PawSox Bash Iron Pigs 11-4

The PawSox pounded out 18 hits and pulled away from the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs late, 11-4, last night at Coca Cola Park. Pawtucket has won three in a row and are now 12-1 against the Iron Pigs this season.

Eight of the nine batters in the Pawtucket line-up collected at least one hit. The group was led by the newly-activated Chris Carter and 1B Jeff Natale who had four hits each. C David Ross had three hits while Keith Ginter and Gil Velazquez contributed with two apiece.

The PawSox got out of the box right away against Lehigh Valley starter J.A. Happ (8-7) by scoring five runs over the first two innings. Carter, Ginter, and Natale had RBI singles in the first while Carter and Ross drove in a pair in the second.

The PawSox did not score again until putting up six runs in the top of the ninth, on RBI singles by Ginter and Natale and back-to-back home runs by Velazquez (3-run) and Jonathan Van Every (solo).

Bartolo Colon started the game for the PawSox and was not as solid as his previous outings. He pitched three innings, giving up all four Iron Pigs Runs (3 earned) on four hits. He walked one, struck out three, and gave up a three-run homer to LF Brandon Watson.

The Pawtucket bullpen once again picked-up the pieces and threw six innings of scoreless relief. Marcus McBeth (2-1), Beau Vaighan, and Chris Smith pitched two innings each, surrendering a total of four hits. McBeth was credited with the win while Smith earned his 15th save.

Happ gave up five runs over 1 2/3 innings to take the loss. Reliever Matt Childers was the victim of the PawSox' six-run ninth.

Pawtucket plays its final regular season road game tonight (7:05 pm) as they wrap-up their four game series in Allentown. Edgar Martinez (7-3) in scheduled to pitch for Pawtucket. He will be opposed by Kris Benson (1-2) for Lehigh Valley.

NOTES- IF/OF Joe Thurston was recalled by the Red Sox to take the roster spot left vacant after J.D. Drew was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Thurston was also added to the Red Sox' 40-man roster.

Chris Smith was sent back down to Pawtucket after Tim Wakefield re-activated from the disabled list.

BOX SCORE