Game 51- Red Wings vs. PawSox, May 25, 2008

It's going to be a great night to watch baseball as the PawSox and the Rochester Red Wings complete their 4 game series tonight (6:05pm) at McCoy. The PawSox have taken two of the first three games of this series and will send RHP Clay Buchholz (NR) to the mound against LHP Brian Duensing (2-4, 3.61 ERA) for the Red Wings.

Here is a preview from the press box...

Rochester Red Wings (19-31)

LINE-UP

Chris Basak 1B
Tommy Watkins 2B
Sergio Santos SS
Brian Buscher 3B
Darnell McDonald LF
Garrett Jones RF
Randy Ruiz DH
Jose Morales C
Jason Pridie CF

Duensing makes his 11th start of the season. Last time out he received a no decision in Rochester's 7-6 win over the Syracuse Chiefs. In that game he threw 5 innings, surrendering three runs on six hits. His last decision came on May 4th, a loss at Toledo. His last vistory came on April 24 against Lehigh Valley.

Catcher Jose Morales enters the game with an eight game hitting streak, batting .452 with two doubles and four RBI's over that stretch.

Pawtucket Red Sox (30-20)

LINE-UP

Jeff Bailey LF
Keith Ginter 2B
Joe Thurston RF
Chris Carter DH
Brandon Moss 1B
Dusty Brown C
Chad Spann 3B
Gil Velazquez SS
Sean Danielson CF

The PawSox begin the day in second place in the IL North, 1.5 games behind Scranton Wilkes/ Barre. With a win the PawSox be only one game back with the Yankees coming to McCoy for a four game series beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Buchholz begins a 30 day rehab assignment with the PawSox tonight. This will be his first start since he was placed on the 15-day DL with a broken nail on his right middle finger suffered in his start against the Twins May 12th in Minnesota.

Buchholz will be limited to 4 innings or a maximum of 65 pitches.

"There's no expectations." said PawSox Manager Ron. Johnson, "He needs to get in there and get his work in. He's 100% with his finger."

Johnson said after tonight's start he will be re-evaluated by the Red Sox in consultation with the PawSox staff.

Johnson also gave the media an update on the injured PawSox. Relievers Lee Gronkiewicz and Lincoln Holdzkom are making progress although no decisions have been made on their return. Gronkiewicz has been on the disabled list since May 1st with a right forearm strain. Holdzkom was placed on the DL on May 17th with a right bicep strain.

The team is taking it slow with Jed Lowrie, who has been hobbled with a sore left wrist. Johnson said if need be Lowrie could play but will probably be left out of the line-up until the PawSox begins their next road trip in Durham next week.

One lost note from last night's 9-1 win...Jeff Bailey tied a PawSox record earning four walks in one game.

I'm at the game and will provide periodic updates and a complete report at game's end. If you are going to the game...enjoy the weather and the post-game fireworks!