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PawSox drop playoff opener |
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Thursday, 04 September 2008 |
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By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET – Pawtucket Red Sox manager Ron Johnson was tickled to death with the idea of starting the postseason at McCoy Stadium for two games before busing to Scranton/Wilkes Barre.
The PawSox tasted plenty of success during the regular season, turning McCoy Stadium into a safe haven that saw the locals perform at a 46-26 clip. Residing in the other dugout, however, was a Yankees club that went 42-30 on the road.
The opening salvo in the opening round Governors’ Cup series was fired by Scranton, winning by a 7-1 final before a playoff crowd of 3,191. Pawtucket will look to tap into that “Home Sweet Home” mojo when Game 2 takes place tonight.
Otherwise, Pawtucket faces the daunting task of winning three straight ballgames at PNC Field.
“We didn’t play good tonight, but you’ve got to turn the page. We know in order to beat a good team that we need to play well,” said Johnson. “We’ve now made it a three-out-of-four series; it’s going to be a big day (today).”
The PawSox couldn’t have selected a better candidate to take the mound in the first playoff game contested at McCoy in nearly five years. Knuckleballer Charlie Zink earned International League Pitcher of the Year honors based on a 14-6 record and a 2.84 ERA.
The Yankees, who won the North Division by 2 1/2 games over Pawtucket, weren’t bedazzled by Zink’s butterfly pitch. Scranton knocked out Zink after 5 1/3 innings and 99 pitches (62 pitches).
Scranton got all the runs it needed in the fourth. Catcher Chris Stewart doubled home a run and later scored a two-run home run by leadoff batter Justin Christian.
The Yankees applied the final blow with a three-spot off Zink in the sixth. Stewart launched a solo homer. Following a double and a walk, Zink departed, giving way to Kyle Snyder.
A foul out down the right field line resulted in a sacrifice fly by Melky Cabrera. A RBI single by Juan Miranda officially closed the book on Zink, who allowed six runs on eight hits.
Pawtucket had plenty of chances to jump back in but ended up stranding 13. Gil Velazquez provided the lone run with a round tripper into the PawSox bullpen.
“We had some opportunities, but the bottom line is that we couldn’t get them in,” said Johnson.
Snyder tossed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out three. Scranton starter Chase Wright allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings while four Yankees relievers teaming up to toss 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
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Jason Lane was given a free pass to watch the rest of the game from the clubhouse after the PawSox outfielder was ejected in the first inning for arguing a called third strike. After receiving the heave-ho, Lane had some choice words for home plate umpire R.J. Thompson.
Lane’s beef continued to as he made his way back to the dugout. After hearing enough, Thompson booted Lane, who at that point had his back turned to the plate.
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The regular season saw the PawSox use 52 players (25 position players and 27 pitchers). A total of eight PawSox that began the season here stayed put the entire season. The list of those not receiving call-ups include: Velazquez, Dusty Brown, George Kottaras, Keith Ginter, Edgar Martinez, Jon Switzer, Devern Hansack and Michael Tejera.
There’s healthy dose of Pawtucket players who helped contribute to a franchise-record 85 wins and are currently in Boston. The names are: Jeff Bailey (IL MVP), David Pauley (14 wins) and Chris Smith (team-best 15 saves).
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EXTRA BASES: As expected the PawSox added Michael Bowden and Game Three starter Adam Mills to roster to take the place of Smith (called up to Boston on Tuesday) and Miguel Asencio (optioned to Portland). Pawtucket also reinstated Sandy Madera and assigned reliever Lincoln Holdzkom to Class A Greenville. Holdzkom was on the field for batting practice and was in the clubhouse afterwards. … Speaking of Greenville, the Drive are the lone Red Sox affiliate not to qualify for the playoffs. Double-A Portland reached the Eastern League playoffs for the fourth straight season. The Sea Dogs will face New York’s Class AA affiliate, the Trenton Thunder. Single-A Lancaster awaits its playoff fate in the California League as does short-season Lowell. The Spinners clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history as champs of the Stedler Division. Lowell’s regular season ends on Saturday. … Hansack, tonight’s starter for Pawtucket, is making his second start since coming off the disabled list last Monday. Johnson says the pitch target for Hansack is 75-80. The native of Nicaragua will be opposed by Scranton’s Ian Kennedy. Kennedy pitched at McCoy last month, holding the PawSox to two runs over seven innings. Scranton is now 73-2 after leading after seven innings. … Sitting in Ben Mondor’s box was new Providence College men’s basketball coach Keno Davis along with school president Rev. Brian Shanley and athletic director Bob Driscoll. ..The other first round series saw Durham go up one game after winning at Louisville, 3-0.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 13 September 2008 )
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