IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

RailRiders Rally in Ninth, Walk off on PawSox in 10th

Published on June 30, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


MOOSIC, Penn. - A strike away from a victory in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Pawtucket Red Sox ceded a two-run lead, as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders forced extras and walked off on the PawSox, 7-6, in 10 innings Saturday night at PNC Field.

With the PawSox (38-42) leading 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning, RailRiders shortstop Rey Navarro drilled a 2-2 pitch for a two-run, two-out homer to tie the game and force extras. After the PawSox bounced into a double play with runners at the corners in the top of the 10th inning, the RailRiders walked off in the home half of the frame when No. 9 hitter Francisco Diaz fisted an RBI single into center to win the second matchup of the three-game series and hand Pawtucket its fifth straight loss. The PawSox had previously been 5-1 in extra-innings games and hadn't previously worked overtime since May 14.

In his second game of the season at PNC Field, Pawtucket designated hitter Mike Ohlman (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB) again bashed two home runs for the second time here at the foothills of Montage Mountain. The powerful first baseman, who also went deep twice in this ballpark May 4, pulled back into a tie with corner infielder Mike Olt for the team lead in long balls (10).

PawSox left fielder Sam Travis (3-for-4, R, BB, two infield singles), shortstop Mike Miller (2-for-3, R, 2B, RBI) and second baseman Deiner Lopez (2-for-4, BB) also helped steer the offense to a 12-hit effort and a six-run output - Pawtucket's most during the losing skid.

Rehabbing Red Sox reliever Tyler Thornburg made his 18th rehab appearance and threw a perfect 1-2-3 inning on eight pitches (four strikes). All five of his fastballs were 93-94 MPH, and Thornburg started all three batters with curveballs. Thornburg generated a lineout to right-center, a groundout to second (where Lopez made a fine play) and a flyout to deep left field. Thornburg, who began his first rehab assignment exactly two months ago, is 25 days into his second rehab stint.

Pawtucket starter Josh D. Smith allowed two runs on six hits and two walks in four-plus innings but left with the trainer after throwing two pitches in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kyle Martin (BS) ceded two runs in the ninth, and closer Ryan Brasier (L, 2-5) allowed the automatic runner to score in the 10th.

Scranton starter Josh Rogers yielded four runs in five innings, and reliever J.P. Feyereisen (W, 4-2) fired 2.1 hitless innings.

The RailRiders climbed ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly and RBI double.

Pawtucket cut the deficit in half, 2-1, in the top of the third when center fielder Rusney Castillo grounded into a double play to score Miller from third.

The RailRiders extended their lead to 4-1 in the fifth on a homer from Ryan McBroom and a double-play groundball.

However, the PawSox tied the game the next inning. Ohlman led off by pulling his first homer to left field. Right fielder Ramon Flores later stroked an RBI single into right field, and Miller supplied a sacrifice fly to center to level the game 4-4.

In the seventh, Ohlman stroked a two-run, opposite-field homer to hand Pawtucket its first lead since Wednesday.

But in the ninth, the RailRiders tied the game on Navarro's homer, and Scranton walked off thanks to Diaz in the 10th.

The PawSox conclude their three-game weekend series and seven-game road trip Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Pawtucket right-hander Josh A. Smith (1-2, 10.97) is scheduled to oppose RailRiders righty David Hale (3-2, 4.20). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 12:35 p.m.

The PawSox then return to McCoy Stadium on July 2-3 (Monday-Tuesday) for the start of a holiday home-and-home series against the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins). 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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International League Stories from June 30, 2018


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