Zink Stymies Chiefs

PAWTUCKET- Charlie Zink showed tonight why he was selected to the International League All-Star team.

Zink was spectacular on the mound, holding the Syracuse Chiefs to two hits, while Keith Ginter drove in three runs to lead the PawSox to a 3-0 victory tonight before 10,128 in attendance at McCoy.

Zink was extremely efficient. He walked two and struck out eight on 93 pitches, 62 of which were strikes. Zink never allowed a Syracuse runner past second base.

“It’s been going on all year” said Zink, “If I’m able to throw strikes, get the guys to put the ball in play, we got a great defense and they go out and make a lot of plays for me.”

“(PawSox pitching coach) Rich (Sauveur) has got me locked in where I’m comfortable repeating my delivery” said Zink, “I’m able to throw a lot of strikes.”

“You could just feel it” said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson of Zink’s command, “He was up and down. He was throwing strikes. That’s probably as close as comfortable as I’ve felt in the dugout.”

Zink’s complete game shutout was the first by a PawSox pitcher since September 5, 2004 when Jamie Brown turned the trick against Scranton.

The PawSox were held hitless by Syracuse starter Scott Richmond until the fourth, when they scored their first run. Joe Thurston led off the inning with a single and hustled to third on a follow-up single by Jed Lowrie. After Chris Carter struck out, Thurston scored as Ginter grounded back to Richmond, who potentially had a play at the plate but chose instead to get the safe out at first.

The PawSox did not add to their lead until the eighth. Jonathan Van Every and Jeff Bailey led off with singles off Syracuse reliever Chris George. Thurston then walked to load the bases. Jordan DeJong replaced George. After Lowrie and Carter popped out, Ginter drove in two with a line drive single to center.

“That was a huge hit” said Johnson “You could feel the momentum swing. If you pitch out of that with the bases loaded, that could force your hand.”

Richmond (0-1) was the tough luck loser. He worked seven innings, giving up one run on two hits. He walked three and struck out eight.

The PawSox open a short, two-game series beginning tomorrow night (6:15pm) at McCoy against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. RHP Kris Benson (0-1, 9.00 ERA) goes for the Iron Pigs. RHP Davern Hansack (4-8, 4.39 ERA) takes the mound for Pawtucket.

BOX SCORE