Natale, Thurston Lead PawSox to Win

Jeff Natale and Joe Thurston each had two hits, including a home run, to pace the PawSox to a 5-4 road win over the Syracuse Chiefs last night.

The two homers accounted for four Pawtucket runs. Natale belted a three-run shot in the second inning while Thurston added a solo blast in the fifth, both off Chiefs' starter Ricky Romero. Dusty Brown drove in the remaining Pawtucket run, on an RBI single in the first.

Bartolo Colon started the game for Pawtucket, but lasted only one inning. He did give up two hits but held Syracuse scoreless.

Jose Vaquedano (2-1) proved to be the pitching star for the PawSox. He threw four innings, giving up only one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out one in earning the win.

Eric Hull and Hunter Jones combined to give up three runs on five hits in four innings of work. Jones did pick-up his sixth save of the year.

Romero (1-2) took the loss for Syracuse. Over six innings he gave up all five PawSox runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Syracuse did collect 12 hits in a losing effort, with Buck Coats and Russ Adams accounting for three hits each.

The win puts the PawSox' magic number to secure a payoff berth dropped at seven. Scranton/Wilkes Barre also lost, so the PawSox are now 1 1/2 games out of first place in the IL North Division.

Pawtucket heads west for two games with the Buffalo Bisons beginning tonight (7:05 pm). Michael Bowden (0-2) looks for his first PawSox win on the mound while he'll be opposed by veteran John Halama (7-4) for Buffalo.

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