PawSox Fall To Hens in 12, 5-4

The PawSox could not capitalize on ample opportunities to score runs and fell to the Toledo Mud Hens, 5-4, in 12 innings this afternoon at Fifth Third Field.

While the PawSox could not take advantage of its scoring chances, it was the Mud Hens who caught a break. They scored the winning run in the bottom of the twelfth on a two-out wild pitch by Pawtucket reliever Lincoln Holdzkom (5-4) on a strikeout to Timo Perez. Instead of ending the inning, the ball went to the backstop and Dusty Brown's throw to first came just a split second too late. Freddy Guzman scored from third to give Toledo the victory.

The story of the game was that the PawSox stranded 15 runners over 12 innings. Twice in extra innings Pawtucket had a runner in scoring position but could not knock the go-ahead run across.

The PawSox got off to a good start, scoring three runs in the first two innings off Toledo starter Anastacio Martinez. Brown belted a two-run double in the first and Joe Thurston knocked in a run in the second on a sacrifice fly.

Despite the early lead the Mud Hens fought back to tie the game off Pawtucket starter Davern Hansack by the end of the fifth inning. Hansack worked six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out seven.

It looked like the PawSox would pull out the victory after they scored an unearned run in the top of the eighth when Toledo shortstop Derek Wathan could not handle a grounder by Jeff Bailey, plating Gil Velazquez. But the Mud Hens tied it in the bottom of the eighth on a solo homer by second baseman Erick Almonte off PawSox reliever Hunter Jones.

Despite multiple scoring chances the PawSox were only able to scatter eight hits. Guzman had three of the Mud Hens' 11 hits in the game.

Pawtucket ends the 8-game Ohio trip at 4-4 and head back home to McCoy to begin a 4-game series with the Rochester Red Wings starting tomorrow night (7:05 pm). Kevin Mulvey (4-8) will start for Rochester. He'll be opposed by Charlie Zink (12-3) for Pawtucket.

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