Game Wraps- May 2, 2008

Here's a wrap of the action from across the International League from Friday, May 2nd...

The Scranton Wilkes/Barre Yankees took a pair from the Durham Bulls, 6-1, and 4-3 last night in Moosic, PA, GAME ONE BOX GAME TWO BOX

SS Diory Hernandez and 1B Scott Thorman each had three hits and drove in a combined five runs as the Richmond Braves dominated the Louisville Bats, 9-1. BOX

LF Darnell McDonald had three hits and drove in five as the Rochester Red Wings defeated the Toledo Mud Hens 6-4. On a rehab start, the Tigers' Dontrelle Willis took the loss. BOX

1B Brad Eldred belted a pair of homers and drove in five as the Charlotte Knights beat the Buffalo Bisons, 10-3. BOX

1B Adam Boeve and LF Steve Perace each drove in three runs as the Indianapolis Indans beat the Norfolk Tides, 9-3. BOX

The Columbus Clippers held off the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, 4-3. BOX

PawSox Rally Falls Short, 4-3

PawSox catcher Dusty Brown was thrown out at the plate for the final out of the game, leaving Pawtucket one run short as they fell, 4-3, to the Syracuse Chiefs last night at Alliance Bank Stadium.

Trailing 4-0 in the top of the eighth inning, the PawSox got the first two batters to reach on singles and they scored on a Joe Thurston single and a sacrifice fly by George Kottaras.

To begin the top of the ninth, Keith Ginter, Brown, and Jonathan Van Every reached on a hit batter and two walks to load the bases. With Chiefs' reliever Trace Thorpe on the mound, Gil Velazquez struck out and Jeff Bailey flew out to shallow left. Thurston then drilled a single to center fielder Buck Coats, scoring Ginter. Coats came up with a throw to the plate where C Robinson Diaz and Brown collided. Diaz held on to the ball for the out and the Chiefs survived.

Thurston, who has been on a hot streak on the road trip, lead all PawSox hitters by going 3 for 5. Velazquez added two hits for Pawtucket. For Syracuse, LF Russ Adams was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI's.

Kyle Snyder (0-1) made his fourth start for the PawSox and took the hard-luck loss despite an impressive performance. Over six innings of work he gave up only one run (unearned) on six hits. He struck out six and walked no one. Lincoln Holdzkom's troubles continued, giving up three runs in the seventh on four hits.

Former Toronto reliever Brandon League (1-0), took the win for Syracuse, despite giving up two runs over 3 1/3 innings pitched.

The two teams play game three of their four game series this afternoon (2:00pm) as the PawSox send RHP David Pauley (2-1, 1.33) to the mound against LHP John Parrish (3-0, 2.42) for the Chiefs.

BOX SCORE

SYRACUSE POST STANDARD REPORT

Game 29- PawSox vs. Chiefs, May 2, 2008

The PawSox look to make it three in a row on the road as they prepare for the second game of a four game series tonight (7:00pm) against the Syracuse Chiefs at Alliance Bank Stadium.

We just have time for a brief look at tonight's pitchers...

Pawtucket Red Sox (16-12)

KYLE SNYDER, RHP 0-0, 6.17 ERA

Left his last start with a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning, but the bullpen was not able to protect the lead and the PawSox dropped a 4-3 decision at Buffalo (4/27).

Syracuse Chiefs (17-11)

LHP DAVIS ROMERO 0-1, 1.84 ERA

Romero is making his sixth start of the season. He lost his last start giving up one run on three hits on April 27th.

Game Wraps, May 1, 2008

Let's take a look at the rest of the action across the International League from games played May 1st...

The Toledo Mud Hens got back on track following their 5-1 win over Rochester. BOX

Louisville and Richmond waged a slugfest in Virginia with the Bats coming out on top 11-8. BOX

Buffalo scored five runs in the middle innings, enough to beat the Charlotte Knights 5-2. BOX

The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs are back on the winning side of things, nipping the Columbus Clippers 5-3. BOX

The Indianapolis Indians scored four runs in the top of the ninth to over take the Norfolk Tides 5-2. BOX

Durham and Scranton Wilkes/Barre were done in by rain.

PawSox Pound Chiefs 9-3

The top five batters in the Pawtucket Red Sox line-up collected all 13 of the teams' hits as the PawSox beat the Syracuse Chiefs, 9-3 last night in Syracuse in the first game of a four same set.

Jeff Bailey, once again in the lead-off spot, went 3 for 5 with a double, homer (4), and two RBI. Number two hitter Joe Thurston went 4 for 5 (all singles) while C George Kottaras collected three hits in five at bats with two doubles and two driven in.

DH Sandy Madera belted his second home run of the season and drove in two. He ended the game 2 for 5. Chris Carter (1 for 3 ) and Keith Ginter also drove in runs for Pawtucket.

