PawSox Complete the Sweep of the Iron Pigs

PAWTUCKET- The Pawtucket Red Sox received another strong team performance in their 5-2 victory over the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs this afternoon at McCoy. The win gave the PawSox a four game sweep over the Iron Pigs and improved their record to 6-2, tops in the IL North. Lehigh Valley has now started its inaugural season at 0-8.

PawSox starter David Pauley recorded many hard outs in his four and a third innings of work. Still he faired well, giving up only one run on a home run by Iron Pigs catcher Jason Jaramillo in the top of the fourth. He finished the game giving up five hits, two walks and one strikeout. He threw a total of 74 pitches, 43 for strikes

Pauley, along with all the PawSox starters, are having their pitches limited to start the season.

“There’s more concern for the quality of the outing then worrying about sending a pitcher out to hold on to a 2-1 lead” said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson, “I’m a firm believer of everything we do in this organization and it’s proven to be correct in the usage of (the pitchers)”

“It’s one of those things you have to battle with this early in the season” said Pauley, The last thing you want to do is come out of a game when you’re on the hook or when you’re in line for a win.”

RHP Lincoln Holdzkom relieved Pauley and had a shaky sixth inning, although he did not yield a run. He gave up a lead-off double to RF Valentino Pascucci. After getting the next two Iron Pig batters out, he walked LF TJ Bohn and SS Gookie Dawkins to load the bases. He battled out of the jam on a broken bat pop-up to short by Brandon Watson. For his effort Holdzkom was awarded the win to improve his record to 2-0.

Abe Alvarez came in and pitched two scoreless innings, retiring all six batters he faced. Dan Kolb gave up the other Iron Pig run in the ninth. Jon Switzer came in to quell any late Iron Pigs rally and took home the save.

“I have confidence in every one of them”. Johnson said of his bullpen, “They’re coming in and throwing strikes.”

The PawSox wasted little time in getting on the board in the bottom of the first. After Gil Velazquez led off with a strikeout, George Kottaras laced a double down the right field line. Jed Lowrie followed up with a double of his own, over the head of Pascucci, scoring Kottars. After Chris Carter grounded out to first, Brandon Moss drove in Lowrie with a single to center.

The PawSox got two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on Jonathan Van Every’s two run homer, his third of the season, deep into the right field picnic area.

The PawSox’ final tally came in the bottom of the seventh when Van Every drove in his third run of the game on a single to right to drive in Dusty Brown who had reached base with a double.

Carter was held hitless for the first time this season, putting an end to his seven game hitting streak. Moss, Van Every and Brown each ended the day two for three.

Iron Pigs starter Brian Mazone (0-2) took the loss, but at times showed signs of brilliance, striking out ten PawSox batters despite giving up four runs. One other positive note for Lehigh Valley was every starter got a hit in the losing effort.

The PawSox will now embark on their first road trip of the season, playing four games in Louisville against the Bats before heading to Indianapolis to play four with the Indians. The PawSox return home Saturday, April 19th against the Buffalo Bisons.

BOX SCORE