Rochester holds on for a 2-1 victory over the PawSox to complete the 2-game sweep.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Despite a ninth-inning homer from Tzu-Wei Lin, the Pawtucket Red Sox could not complete their comeback against the Rochester Red Wings, falling 2-1 in front of a sellout crowd of more than 10,000 at McCoy Stadium on Tuesday night.
For the second consecutive night, the PawSox welcomed more than 10,200 fans as part of their Independence Day celebration, nothing their fourth and fifth sellouts of the season, respectively. Rochester (41-40), however, followed up Monday’s 6-2 victory with a pair of early runs that stood up against the PawSox (39-44), who have now dropped 7 of their last 8 games.
Pawtucket right fielder Aneury Tavarez (3-for-4) supplied half of the team’s hits, as the offense also worked a half-dozen walks in total but stranded 11 runners on the basepaths.
PawSox starter Chandler Shepherd (L, 4-7) scattered 9 hits over 4.1 innings of 2-run ball, and a trio of relievers followed with excellent work. Right-hander Kyle Martin retired all five batters he faced, including three by way of the strikeout. Southpaw Bobby Poyner punched out a pair in 1.2 innings, and sidearmer Trevor Kelley (1.1 IP) has now retired all 10 Triple-A batters he’s faced since his promotion from Double-A Portland on Sunday.
Talented 23-year old Rochester starter Fernando Romero (W, 2-1), who has made 10 starts for the Twins this season, spun 5.2 scoreless stanzas, working around 5 walks with 8 strikeouts. Hard-throwing righty Alan Busenitz (S, 4) wavered in the ninth on Lin’s home run but secured the victory.
Rochester outfielder Byron Buxton, who won a Gold Glove with the Twins last season, doubled to begin the ballgame and came around to score on a single from No. 3 hitter Gregorio Petit.
An inning later, designated hitter Chris Carter led off with a double and scored on a bloop single that just landed fair from No. 9 hitter Leonardo Reginatto, extending the lead to 2-0.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Lin – in his second game back from the Red Sox – mashed a hanging breaking ball to right field for a solo shot that pulled Pawtucket within a run.
The PawSox square off again with the Red Wings on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. – this time at Frontier Field in Rochester. PawSox left-hander Jalen Beeks (5-5, 2.91) is scheduled to oppose Red Wings lefty Stephen Gonsalves (5-3, 4.30).