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Velazquez helps PawSox post comeback win |
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 |
By BRENDAN McGAIR
Sports writer
PAWTUCKET – The goal of minor league baseball is to provide opportunities.
It doesn’t matter how these “chances” are created or how they arise. The bottom line is to say “thank you” and whatever you do, don’t look back.
That’s exactly what Gil Velazquez has done lately. More time at shortstop was created the moment Jed Lowrie was promoted to Boston on July 12.
Becoming an everyday contributor has suited Velazquez just fine. He was the main catalyst offensively Tuesday night with a home run and a game-tying single as Pawtucket rallied to top Rochester, 5-3, before 11,157.
Perfection sums up Velazquez’s night. He went 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. He sent his sixth home run into the Pawtucket bullpen, a shot that snapped Rochester’s Kevin Mulvey’s shutout bid in the fifth.
“He’s swinging the bat well right now,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson, no doubt referencing the .337 clip Velazquez has enjoyed the last 21 games. “He was right in the mix all night long.”
The bats warmed up for the PawSox in seventh, where the locals overcame a 3-2 deficit with three runs. Pawtucket delivered in bunches with four straight hits against Mulvey (three runs in 6 1/3 innings) and two Red Wings relievers. Velazquez evened things by driving home Jeff Corsaletti, who began the rally with a one-out double.
Jonathan Van Every followed with a double to bring home Velazquez with the go-ahead run. Just for good measure, Jeff Bailey (two hits) plated Van Every with a single, stretching Pawtucket’s lead to two runs.
The 28-year-old Velazquez is in uncharted territory. He’s spent the bulk of his pro career as a reserve, the last few seasons with Norfolk (2002-04) and Rochester (2005-07).
It goes without saying Valazquez enjoying his newfound role with the first-place PawSox, who remained 1 ½ games ahead of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.
“It’s a good feeling you know you’re going to play when you come to the ballpark,” said Velazquez. “I’ve gotten used (to a backup role), but I’m pretty happy, especially now things are going good.”
The late-inning magic turned knuckleballer Charlie Zink into a 13-game winner, which tops the International League. Zink endured a rough third inning, when five straight Rochester hits produced three runs. That was all the damage Zink was touched for in seven innings as part of a nine hit/two strikeout/one walk outing.
“I always think the starts are better when they have to battle a little adversity, you then see what your guy is made of,” said Johnson. “You have to stay patient with Charlie. It’s all about a feel with the knuckler, and if he gets the feel, he’s going to roll deep into the game.”
Zink was picked up by two scoreless innings from the bullpen. Jon Switzer retired the side on nine pitches in the eighth and Chris Smith racked up save No. 14 with a clean ninth.
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And just think, there’s still the possibly of two-plus remaining months in Brandon Moss’ season.
The fact the outfielder/first baseman has endured four jam-packed months begs the question if he’s got enough left to cross the finish line. It’s something worth considering in the last four months Moss has:
A). played in Japan, home to his first major-league home run, a game-tying blast that powered the Red Sox to a 6-5 win over Oakland.
B). underwent emergency appendectomy surgery on May 3 at Mass. General Hospital and was released the following day.
C). enjoyed a lengthy stay in Boston that lasted from June 6 to July 24. He totaled 17 hits in 57 at-bats (.298 average).
Asked if he’s had the chance to stop and smell the roses and reflect, Moss replied, “It’s gone by so fast, so much has happened.”
Moss knew it was only a matter time before getting returned to Pawtucket. That came last Friday, the day David Ortiz was reinstated.
Even though he was walking tall as a big leaguer, Moss kept close tabs on what was transpiring down on the farm. The PawSox trailed by a game when he left in June. Last night marked the 37th consecutive game they have spent in first.
“I knew exactly what was going on because I knew I’d be back down at some point,” said Moss, who has enjoyed three call-ups this year. “There wasn’t going to be a roster spot with David coming back.
“I just tried to keep my routine going, but you don’t try to do too much. When you get in a game the adrenaline takes over,” Moss continued. “You try to work on your mechanics and be ready with what comes.”
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EXTRA BASES: Joe Thurston, whose .316 average ranks him second in the IL, was out of the lineup after taking a foul ball off his foot Monday. Johnson didn’t seem to think it was an injury serious enough to keep the second baseman down for a lengthy time, but believed it will be a few days before Thurston returns to action. … Starting at second for Pawtucket was Jeff Natale, who came off the disabled list after missing close to 2 ½ months with a fractured left forearm. Natale has rehabbed with the Gulf Coast Red Sox and with Single-A Lowell, where he batted .333 in 11 games. As luck would have it, Natale was plunked twice on the left hand. … To make room for Natale, Chad Spann was released, the news coming down while the PawSox were on their home from Norfolk Monday evening. … It will be a noontime start today as David Pauley (12-3, 3.39 ERA) seeks to equal Zink against the Red Wings’ Anthony Swarzak, who will be making his Triple-A debut. Michael Bowden makes his McCoy debut Thursday. He has made two starts, both coming on the road and both resulting in losses. His ERA, however, is a more-than-respectable 3.60. … The box office is now open for fans to purchase PawSox playoff tickets for all potential home games. Those wishing to charge can call (401) 724-7300.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 02 August 2008 )
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