Chiefs Overtake PawSox 4-2

PAWTUCKET- The Syracuse Chiefs scored single runs in each of the last three innings to break a 1-1 tie and defeat the PawSox, 4-2, tonight at McCoy.

Both PawSox runs came via the long ball as SS Josh Wilson led off the bottom of the first with a homer into the Pawtucket bullpen in left and C George Kottaras belted a solo home run to right in the bottom of the ninth.

Pawtucket could only muster six hits against four Syracuse pitchers.

“It just was a night when we had a tough time scoring runs", said PawSox Manager Ron Johnson, “We didn’t do a lot of threatening.”

Pawtucket starter Charlie Zink (13-5) proved to be the tough luck loser, giving up a pair of solo homers, to DH Hector Luna in the second and 3B Danny Sandoval in the seventh. He worked seven innings, giving up only three hits. He struck out seven and walked no one. He threw 91 pitches, 65 for strikes.

“I was really happy with my control” said Zink “I hung one to Sandoval and thought I made a good one to Luna down low, but he was able to get it out.”

“(Charlie) definitely pitched well enough to win” said Johnson.

PawSox reliever Chris Smith gave up a solo run in the seventh on a lead-off double by 1B Kevin Melillo and a sacrifice fly to SS Pedro Lopez.

New PawSox reliever Marcus McBeth pitched the ninth and gave up a double by CF Buck Coats and a sacrifice fly to center by 2B Russ Adams.

Syracuse starter Scott Richmond pitched five solid innings, although he did not figure in the decision. He gave up one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out six. His lone mistake came when he surrendered Wilson’s homer in the first..

Lefty Bill Murphy (6-10) came on in relief of Richmond and pitched two scoreless innings to pick-up the win.

Kottaras and LF Jeff Corsaletti had two hits apiece for the PawSox.

The PawSox still trail Scranton/Wilkes Barre, 2 ½ games out of first place in the IL North.

Game two of the three game series with the Chiefs continues tomorrow night (7:05pm) RHP Brian Wolfe (2-2, 2.39 ERA) throws for Syracuse. He’ll be opposed by David Pauley (13-4, 3.45 ERA) for Pawtucket.

NOTES- PawSox outfielder Jonathan Van Every, who returned to the line-up tonight after missing a few weeks with a strained oblique, left the game in the fifth with a stiff neck and was replaced by Sean Danielson. Johnson said he is day-to-day.

Johnson has announced his rotation for the next five days. Pauley will pitch tomorrow night. Bartolo Colon will make another rehab start Thursday. Edgar Martinez will start on Friday at Rochester in place of Davern Hansack, who was placed on the disabled list yesterday. Michael Bowden will be pushed back one day and start the second game of the Red Wings series Saturday.

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