PawSox Need Ten to Nip Clippers 3-2

The PawSox snapped their four game losing streak last night, as George Kottaras drove in his second run of the game in the top of the 10th inning to lead Pawtucket to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Clippers.

Kottaras' hit came with two outs off Columbus reliever Chris Schroder (5-3), plating Joe Thurston, who had led off the inning with ground-rule double to right.

The PawSox held a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the eighth when the Clippers managed to tie the game off Pawtucket reliever Hunter Jones. Roger Bernadina led off with a ground-rule double and advanced to third on a bunt single by Leonard Davis. Bernadina scored on a ground out to first by Lastings Milledge. Jones then settled down, retiring the next two Columbus batters.

Once again the PawSox received a solid performance out of its pitching staff, led last night by starter Davern Hansack. Hansack worked seven innings, giving up one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out 11. Jones worked a scoreless ninth and earned the win. Chris Smith pitched the tenth to garner his 10th save of the year.

The PawSox scored their other runs of the game in the first inning. Jeff Bailey led off with a walk and advanced to third on a Thurston double. One out later Bailey scored on a ground out by Chris Carter. Thurston was driven in on a Kottaras double to right.

Thurston and Kottaras each had two hits as part of the 8-hit Pawtucket attack. Bernadina, Davis, and Luis Jiminez had two hits each for Columbus.

The two teams wrap up their four game series with a matinee (12:00pm) match-up this afternoon at Cooper Stadium. RHP Charlie Zink (11-3, 2.83) looks to get back to his winning ways on the mound for Pawtucket. He'll be opposed by RHP Marco Estrada (2-1, 4.89) for the Clippers.

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