PawSox Fall to Yankees, Out of First Place

2B Bernie Castro delivered a one-out bases-loaded walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees a 3-2 come-from-behind win over the PawSox last night in Moosic, PA. With the win the Yankees take over the top spot in the IL North Division, 1/2 game better than Pawtucket.

The winning run came against PawSox relievers Michael Tejera and Jose Vaquedano. SS Cody Ransom led-off with a walk off Tejera. After 3B Eric Duncan popped out to first, Vaquedano entered the game and gave up a singe to C Chris Stewart and a walk to LF Brett Gardner to load the bases. Castro then laced a 0-1 pitch over the drawn in infield to knock in the winning run. Tejera (3-6) was tabbed with the loss.

The game featured stellar starting pitching from Pawtucket's David Pauley and Scranton's Chase Wright. The game was scoreless until the top of the sixth when the PawSox got to Wright for two runs on a bases clearing triple by Jeff Bailey. Up until the sixth Wright had held the PawSox hitless.

Pauley shut down the Yankees until the seventh, when he gave up a lead-off single to Juan Miranda and a two-run homer to Shelley Duncan to tie the game.

Neither starter figured in the decision. Wright pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on four hits. He walked one and struck out four. Pauley threw seven innings, also giving up two runs on four hits. He walked three and struck out three.

Steven Jackson (2-0) pitched the ninth for the Yankees and picked up the win.

The Yankees now hold a 2-1 edge in this six game stretch between the two clubs. Game two of the four-game Pennsylvania portion of the series takes place tonight (7:00pm). Bartolo Colon (2-0) will be making another rehab start for Pawtucket. He'll be opposed by Kei Igawa (11-5) for Scranton.

NOTES: Another line-up switch for PawSox Manager Ron Johnson, placing newly acquired IF Josh Wilson in the lead-off spot at short stop. Wilson reached base twice, going 1 for 3 with a walk.

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