This game was tied at 2-2 in the top of the sixth when the PawSox began their offensive rally with two runs off Chiefs' starter Kane Davis. Bailey, Thurston, and Kottaras all reached with singles (Bailey scored). Thurston then scored two outs later on a Davis wild pitch.

The PawSox manufactured a run in the seventh. With one out Jonathan Van Every walked and stole second. He advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a Bailey single to right.

The PawSox scored a pair in the eighth on sacrifice flies by Carter and Ginter which followed a pair of doubles by Kottaras and Madera.

The final two runs of the game for Pawtucket came in the ninth on Bailey's solo homer to left and and RBI double by Kottaras.

PawSox starter Davern Hansack had his most impressive start of the season although he did not figure in the decision. He went 4 2/3 innings giving up two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked one.

Abe Alvarez (2-1) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings to get the win in relief. Eric Hull, Jon Switzer, and Bryan Corey also got in some work for the PawSox.

Davis (2-3) took his second consecutive loss against the PawSox.

Offensively for Syracuse LF Russ Adams drove in two runs while SS Pedro Lopez went 3 for 4 with one RBI.

Game two of the series is tonight (7:00pm) at Alliance Bank Stadium. RHP Kyle Snyder (0-0, 6.17) throws for Pawtucket against LHP Davis Romero (0-1, 1.84) for Syracuse.

BOX SCORE

PROJO REPORT

SYRACUSE POST STANDARD REPORT

Game 28- PawSox vs Chiefs, May 1, 2008

The Pawtucket Red Sox continue their 9 game New York road trip with the first of four against the Syracuse Chiefs tonight (7:00pm). They currently sit in third place, two games behind the Chiefs for second in the IL North. RHP Davern Hansack (0-2, 11.05 ERA) goes for the PawSox. RHP Kane Davis (2-2, 3.86 ERA throws for Syracuse.

Here's a look at tonight's game..

Pawtucket Red Sox (15-12)

The PawSox are coming off taking two of three from the Red Wings in Rochester. It's the first road series win for the team this season.

Hansack is making his fourth start of the season. In his last outing he surrendered two runs on four hits over 2 2/3 innings in a loss at Buffalo last Saturday. He was on a strict pitch count after returning to the club off the disabled list. He had been sidelined with a right forearm contusion after being hit by a batted ball April 11th in Louisville.

Off the field the PawSox have placed reliever Lee Grnkiewicz on the 7-day disabled list with right elbow soreness. Brian Corey was added to the roster after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox

Syracuse Chiefs (17-10)

The Chiefs are coming off their best April in team history, winning 17 games in the month for the first time ever. It is their best start since 1998 after 27 games (20-7). They are seven games over .500 for the first time since September of 2000. They recently completed a three game sweep of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.

Davis is coming off a loss in his start last week against the PawSox last week at McCoy. He pitched three inings, giving up four runs on five hits.

PawSox by the Numbers, April 2008

The PawSox finished the month of April with a record of 15-12, their first winning April since 2004 (12-10). They currently sit in third place in the IL North Division, 3 games out of first place.

So how are they really doing after the first month of the season? Let's look at the numbers:

TEAM BATTING STATISTICS

BA: .255 (5th in IL)
HITS: 224 (4th)
2B: 49 (4th)
3B: 9 (5th)
HR: 21 (5th)
RBI: 110 (3rd)
BB: 109 (T1st)
SO: 215 (T2nd)
OBP: .341 (2nd)

The PawSox are by and large in the middle of the pack in all categories. They appear to take a lot of pitches, hence the high walk and strikeout numbers.

TEAM PITCHING STATISTICS

ERA: 3.37 (5th in IL)
H: 203 (13th)
ER: 97 (10th)
HR: 24 (T2nd)
BB: 87 (9th)
SO: 169 (12th)

There are some good and not so good numbers when it comes to the pitching staff. They are near the bottom in hits allowed and earned runs (a good thing). Their ERA is middle of the road while they have given up a lot of homers. The fact that they are not striking out many batters means more balls in play and a test for the PawSox defense.

INDIVIDUAL BATTING STATISTICS

BA: Jonathan Van Every .298
HITS: Chris Carter 29
2B: Carter 9
3B: Brandon Moss 2
HR: George Kottaras 6
RBI: Kottaras 17
BB: Kottaras 17
SO: Van Every 30
OBP: .Bobby Kielty .404

Carter and Van Every have had impressive starts. Kottaras has the power numbers, but he goes through hot and cold streaks at the plate.

INDIVIDUAL PITCHING STATISTICS

ERA: Lee Gronkiewicz 0.79
H: Charlie Zink/Michael Tejera 27
ER: Tejera 13
HR: Tejera 5
BB: Lincoln Holdzkom 13
SO: Chris Smith 22

The PawSox staff has pitched fairly well all season. Gronkiewicz has been solid as a closer (5 saves). Other than his last outing Craig Hansen has been nearly un-hittable. The starters have been consistent. Holdzkom leading the team in walks as a reliever may be a cause for concern.