Pawtucket’s winning streak snapped by Norfolk
Norfolk hits pair of home runs to down Shepherd, PawSox
bmcgair@pawtuckettimes.com
PAWTUCKET – Chandler Shepherd was tagged for two home runs as part of the four runs he allowed in 5.1 innings as the PawSox saw their modest fourgame winning streak end in a 4-1 loss to Norfolk in Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader at McCoy Stadium.
Pawtucket managed seven hits in what was a seven-inning affair but went just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The PawSox also stranded eight baserunners. Brandon Phillips collected a base hit to extend his hitting streak to five games. He entered Tuesday’s nightcap with hits in 10 of his last 11 games.
Shepherd allowed a run in the second inning before getting touched for a two-run home run by the Tides’ D.J. Stewart in the third inning. Pedro Alvarez took Shepherd deep for a solo home run in the sixth.
Shepherd, who struck out seven, gave way to Marcus Walden and 1.2 innings of scoreless relief. Josh Rogers got the win for the Tides after allowing one run on six hits in five innings with seven strikeouts.
Pawtucket’s lone run came in the fourth when Sam Travis doubled in Phillips, who sin- gled and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Rogers.
PawSox outfielder Kyle Wren was forced to leave the game in the third inning after fouling a ball off his right knee. He was replaced by Cole Sturgeon, who promptly singled.
EXTRA BASES: The Tides, who are managed by PawSox former skipper Ron Johnson, will send Luis Ortiz (1-0, 3.27) to the mound for today’s noon start. He’ll be opposed by PawSox righty William Cuevas (8-6, 3.45). … The PawSox sat 6.5 games behind wild-card leader Columbus entering play on Tuesday. If Pawtucket fortunate enough to reach the top of the wild card standings, they’ll have to jump over four teams, with Norfolk being one of them. … Congrats to PawSox reliever Travis Lakins and his wife Alexis after their birth of first child, daughter Brezzlynne. Lakins is presently on Pawtucket’s temporary inactive list. … The PawSox will have put Cuevas back on the active roster. They played Tuesday’s twin bill one under the roster limit. … The PawSox on Tuesday added reliever Brandon Workman following his option from Boston on Sunday.