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IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

Eight-Run First Inning Propels PawSox in 12-2 Rout

May 11, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Bolstered by an explosive, eight-run first inning, the Pawtucket Red Sox throttled the Syracuse Chiefs, 12-2, with their best offensive performance of the season Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium.

The PawSox (16-16) sent 12 to the plate in the first inning, plated the eight runs on six hits, a Syracuse error and two walks and never looked back in leveling the four-game series with the Chiefs (16-16) at a game apiece. Pawtucket, which snapped a four-game losing skid, had scored just 10 runs total in the previous six games. The 12 runs broke the previous season high of 10, and the PawSox hadn't previously scored more than four runs in any inning.

Each of Pawtucket's nine starters recorded at least one hit, including shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin (2-for-6, 2 2B, 2 RBI), center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-4, 3 RBI), first baseman Jordan Betts (2-for-4, 2B, BB), left fielder Ramon Flores (3-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB) and third baseman Jantzen Witte (2-for-3, 2 BB), who all recorded multi-hit efforts. The PawSox also set a season high by working eight walks.

That, of course, proved to be plenty of support for a quartet of Pawtucket pitchers. Six days after he turned in the best start of his professional career, right-hander Chandler Shepherd (W, 2-2) followed up that seven-inning gem by tossing another five innings of one-run work in which he struck out three. The 25-year old Kentucky native, who made the offseason transition from reliever to starter, then gave way to Red Sox righty Steven Wright. After he threw six solid innings - on 88 pitches - out of the bullpen on Tuesday, Wright worked again and dealt a scoreless sixth inning in which he generated three groundouts with a double sandwiched between them. Righty Ty Buttrey (2 IP, 0 ER, 2 K) and southpaw Robby Scott (two strikeouts in the ninth) steered the squad to a safe landing.

Syracuse starter Austin Voth (L, 2-2) was tagged for eight runs (seven earned), used 36 pitches and only recorded one out.

The PawSox placed their first two aboard in the top of the first inning, and cleanup man Mike Olt delivered by blooping an RBI single to left field to plate Lin, who had reached on an error. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Flores poked an RBI single into right to double the lead to 2-0. On the very next pitch, De Jesus drilled a two-run double the opposite way to extend the lead to 4-0. Two pitches after that, catcher Dan Butler yanked a two-run single down the line to make it 6-0 and chase Voth. Lin then greeted reliever Chris Smith by depositing the first pitch he saw off the right-field wall for a two-run double.

Syracuse got on the board in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI groundout from designated hitter Irving Falu that cut the gap to 8-1.

Pawtucket got the run back in the top of the third inning when Castillo socked a sacrifice fly to right to score Witte.

The PawSox looked as if they may post another crooked number in the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out. That's when Flores skied a sacrifice fly to deep right field to stretch the margin to 10-1.

Yet again in the seventh inning, Pawtucket filled the bases. This time, Castillo stroked an RBI single into right field to reel in Witte.

The Chiefs scored their second run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on an infield single and Pawtucket error.

Pawtucket right fielder Aneury Tavarez tripled in the ninth - becoming the ninth starter to record a hit - and scored on a Castillo sacrifice fly to stamp the 12-2 demolition.

The PawSox continue their series against Syracuse on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. Pawtucket right-hander Justin Haley (1-4, 3.60 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Chiefs righty Erick Fedde (1-1, 4.55). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with PawSox Insider at 5:05 p.m.

The PawSox return home to McCoy Stadium May 14-16 (Monday-Wednesday) for a three-game series against the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays). 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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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.

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