PawSox Top Tides, Take Series
Published on June 1, 2017 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
NORFOLK, Virginia - Héctor Velázquez fired six scoreless innings, and the Pawtucket Red Sox erupted for a six-run fifth inning to roll past the Norfolk Tides, 6-1, on Thursday night at Harbor Park.
The PawSox (23-25) sent all nine batters to the plate in the fifth inning to win the rubber match of the three-game series with the Tides (22-31). The six-run uprising in the fifth tied a PawSox season high for runs in any inning this season, matching a six-run third inning in the season opener. Pawtucket has now won seven of its last eight games.
Velázquez (W, 4-1) didn't allow a baserunner until the bottom of the fourth inning and, in total, only ceded three hits and a walk over his shutout stanzas. After generating enough innings to factor into International League rankings, the former Mexican League standout now has the second-best ERA (1.50) on the circuit among qualifying pitchers, behind only now-Twins starter Jose Berrios.
Following his three-hit, two-walk performance Wednesday, PawSox shortstop Ryan Court (2-for-5, 2 2B, RBI) recorded another multi-hit game. Court, who began the day ranked second on the team in OPS at .823, raised his team-leading average to .297. First baseman Jantzen Witte, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 with a double, notching his first multi-hit effort since May 3.
Sizzling Pawtucket right fielder Bryce Brentz (1-for-4) added a three-run home run in the fifth - picking up his fourth long ball and his 13th RBI in his last nine games.
PawSox reliever Edgar Olmos (S, 2), who spent the 2016 season with Norfolk before signing with Boston in the winter, added three innings of one-run ball to tally his second save.
Norfolk starter Tyler Wilson (L, 0-4) yielded just one hit through the first four innings but only recorded one out in the fifth after allowing six runs (five earned) in the frame.
After the teams combined for just three hits through the first four innings, the PawSox broke through in the fifth. After third baseman Matt Dominguez and Witte led off with consecutive singles, center fielder Rusney Castillo smashed a hanging breaking ball into left-center to make it 2-0 Pawtucket. Court then lifted an RBI double over the head of center fielder Logan Schafer to plate Castillo. Two batters later, Brentz mashed a three-run homer to left field to extend the advantage to 6-0.
Norfolk cracked the run column in the bottom of the seventh when third baseman Drew Dosch served a gentle RBI single into right-center to make it 6-1.
The PawSox begin a three-game series against Durham on Friday at 7:05 p.m. at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. PawSox left-hander Henry Owens (4-3, 2.98) is scheduled to start opposite Bulls righty Brent Honeywell (3-5, 4.93). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the PawSox Pre-Game Show at 6:35 p.m.
The PawSox return home for a seven-game homestand June 5-11 (Monday-Sunday). 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.
International League Stories from June 1, 2017
- the Bats Sweep the Braves, 3-2. - Louisville Bats
- Knights Fall to Chiefs in Thursday's Finale 8-4 - Charlotte Knights
- Pawtucket 6, Norfolk 1 - Norfolk Tides
- Brault's Arm, Wood's Pop Power Indians Past Pigs - Indianapolis Indians
- Pigs Blanked 5-0, Snap Series Winning Streak - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Bulls, Faria Fly Past Red Wings 6-3 - Durham Bulls
- Austin Homers in Loss - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Five-Run Fourth Leads Chiefs Past Knights - Syracuse Mets
- PawSox Top Tides, Take Series - Pawtucket Red Sox
- Indians Player of the Week (May 25-31): Austin Meadows - Indianapolis Indians
- Taylor, Dareus and Darby Confirmed for McCoy Celebrity Softball Game - Rochester Red Wings
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Durham Bulls
- Tweet, Post and Snap Your Way to Prizes at Bisons Social - Buffalo Bisons
- Bisons' Errors Prove Costly in 5-2 Loss - Buffalo Bisons
- Norfolk 9, Pawtucket 7 (11 Innings) - Norfolk Tides
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