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LaRoche Grand Slam Leads PawSox Over Yankees 9-7 in Series Opener

August 14, 2012 - International League (IL1)
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees News Release


Pawtucket, RI - The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees held a two game lead over the Pawtucket Red Sox heading into Tuesday night's series opener. Andy LaRoche made sure he brought his Red Sox to within one game of the Yankees with a grand slam in the top half of the fourth inning, as Pawtucket took the opener by a score of 9-7 at McCoy Stadium.

The Pawtucket offense wasted no time getting started by jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning. With one out in the inning Mauro Gomez provided some proof as to why he is one of the most dangerous hitters in the International League when he roped a two-run double, plating Jose Iglesias and J.C. Linares. The Red Sox offense exploded for seven runs in the top half of the fourth, extending their lead to 9-0. Reynaldo Rodriguez started the rally with a double to center. Rodriguez then scored on a sacrifice fly to right field, Linares then chipped in with an RBI single, but the majority of the PawSox runs in the inning came off of a Andy LaRoche grand slam over the left field wall.

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees responded with a five-run fourth to get within 9-5 of their International League foe. Ramiro Pena and Kevin Russo roped back-to-back RBI singles for the first two runs of the inning. Then, with one out in the inning Corban Joseph crushed a double to right field, bringing home Darnell McDonald and Pena. Russo then came around to score from third on an Eduardo Nunez groundout to shortstop. The Yankees got their final two runs in the home half of the eight, beginning with PawSox reliever Daniel Bard issued a bases loaded walk to Corban Joseph allowing Kosuke Fukudome to score from third making it a 9-6 ballgame. Nunez then sent a sacrifice fly out to left field allowing McDonald to score from third and bring Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to within 9-7.

Veteran right-hander John Maine suffered the loss for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He allowed nine runs on nine hits over four innings, while walking three and striking out two. Billy Buckner picked up the win for the PawSox allowing five runs on six hits, while walking three and striking out two over five innings on the bump.

The Yankees and PawSox continue a five game, four-day series with a double-header on Wednesday afternoon at McCoy Stadium. Daisuke Matsuzaka gets the start for the PawSox in game one, while Ramon Ortiz heads to the hill for the Yankees. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has yet to name a game two starter, while Pawtucket will send former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankee Nelson Figueroa to the mound in the second half of the twin bill. First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 PM.

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