PawSox Hit the Road Running

The PawSox began their 8-game Virginia road swing in grand fashion tonight, putting together a 8-5 win over the Richmond Braves at the Diamond.

Six Pawtucket starters drove in at least one run and the pitching staff was bolstered by another solid pitching performance out of David Pauley, who secured his 11th win of the season, tops in the International League.

The PawSox offense got on the board in the second inning against Braves starter Chuck James on a solo homer by Dusty Brown (his 8th of the season), and an RBI single by Jeff Bailey.

Pawtucket added a single run in the fifth on a Bobby Kietly sacrifice fly scoring Jed Lowrie, who led off the inning with a double to left.

The PawSox were aided by a wild Braves pitching staff in the sixth when they scored five runs and sent 11 players to the plate. Chad Spann led off with a double and advanced to second on a bunt single by Sean Danielson. After Jonathan Van Every struck out, James was replaced by Andy Shabilio. Danielson stole second and Bailey walked to load the bases. Following a Joe Thurston strike out, Lowrie and Chris Carter worked back-to-back walks to force in two runs. Kielty then singled sharply to center, plating two more PawSox runs. Two more walks to Brown and Spann resulted in the fifth Pawtucket run of the inning.

Pauley's only trouble came in the fifth when he gave up four Richmond runs, only two of which were earned. Four consecutive singles to lead off the inning, capped by a two run hit by Clint Simmons got the Braves back in the game. A throwing error by Lowrie helped get two more Braves runners in scoring position for Derrick Arnold, who singled in two runs two batters later. At the time those tallies gave Richmond a 4-3 lead.

For the game Pauley threw six innings. He gave up seven hits, walked three and struck out four. Eric Hull pitched two scoreless innings of relief. Chris Smith came on and surrendered Anderson's third RBI of the night in the bottom of the ninth.

Bailey went 3 for 5 to pace the PawSox attack. Danielson added two hits. Kielty drove in three runs.

Game two of the four game series will be tomorrow night (7:00pm). Edgar Martinez (3-1) throws for the PawSox. He will face Francisley Bueno (2-3) for the Braves.