PawSox Slam Bats, 11-3

PAWTUCKET- RF Joe Thurston went 2 for 5 and drove in four runs and C Dusty Brown added a grand slam to lead the PawSox over the Louisville Bats, 11-3 tonight at McCoy.

The PawSox scored seven runs in the seventh inning to open up what had been a slim 4-3 lead. The runs came courtesy of Thurston’s three-run homer and Brown’s grand slam, both off Louisville reliever Marcus McBeth.

“Joe Thurston…he’s rollin’”, said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson, “He’s right in the middle of every big thing we’ve got going on.”

PawSox starter Edgar Martinez made his second straight start and held the Bats relatively in check over four and two-thirds innings of work. He was touched for a single run in the fifth on an RBI single by Louisville DH Ryan Hanigan. He finished the night surrendering five hits. He walked three and struck out four. He threw 90 pitches, 55 for strikes. Martinez also found himself in trouble in the fourth but was bailed out of the jam when CF Jonathan Van Every threw out 1B Adam Barker attempting to score from second on a two out single by C Alvin Colina.

“I really liked the way he went after hitters.” said Johnson.

“I’m really comfortable”, said Martinez, “I think everything was working today.”

Bats starter Ramon Ramirez looked impressive early in the game, holding the PawSox hitless over the first four innings.

The PawSox finally got to Ramirez in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs. DH George Kottaras led off with a walk. Running on a 3-2 count, Kottaras scored on a double down the left field line by 3B Keith Ginter. C Dusty Brown walked, but Gil Velazquez grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Van Every plated Ginter by drilling a triple down the right field line. 1B Jeff Bailey followed with an RBI double to left center. He was driven home on RF Thurston’s scorching single past the glove of Andy Green at second.

Hunter Jones (2-2) picked up the win in relief of Martinez. He did give up two runs in an inning and a third of work, one coming on a solo homer by Adam Rosales in the sixth.

Eric Hull and Chris Smith pitched the final three innings in scoreless fashion.

Along with Thurston, Van Every (2 for 4) and Bailey (2 for 4), and George Kottaras had two hits apiece for the PawSox . Jed Lowrie (1 for 3) extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a double in the fifth inning.

Hanigan and Colina had two hits each for Louisville.

Game three of the series will be played tomorrow night (7:05 pm). RHP Justin Mallett (2-1, 3.00 ERA) goes for the Bats. RHP Charlie Zink (7-2, 2.44 ERA) throws for the PawSox.

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