PawSox split doubleheader
Olt extra-inning grand slam salvages split at McCoy
PAWTUCKET – Thanks to one mighty swing by Mike Olt in extra innings, the Pawtucket Red Sox salvaged a split of Monday’s doubleheader against Toledo.
A native of New Haven, Conn., Olt snapped a 2-2 tie with an eighth-inning grand slam that propelled the PawSox to a 6-4 win in the sec- ond game of the twin bill, which was witnessed by 1,823 fans. The Mud Hens, owners of the best record in the entire International League coming into the day, drew first blood with a 3-0 win in the first game.
The importance of Olt’s blast was magnified after Bobby Poyner allowed a two-run home run to Toledo’s Jim Adduci in the home half of the eighth.
“The timing of the doubleheader was good, especially with the big club being off. That helped us out as far as not worrying about staying away from guys,” said PawSox manager Kevin Boles. “It was good to create a cushion in that second game. With the extra-inning games and the runner at second, anything can happen. We have a lot of experience in this area.”
d The PawSox have now played four extra-inning contests and own a 3-1 record when additional frames are needed.
The loss to Toledo in the topener snapped a threegame winning streak. Pawtucket managed just one hit against two pitchers with Rusney Castillo collecting the lone base knock for the home team.
PawSox starter Chandler Shepherd got off to a promising start. He struck out the side in the fourth and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of Game 1 before running into trouble. After allowing two singles, Shepherd walked the next two batters, including one with the bases loaded to force in the game’s first run.
Shepherd got out of the fifth by allowing just the one run, but trouble resurfaced when Dawel Lugo led off the sixth with a home run. Shepherd was victimized for another long ball three batters later, this one by Adduci. Shepherd’s final line was six innings, five hits, three runs, two walks, and six strikeouts. He tossed 81 pitches (61 strikes).
Olt’s second home run of the season came with Pawtucket serving as the visiting team – the teams had a game rained out when they met in Ohio earlier this month. Brandon Workman was credited with the win despite allowing two runs on three hits. Josh Smith opened with four scoreless innings while Chad De La Guerra opened the scoring with a solo home run in the third inning, his first.