PawSox Edge Iron Pigs, 7-6

Successful baseball teams often find ways to overcome adversity. With that said we can say that the 2008 edition of the Pawtucket Red Sox is a successful baseball team.

The PawSox surrendered a three run lead late in last night's game with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, but were still able to escape with a 7-6 win before a huge Independence Day crowd at McCoy.

Leading 6-3 after five innings, PawSox relievers Jose Vaquedano and Hunter Jones allowed the Iron Pigs to tie the game with three runs over the sixth and seventh innings. Mike Rouse drove home in a run with an RBI single in the sixth while Jon Knott tied the game with a two-run double in the seventh.

But PawSox were never rattled, and Jeff Bailey broke the tie with a solo homer to lead off the bottom of the eighth off Iron Pigs reliever R.J. Swindle.

PawSox reliever Chris Smith, back with the team after being optioned back by the Red Sox on Thursday, pitched a scoreless ninth inning to complete the win and secure his ninth save of the season.

Much of the PawSox offense came from the team's representatives to the Triple-A All Star Team. Joe Thurston (2 for 5) belted a homer and drove in three runs. Chris Carter (3 for 5, 1 RBI) also homered. Bailey (2 for 4) drove in a run in the second, giving him two RBI's for the game. Dusty Brown and Gil Velasquez added two hits apiece with Brown also driving in a run.

Before the Iron Pigs' comeback, Pawtucket starter Devern Hansack was in line for his third straight win. He pitched five innings, and was charged with three runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out six.

Former major league starter Kris Benson had his second disappointing outing for the Iron Pigs. Even though he did not figure in the decision, he did give up six runs on nine hits over five innings of work.

The two teams close out their brief two game series tonight (6:05 pm) at McCoy. Phillies ace Bret Myers (0-1, 5.40 ERA) makes his second Triple-A start for Lehigh Valley. He'll be opposed by the PawSox' Clay Buchholz (4-1, 1.63 ERA).

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