PawSox Top Indians in 11 Innings 4-3

The Pawtucket Red Sox scored the go ahead on an RBI single by Bobby Kielty in the top of the 11th inning and held on to defeat the Indianapolis Indians this afternoon at Victory Field 4-3. The win is the second for the PawSox on their current 8-game road trip and it snapped the Indians' five game winning streak.

The PawSox (8-6) came from behind twice in the game to tie the score. They were trailing 2-0 in the top of the fourth when George Kottaras tied the game with a two run homer to right. After the PawSox fell behind again in the fifith, Kielty tied the score on a long triple to right in the seventh.

The PawSox banged out 12 hits in the game. They were led by 2B Jeff Natale, who made his PawSox debut a memorable one, going 3 for 5 with a double, a triple, and a run scored. Natale was called up from Portland to fill the spot vacated by Joe Thurston, who had his contract purchased by Boston earlier today.

Kottaras went 2 for 5 for the PawSox and raised his average to .286. He is now among the league leaders in homers (4) and RBI's (12).

The PawSox bullpen again proved to be the difference in this game, turning in 6 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Craig Hansen led the relief corps, pitching two scoreless innings today and raising his scoreless innings streak this season to 9 1/3. When you take into account his scoreless streak to end 2007, Hansen has pitched over 24 innings without giving up an earned run.

Edgar Martinez, Lee Gronkiewicz, and Eric Hull also pitched flawless, giving up only three hits combined while striking out 8. Hull pitched the final two innings to pick up the win.

Abe Alvarez started the game for the PawSox in place of Davern Hansack, who was placed on the disabled list with a contusion on his right arm. Alvarez pitched 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs. Kyle Snyder made his PawSox debut in the third and surrendered the other Indians' run.

Lefty Sean Burnett took the loss in relief for the Indians (10-4).

The teams play game three of the four game set tomorrow night at 7:00pm with Michael Tejera (0-1, 4.50) on the mound for Pawtucket opposed by Bryan Bullington (0-1, 3.71) for the Indians.

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