PawSox Cannot Hold Lead, Fall to Chiefs 7-6

The Pawtucket Red Sox came from behind to take a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, but could not close the deal, falling to the Syracuse Chiefs 7-6 last night at Alliance Bank Stadium.

Trailing 5-4 entering the ninth, Keith Ginter's two-run homer to right gave the PawSox a 6-5 lead.

Closer Chris Smith (1-4) could not secure the win in the bottom of the frame, giving up two runs and the ball game. Buck Coats led off the inning with a single. After Danny Sandoval flied out to right, Russ Adams walked. Hector Luna then reached on a failed double play attempt, moving Coats to third. Coats scored when Smith threw away a pick-off attempt of Luna at first. Travis Snyder followed with the winning hit, an RBI single to right, plating Luna.

The game looked promising for Pawtucket as they opened up a 4-1 lead in the second inning on back-to-back home runs by Sandy Madera (2-run) and Josh Wilson (solo). Sean Danielson drove in the other PawSox run in the inning with a RBI single to right.

Syracuse chipped away with single runs in the first, second, third, fifth, and seventh to take a 5-4 lead heading into the ninth.

PawSox starter David Pauley gave up four runs on eight hits but did not figure in the decision. He walked one and struck out seven. John Switzer worked two innings, giving up one run on one hit, that being a solo homer to Adams in the seventh.

Syracuse starter David Romero had a brief outing, giving up four runs in only two innings of work. Mike Gosling (5-6), gave up the Pawtucket go-ahead run in the ninth, also picked up the win.

Kinter and Gil Velazquez led all PawSox with three hits apiece. Adams and Syder followed suit for the Chiefs.

The loss, combined with a Scranton/Wilkes Barre win, puts Pawtucket 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the IL North Division. The PawSox magic number to secure a playoff spot dropped to eight as Toledo lost to Louisville.

The PawSox and Chiefs wrap up their two game series tonight (7:00 pm). Bartolo Colon (2-1, 2.04 ERA) makes another rehab start for the PawSox. He'll be opposed by Ricky Romero (1-1, 2,12 ERA) for Syracuse.

NOTES: Kyle Snyder has been activated to the PawSox roster. He had been on the disabled list since June 7th with a right groin strain. It is not clear at this point when Snyder will return to the PawSox' rotation.