Six-Run Burst in Third Inning Powers PawSox to Win
July 27, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Backed by key swings from Rusney Castillo and Adam Lind, the Pawtucket Red Sox rode a monster six-run third inning to a 6-1 win over the Charlotte Knights on Friday night at McCoy Stadium.
The PawSox (47-55), who had lost eight of their previous nine games entering Friday's series opener, plated a half-dozen runs in the third to begin the three-game set with Charlotte (48-55) with a victory. Castillo and Lind combined to drive in five of those runs with their third-inning doubles.
Pawtucket leadoff man Tzu-Wei Lin (2-for-3, R, 2 BB), catcher Oscar Hernández (2-for-3, R, BB) and second baseman Mike Miller (2-for-3, R, BB) helped power the offense with multi-hit efforts. Over his last 17 games dating back to June 29, the 28-year old Miller boasts the best average in the entire International League, hitting .421 (24-for-57) with 10 of his 17 RBIs over that stretch.
PawSox starter Chandler Shepherd (W, 5-7) provided five steady innings of one-run work in which he only allowed three hits, worked around four walks and punched out four. Marcus Walden made his second appearance since coming off the Triple-A disabled list (right forearm inflammation) and tossed 1.2 scoreless innings with a pair of hits and walks. Right-handed long reliever Fernando Rodriguez Jr. (S, 2) dealt 2.1 hitless innings in total after entering a bases-loaded jam in the seventh. The 34-year old former big-league reliever has only ceded one earned run in his last 8.1 innings spanning four appearances.
Charlotte starter Jordan Stephens (L, 3-4) gave up six runs (all earned) on five hits and three walks across 2.2 innings.
Charlotte started the scoring in the top of the first inning on an RBI double from baseball's No. 3 prospect - according to MLB Pipeline - Eloy Jiménez, who ripped his two-bagger to the left-center wall with an exit velocity of 108 MPH.
Pawtucket responded in the third with its massive inning in which it sent 10 batters to the plate. The PawSox loaded the bases with one out, and third baseman Tony Renda coaxed a free pass to tie the game, 1-1. The next batter, center fielder Rusney Castillo, roped a bases-clearing double to the left-field wall to spring the PawSox in front, 4-1. Two batters later, first baseman Adam Lind sliced a two-run double down the left-field line to balloon the lead to five (6-1).
The PawSox continue their three-game series with Charlotte at McCoy Stadium on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. Pawtucket left-hander Josh D. Smith (5-5, 3.05) is scheduled to oppose Charlotte righty Asher Wojciechowski. Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with PawSox Insider at 4:45 p.m.
The homestand runs July 24-29 (Tuesday-Sunday). 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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