Three PawSox Pitchers Combine on Shutout, 2-0 Win
July 1, 2018 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
MOOSIC, Penn. - Forced into different roles and tasked with halting a losing streak, three Pawtucket Red Sox pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout, as the PawSox blanked the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon with a heat index above 100 degrees at PNC Field.
Right-handers Josh A. Smith (5 IP, 3 H), Trevor Kelly (2 perfect innings) and Fernando Rodriguez Jr. (two-inning save) turned in one of the best joint pitching performances of the season for the PawSox (39-42), who snapped their five-game losing skid and salvaged the finale of the three-game series with the RailRiders (40-40).
Smith (W, 2-2), who hadn't started a game since a 1.2-inning outing 2.5 weeks ago at Lehigh Valley, tossed five sterling innings of three-hit work with five strikeouts and no walks. Coincidentally, the 30-year old from Florida earned wins in both games during the road trip, working out of the bullpen Monday in Buffalo and making the spot start Sunday. Kelly, meanwhile, arrived within two hours of first pitch Sunday after he was promoted from Double-A Portland when the PawSox used five pitchers in Saturday's extra-innings loss. All the sidearmer from North Carolina did Sunday was buzz through his two perfect frames with a pair of strikeouts. Kelley then handed off the lead to Rodriguez, who had most recently made an emergency spot start Tuesday when the Red Sox summoned Justin Haley hours before their series opener with the Angels at Fenway. So after starting a game Tuesday, Rodriguez saved a win five days later by punching out a pair in a 1-2-3 ninth - his second stanza of work - en route to just his second professional save in the last seven seasons.
PawSox designated hitter Sam Travis (2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) followed up Saturday's three-hit effort with another multi-hit performance, headlined by a two-run long ball to straightaway center field - his first homer since late May. Right fielder Cole Sturgeon (2-for-3) added a pair of singles as well.
RailRiders starter Brody Koerner (L, 1-3) ceded two runs in four innings.
With Pawtucket first baseman Mike Ohlman aboard following a one-out walk in the top of the fourth inning, Travis smashed his blast over the 408-foot marker in center field and lifted the PawSox to a 2-0 lead.
Following the seven-game road trip, the PawSox now return to McCoy Stadium and will open up a two-game stint at home against the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins) on Monday at 6:15 p.m. with an Independence Day fireworks extravaganza to follow. Rehabbing Red Sox left-hander Drew Pomeranz is slated to make a rehab outing opposite Red Wings right-hander Zack Littell (1-3, 3.00). The game will be televised live on YurView on COX, and 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 two-game holiday stint is annually one of the biggest events at McCoy Stadium. Limited 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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