PawSox complete four-game sweep of visiting Durham
PAWTUCKET. — Ryan Court socked a solo home run in the seventh and added an insurance run in the eighth, as the Pawtucket Red Sox defeated the Durham Bulls, 3-1, on Monday afternoon at McCoy Stadium.
The PawSox (21-24) completed the four-game sweep of the Bulls (29-19) and extended their winning streak to a seasonbest five games. Since its ninegame losing streak in the middle of the month, Pawtucket has now won six of its last eight games.
Court, who has now hit safely in 21 of his last 23 games, went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
“Getting the two RBIs, run scored, job well done,” Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles said. “He’s played well at shortstop. He’s done a lot of good things here.”
PawSox starter Shawn Haviland shook off a pair of recent shaky outings and dealt six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. In his previous two starts, the 31-year old had surrendered 10 runs (nine earned) on 17 hits. Against the Bulls, however, Haviland leaned on his curveball and was able to escape modest danger, stranding six between the second through fifth innings.
“Good mix. I thought he showed fastball command,” Boles said. “I thought overall he was unpredictable today. I just thought he was terrific. Real good pace and tempo. I thought him and [catcher Blake] Swihart worked well together. That’s what he’s done this year.”
Pawtucket reliever Brandon Workman (W, 2-1), in his first outing since May 18, added a pair of hitless innings with two strikeouts, and Noe Ramirez (S, 3) buttoned up the victory in the ninth.
Durham starter Yonny Chirinos countered with six innings of one-run ball of his own, yielding only three hits and no walks. Reliever Neil Wagner (L, 0-1) labored in a 30-pitch seventh inning and took the loss.
After a scheduled off day Sunday, rehabbing Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval (right knee sprain) played all nine innings and went 1-for-4 with a hard-hit double to rightcenter and a flyout to the warn- ing track in left-center.
The PawSox broke up the pitchers’ duel in the bottom of the fifth. After right fielder Bryce Brentz stung a double to left, he scored on a close play at the plate on an RBI single up the middle from first baseman Jantzen Witte.
Durham tied the game, 1-1, in the sixth when catcher Mike Marjama ripped a two-out single to left field to plate left fielder Shane Peterson.
Pawtucket reclaimed the lead, 2-1, in the seventh when Court led off against Wagner with a solo home run on a line to right.
Then with two runners on in the eighth, Court finished off a seven-pitch at-bat with an RBI single to center to reel in Sandoval and make it 3-1.
Following their six-game homestand, the PawSox start a three-game series against Norfolk on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. PawSox right-hander Marcus Walden (2-2, 2.31) is scheduled to start opposite Tides righty Gabriel Ynoa (1-4, 6.00).