PawSox Rebound to Beat Chiefs 8-5

The Pawtucket Red Sox scored all their runs in the middle innings in beating the Syracuse Chiefs, 8-5 last night at McCoy. With the win the PawSox cut their magic number in securing a playoff berth in the International League Playoffs to three. They are also only 1 2/2 games behind Scranton/Wilkes Barre for the lead in the North Division.

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the fifth, the PawSox blew the game open with five runs against Syracuse reliever Chris George (0-1). Joe Thurston lead off the inning with a walk and then stole second. After Jason Lane and Geroge Kottaras were retired, Dusty Brown walked. Sandy Madera drove in Thurston with a single to center. After Keith Ginter walked to load the bases, Brown scored on a wild pitch. Jeff Corsaletti then cleared the bases with a three-run homer run to right center, his second of the season.

Corsaletti drove in Pawtucket's first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the fourth. The PawSox scored two more in the sixth on a Brown RBI single and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch to Ginter.

The PawSox were supported on the mound by another solid performance from starter David Pauley. Pauley (14-4) earned the win, Giving up four runs on seven hits. He struck out two and did not walk a batter. He gave up a pair of runs each in the fifth and seventh innings.

Kyle Snyder came on in relief of Pauley and gave up a run over 2 1/3 innings of work. Hunter Jones closed the game for the PawSox, earning his seventh save.

Corsaletti led all PawSox batters with 4 RBI's on the night. Brown had three hits while Thurston and Madera chipped in with two apiece.

For the Chiefs Hector Luna had three hits and scored three runs. Buck Coats, Russ Adams, and Travis Snyder had two hits each.

The two teams play the rubber game of the three game set tonight (7:05 pm). Ricky Romero (1-2) takes the mound for the Chiefs. He'll be opposed by Bartolo Colon (2-1) for the PawSox.

NOTES: According to Fox Sports, the PawSox may soon have another catcher in the clubhouse

Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt will be at the game tonight. He is in town as part of a Prostate Health Awareness campaign. He will be made available to fans for autographs at the game. More information on his appearance can be found at www.TalkAboutBPH.com.

BOX SCORE