IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

Sturgeon Homers Twice in 4-2 Win in Durham

Published on June 3, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


DURHAM, N.C. - For the first time in his professional career, Cole Sturgeon smacked a pair of home runs to lead the Pawtucket Red Sox to a 4-2 win over the Durham Bulls on Sunday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

After dropping the first two games of the three-game weekend series, Pawtucket (25-29) never trailed in salvaging Sunday's finale and cementing a fourth win to close out the six-game road trip against two of the top teams in the International League.

In the 457th game of his professional career, Sturgeon bookended the victory with a solo homer in the first and another in the ninth - his first two Triple-A homers. The 26-year old from Owensboro, Kentucky, is two months into the best season of his professional career. Sturgeon mashed in 31 games with Double-A Portland to begin the season, ranking second in the Eastern League in hits (46) at the time of his promotion (on May 14), trailing only Blue Jays wunderkind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. In his last 10 games with the PawSox now, Sturgeon is 11-for-37 (.297) with four extra-base hits and six walks. A former two-way star at Louisville, Sturgeon was drafted by the Red Sox in 2014 in the 10th round.

Along with Sturgeon, PawSox center fielder Rusney Castillo provided a jolt to the offense, going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a single, an RBI and a flyout to the warning track in straightaway center field.

Pawtucket starter Justin Haley (W, 3-6) gave up just one run in 5.1 innings, continuing a great stretch of starting pitcher from the PawSox over the last eight games. Haley did give up 10 hits, though three were a product of plays not made defensively. The 26-year old right-hander struck out a pair and didn't issue a free pass.

Haley departed in the sixth inning and gave way to southpaw Robby Scott, who worked on consecutive days for the first time this season and got the last two outs of the frame. Left-hander Williams Jerez ceded a run in the seventh, but righty Kyle Martin took over and stranded the would-be tying run at second with a punchout. Stud reliever Ryan Brasier (S, 6) earned the five-out save and lowered his ERA to 2.00.

Rehabbing Rays right-hander Yonny Chirinos allowed a run in four innings and struck out four without a walk. Righty Forrest Snow (L, 2-4) then surrendered a pair of runs in three innings on three hits and three walks.

Sturgeon handed the PawSox an early 1-0 lead when he drilled a solo homer to right-center field - his first career Triple-A long ball - in the top of the first.

Durham tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the second on an RBI groundout after the Bulls led off the frame with a triple on a ball that dropped into deep center field.

In the top of the fifth, Pawtucket shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin dropped a bunt single up the third-base line, and an errant Durham throw to first allowed Pawtucket second baseman Mike Miller to come all the way around and score to push the PawSox in front, 2-1. Two batters later, Castillo hammered an RBI double off the center-field wall to plate Lin and double Pawtucket's lead to 3-1.

Durham placed runners at the corners with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh and pulled within one, 3-2, on a hard-hit groundout to short.

In the ninth, Sturgeon provided insurance when he obliterated a no-doubt solo homer to deep right field.

With their six-game road trip in the books, the PawSox will enjoy a rare off day Monday before returning to action Tuesday against the Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds) at McCoy Stadium at 6:15 p.m. PawSox left-hander Jalen Beeks (3-3, 2.56) is scheduled to oppose Bats lefty Cody Reed (0-4, 4.63). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 5:45 p.m.

The six-game homestand will run through Sunday. 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 3, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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