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Loss overshadows impressive game by John Rodriquez, who was 4-for-4.
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees have asked their bullpen to carry a pretty heavy load in recent days. Tuesday afternoon’s game against Pawtucket was one of the few times the relievers weren’t able to handle it.
The Red Sox scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to post a 6-4 win against the Yankees in front of 12,376 fans at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. – the first win by the Red Sox over SWB in more than a month.
The loss overshadowed an outstanding offensive performance by SWB left fielder John Rodriguez, who went 4-for-4 and accounted for all three of the Yankees’ RBI. Rodriguez finished with a triple, a double and two singles.
The loss also snapped a four-game winning streak by the Yankees (61-47) and it was the first win by the Red Sox in eight games against SWB dating back to July 2. Pawtucket raised its record to 49-59.
The International League North Division-leading Yankees were able to remain four games ahead of second-place Syracuse, however, when the Chiefs blew a 7-2 lead in an 8-7 loss to Norfolk on Tuesday.
The Yankees used 12 relief pitchers during five games against Pawtucket since Saturday night, including seven in the last two days. The workload finally took its toll in the final game of a brief two-game series at Pawtucket.
With the game tied at 4-4, SWB relief pitcher Amaury Sanit (0-1) surrendered a leadoff single to Bubba Bell in the bottom of the eighth inning and Bell advanced to second base on a groundout by Dusty Brown.
Angel Chavez stroked a single to score Bell, and the former SWB Red Baron advanced to second on a throwing error by SWB shortstop Doug Bernier. Mark Wagner followed with a single to score Chavez and give the Red Sox a 6-4 lead.
The game was a back-and-forth contest, with the Red Sox taking the lead three different times, while the Yankees took the lead once and tied the game twice.
Chris Carter gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run home run off SWB starting pitcher Ivan Nova. The right-hander allowed five hits, three walks and three runs in five innings for the Yankees.
The Yankees cut the lead to 2-1 in the second inning when Shelly Duncan walked and later scored on a double play groundout by Yurendell de Caster. SWB took a 3-2 lead in the fourth when Austin Jackson hit a single and stole second base, Duncan and de Caster walked to load the bases, and Rodriguez smacked a double down the right field line to score Jackson and Duncan.
The Red Sox tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth inning and took a 4-3 lead in the seventh with getting a hit. Pawtucket took advantage of control problems by SWB reliever Kevin Whelan, who walked three batters in just one-third of an inning. Chris Duncan, younger brother of Shelley, drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly.
Juan Miranda drew a two-out walk off Red Sox reliever Hunter Jones in the top of the eighth inning. T.J. Large replaced Jones and walked de Caster. Rodriguez followed with his fourth hit, a single to score Miranda that tied the game at 4-4.
HOW THEY SCORED
Pawtucket First: Jeff Natale drew a one-out walk and Chris Carter followed with a two-run home run. RED SOX 2, YANKEES 0
SWB Second: Shelley Duncan led off with a walk and went to third on a single by Juan Miranda. Yurendell de Caster grounded into a double play, with Duncan scoring on the play. RED SOX 2, YANKEES 1
SWB Fourth: Austin Jackson hit a single and stole second base. Duncan walked. One out later, de Caster walked to load the bases. John Rodriguez followed with a single to score Jackson and Duncan. YANKEES 3, RED SOX 2
Pawtucket Fifth: Angel Chavez led off with a double and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ivan Ochoa. Jeff Bailey walked and Natale followed with a single to score Chavez. YANKEES 3, RED SOX 3
Pawtucket Seventh: Ochoa drew a walk to start the inning and stole second base. Pinch hitter Mark Wagner walked to put runners on first and second. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Natale. Chris Carter walked to load the bases. Amaury Sanit replaced Kevin Whelan on the mound for the Yankees. Chris Duncan hit a sacrifice fly to score Ochoa. RED SOX 4, YANKEES 3
SWB Eighth: Miranda drew a two-out walk. T.J. Large replaced Hunter Jones on the mound for the Red Sox. de Caster walked and Rodriguez followed with a double to score Miranda. YANKEES 4, RED SOX 4
Pawtucket Eighth: Bubba Bell led off with a single and went to second base on a groundout by Dusty Brown. Chavez hit a single to score Bell, with Chavez advancing to second on a throwing error during the play. Mark Wagner followed with a single to score Chavez. RED SOX 6, YANKEES 4