Rodriguez's Outing, Marrero's Home Run Best IronPigs, 2-1
May 24, 2016 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez
(Pawtucket Red Sox)
(Pawtucket, RI) - Pawtucket Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez's outing was strong enough for an eighth-inning bloop and a blast to be all the support he needed in a 2-1, homestand-opening victory over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Tuesday night at McCoy Stadium.
With the PawSox (22-23) trailing 1-0 with two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the eighth inning, Sam Travis flared a base hit into center field against Lehigh Valley reliever Frank Herrmann (0-1). The next batter, Chris Marrero blasted a pitch through the cool air into Pawtucket's bullpen for a game-winning home run (9).
"[Herman] left a pitch up, I put a good swing on it and I'm glad I was able to help the team receive a win," said Marrero.
Marrero's seven home runs in May are tied for the most in the International League.
The PawSox only trailed by a run entering the bottom of the ninth thanks to their rehabbing starter who took the mound for the first time in 10 days.
Rodriguez struck out seven batters and walked none in seven innings one-run ball, his best start of the season.
Rodriguez did not toss more than six innings or record more than three strikeouts in any of his first four starts. He also allowed three runs in each of those starts.
"Today was a step forward," said manager Kevin Boles. "He looks more comfortable, the delivery has better pace and rhythm to it, and it looked like he was more athletic on the mound."
Following a 29-minute rain delay, the lefthander set down the IronPigs (24-20) in order in three of the first four innings and then finished his outing with a flourish as well.
After an Andrew Knapp single led off the seventh inning, Rodriguez struck out the final two hitters he faced. He caught Cam Perkins looking and after Cedric Hunter whiffed on Rodriguez's 102nd and final pitch of the night, Sandy Leon threw out Knapp attempting to steal second base, sealing Rodriguez's outing.
Rodriguez's lone blemish came in the fifth inning. Perkins led off the frame by clocking a long home run (2) over the wall in left center field. All three of the earned runs Rodriguez has allowed in his last two starts have come via solo homers.
Anthony Varvaro (2-1) delivered a scoreless eighth inning for his second win of the season and Pat Light earned the save in the ninth.
The IronPigs put two men on base with one out in the ninth, but Light induced a fly out from Hunter and struck out Darnell Sweeney to end the game.
Pawtucket's offense was held in check for the first seven innings thanks to another dominating effort by IronPigs starter Zach Eflin. He allowed only four hits and struck out six.
Eflin threw seven scoreless innings for his second straight start. In fact, the righthander has tossed 17 consecutive shutout innings dating to May 13.
The PawSox will play game two of their three-game series with Lehigh Valley tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Lefthander Roenis Elias (1-3, 4.96) will look to follow up last week's 13-strikeout performance for Pawtucket against IronPigs righty David Buchanan (2-2, 3.92). Radio coverage begins on WHJJ (920 AM) and throughout the PawSox radio network at 6:35 p.m.
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 Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez |
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