IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

Wright Works Six Innings in 4-1 Loss to IronPigs

Published on May 8, 2018 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


ALLENTOWN, Penn. - Steven Wright delivered six steady innings out of the bullpen, but the Lehigh Valley IronPigs stifled the Pawtucket Red Sox, 4-1, on Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park.

Right-handed starter Steven Wright made his third appearance with the PawSox overall and entered the game in the third inning in a piggyback role. Wright, who is currently serving a 15-game suspension but is allowed to pitch with an affiliate (for a duration not to exceed six days when the suspension is between 10 and 20 games) under MLB's Collective Bargaining Agreement, allowed just one run in six innings, scattering eight hits, walking one and fanning one. Wright allowed a run in the third, generated double plays in both the fourth and fifth innings and stranded four over his final three stanzas.

The IronPigs (16-14) scored in each of the first three innings to build a 4-0 advantage, and the PawSox (15-14) only recorded four hits before stirring in the ninth inning, when they grabbed a run on two hits and brought the tying run to the plate for the second consecutive night. Following a three-game winning streak, Pawtucket has now dropped two in a row to begin this three-game series, and the offense has been held to six total runs in the last four games.

Pawtucket starter Marcus Walden made just his second Triple-A appearance (and first start) of the season. The right-handed sinkerballer allowed three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings, walked three and struck out one. Left-hander Robby Scott replaced him and finished the second inning without further damage before Wright took over.

Lehigh Valley starter Brandon Leibrandt (W, 2-0) tossed five shutout innings, only gave up three (official) hits and has now thrown 23 consecutive scoreless frames to begin his season. Relievers Jake Thompson, Tom Windle, Ranfi Casimiro and Pedro Beato (S, 9) finished the win.

Lehigh Valley loaded the bases on three walks in the bottom of the first inning, and an RBI groundout from right fielder Dylan Cozens established a 1-0 lead.

In the second, IronPigs No. 9 hitter Alexi Amarista jumped on the first pitch he saw and yanked an RBI double into the right-field corner to double the lead to 2-0. Two batters later, center fielder Collin Cowgill supplied an RBI groundout to make it 3-0.

The IronPigs stretched the lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the third when Cozens reached on an infield single, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored on an RBI groundout.

Pawtucket awoke in the top of the ninth inning, as first baseman Mike Olt reached on a two-base error and left fielder Ramon Flores singled. That put runners at the corners for catcher Dan Butler, who lifted a sacrifice fly to left-center field to trim the deficit to 4-1. Right fielder Aneury Tavarez then singled to bring the tying run to the plate, but Beato secured the victory.

The PawSox conclude their series against Lehigh Valley on Wednesday at 10:35 a.m. Pawtucket left-hander Jalen Beeks (2-1, 1.71 ERA) is scheduled to oppose IronPigs righty Enyel De Los Santos (3-0, 1.07). Radio coverage on WHJJ (920 AM and 104.7 FM) and throughout the PawSox Radio Network begins with the pre-game show at 10:05 a.m.

The PawSox return home to McCoy Stadium May 14-16 (Monday-Wednesday) for a three-game series against the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays). 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.

Check out the Pawtucket Red Sox Statistics

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International League Stories from May 8, 2018


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