big-league rosters, Pawtucket left-hander Josh D. Smith made a spot start and fired four shutout innings of three-hit ball in which he struck out two and didn't issue a walk. From there, young right-hander Travis Lakins (W, 1-0) tossed two scoreless stanzas and lowered his Triple-A ERA to 1.65. Fellow righty Fernando Rodriguez Jr. sailed through a 1-2-3 seventh inning and maneuvered out of a bases-loaded bind in the eighth. Sinkerballer Marcus Walden (S, 2) earned his second save of the season in the ninth.
Rehabbing Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers went 1-for-4 with his two-run jack and played all nine innings at third. Pawtucket shortstop Mike Miller continued his second-half surge with a hit and two walks out of the leadoff spot.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre starter Nestor Cortes (L, 6-6) ceded three runs in five innings with a half-dozen strikeouts.
The PawSox struck for all three runs in the top of the fifth inning. After catcher Dan Butler doubled and right fielder Aneury Tavarez dropped down a bunt single, Butler later scored on a 4-6-3 double-play ball to make it 1-0. Following a Miller walk, Devers went deep to triple the lead to 3-0.
Following their final road trip of the season, the PawSox now head home to McCoy Stadium for the final two games of 2018 - beginning Sunday at 6:15 p.m. against Scranton. Pawtucket right-hander Josh A. Smith (5-5, 4.16) is slated to start opposite RailRiders righty Adonis Rosa (2-1, 3.71). The game will be televised live 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 5:45 p.m.
The PawSox conclude the season Sunday (6:15 p.m.) and Monday (1:35 p.m.) at McCoy Stadium. Good tickets 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.
International League Stories from September 1, 2018
- Vladdy's Three Hits Not Enough as Bisons Fall, 6-1 - Buffalo Bisons
- Hens Blank Clippers, Take West Division Lead - Toledo Mud Hens
- Indians Best Bats in Home Finale, 5-2 - Indianapolis Indians
- Four-Run First Jumps Chiefs Past Herd Saturday - Syracuse Mets
- Bulls Mount Late Rally to Defeat Tides 12-9 - Durham Bulls
- Bats Drop Final Road Game of Season, 5-2 - Louisville Bats
- Pigs Take Third Straight - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- RailRiders Dealt 3-0 Blow - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Marte's Hit Decides Stripers' 2-1 Win vs. Charlotte - Gwinnett Stripers
- 'Pigs Edge Wings 2-1 - Rochester Red Wings
- Devers Homers in Pawtucket's Shutout Win - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Knights Fall to Stripers 2-1 on Saturday - Charlotte Knights
- Louisville Bats Notes: September 1 - Louisville Bats
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (71-66) vs. Louisville Bats (60-74) - Indianapolis Indians
- LHV Game Notes 9-1 - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Saturday, September 1, 2018 - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo at Syracuse (7:05 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Mike King Earns I.L. Honors for August - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Final 3 Games of 2018 Packed with Promos - Rochester Red Wings
- Michael King Honored as International League Player of the Month - IL1
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.
