IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

Shepherd Drives Pawtucket to 8-1 Win in Syracuse

Published on August 1, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Pawtucket Red Sox starter Chandler Shepherd dealt his best outing since June, and the offense surged late with a five-run ninth inning, as the PawSox thrashed the Syracuse Chiefs, 8-1, on Wednesday night at NBT Bank Stadium.

In the third game of the four-game series, the PawSox (49-58) and Chiefs (45-64) remained tied, 1-1, into what proved to be a lengthy and eventful seventh inning. In the top of the frame, Pawtucket right fielder Aneury Tavarez tucked a go-ahead solo homer inside the right-field foul pole to push the PawSox ahead 2-1. Shepherd returned for the bottom of the seventh and promptly recorded the first out, after which the tarp was brought onto the field. About 11 minutes later rain followed, and, in total, the delay lasted 37 minutes. When the game finally resumed, the PawSox added a run in the eighth and five in the ninth to grab their first win of the series and set up an opportunity for a split tomorrow night.

Shepherd (W, 6-7) - who did not return after the rain delay - tossed 6.1 innings of one-run work in which he punched out three, didn't issue a walk and needed only 81 pitches. In his 20th start of the season, the 25-year old right-hander delivered his longest outing since May 28th (seven innings against Lehigh Valley) and his best since June 17th (six shutout stanzas against the IronPigs in Pennsylvania on June 17). Left-hander Bobby Poyner continued to cruise and recorded the next five outs after the rain delay, while Robby Scott handled a scoreless ninth.

In his first game back with Pawtucket after another recent call-up to the Red Sox, leadoff man Tzu-Wei Lin (2-for-5, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI) picked up right where he left off. Third baseman Tony Renda (2-for-5, 2B, RBI) and first baseman Sam Travis (2-for-5, R, RBI) added multi-hit efforts as well.

Syracuse starter Kyle McGowin (L, 0-1) dueled with Shepherd and fired seven innings of two-run ball of his own. Austin Adams recorded one out and yielded five runs (all earned) on six hits.

Pawtucket struck first in the top of the first inning when Travis ripped an RBI single up the middle to score Lin, who began the ballgame with a double.

The Chiefs countered in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly from former Red Sox outfielder Alejandro De Aza.

Tavarez vaulted the PawSox ahead 2-1 with his solo jack in the seventh.

Following the rain delay in the eighth, Renda pounded an RBI double down the left-field line to score Lin and make it 3-1.

In the ninth, Pawtucket left fielder Kyle Wren started the onslaught with an RBI double. Right fielder Cole Sturgeon then laced an RBI single up the middle. Lin drove in a pair with a single and, three batters later, second baseman Brandon Phillips went the opposite way to drive in a run and make it 8-1.

The PawSox conclude their four-game series against Syracuse on Thursday at NBT Bank Stadium at 6:35 p.m. Pawtucket left-hander Josh D. Smith (6-5, 3.34) is scheduled to oppose Syracuse righty Brady Dragmire (1-5, 8.39). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 6:05 p.m.

The PawSox return home Friday-Sunday (August 3-5) to host the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins). Good tickets 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 August 1, 2018


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