IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

Rochester's Late Rallies Send PawSox to Another 10-Inn

Published on May 6, 2016 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher Joe Kelly
Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher Joe Kelly
(Pawtucket Red Sox)

(Pawtucket, RI) - The Rochester Red Wings rallied for four runs in the ninth and two in the 10th to erase a three-run deficit and defeat the Pawtucket Red Sox, 7-5, in the Friday night opener of a four-game series at McCoy Stadium.

James Beresford drew a bases-loaded walk against Pat Light (0-1) in the 10th inning that forced in the go-ahead run for the Red Wings (13-15). Heiker Meneses added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-5, which was more than enough for Rochester reliever Marcus Walden to close out the game with a perfect bottom of the 10th.

The loss was Pawtucket's (13-14) third 10-inning defeat in its last five games.

After both pitching staffs excelled at standing runners for most of the contest, both offenses heated up in the chilly weather over the final two-and-a-half frames.

The PawSox grabbed a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning, when Justin Maxwell ripped a two-run double off the left field fence. But the pair of insurance runs would not prove to be enough.

Roenis Elias, who entered the ninth inning having already tossed five scoreless frames for Pawtucket, allowed two singles and a walk to open up the ninth. With runners on first and second in a 4-2 game, James Beresford hit a line drive to left-center field. Rusney Castillo ranged to his left and was unable to cut off the ball, which allowed both Red Wings baserunners to cross home plate, tying the game at 4.

Buxton, who advanced to second on Castillo's error, took second on a deep flyball to right field and scored a wild pitch by Light to give Rochester a 5-4 lead.

A wild pitch would also even the score in the bottom of the ninth. Deven Marrero singled, swiped second and third base, and scored on Buddy Boshers' (1-0) wild pitch. Beresford then made a diving play at third base to throw out Rusney Castillo and send the game to extras.

It was the second time in three games that the PawSox tied the game down to their final strike but ultimately fell in the end.

Joe Kelly made his first start since Boston placed him on the 15-Day Disabled list with right shoulder impingement, taking the mound after a 46-minute rain delay. Kelly, who made three April starts for the big league club, allowed one run-a colossal leadoff home run over the left field fence for Byron Buxton (2)-in three innings of work.

"I felt really good, especially for the conditions out there," said Kelly. "My command was better than I thought it would be today."

Following Buxton's round-tripper, Kelly retired nine of the final 11 batters he faced in the 52-pitch outing.

"I wanted to test myself in the third inning knowing that it was my last inning," he said. "From a mental standpoint, my mind feels clear now that the pain and everything I was feeling is gone."

Despite six Pawtucket batters reaching base against Rochester starter Andrew Albers in the second and third innings, the Red Sox left five runners on base and did not score.

The PawSox jumped on the scoreboard in the fourth inning. Chris Marrero collected a leadoff single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a flyball and scored on Jantzen Witte's groundball to second base.

Pawtucket took the lead in the fifth inning when Marco Hernandez reached on a bunt single and came around to score on Sam Travis' bloop RBI double down the right field line.

Travis has a league-leading seven doubles since April 19, while Hernandez has reached base in all 17 games he has played for the PawSox this season.

Despite surrendering seven walks in his outing, Elias relieved Kelly and kept the Red Wings off the board until the ninth.

The PawSox continue their four-game series against Rochester with a doubleheader (two seven-inning games) at McCoy Stadium tomorrow evening beginning at 5:05 pm. Righthander William Cuevas (3-1, 3.76) is scheduled to start game one for Pawtucket against Rochester righthander David Martinez (1-1, 2.84). Radio coverage begins on WHJJ 920 AM and throughout the PawSox radio network at 4:35 pm.

Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.

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Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher Joe Kelly
Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher Joe Kelly
   



International League Stories from May 6, 2016


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