(Not so) friendly confines
Struggling Syracuse sweeps away Pawtucket at McCoy
PAWTUCKET – There was a time this season when the PawSox absolutely owned the Syracuse Chiefs. Then came this week as the Chiefs finally got off the canvas and punched back.
Syracuse applied the finishing touches to a three-game sweep with a 6-4 win on Thursday before a spirited parks-and-recreation crowd of 9,160. At one time, Pawtucket (54-56) owned a 15-2 record against Syracuse. Thanks to scoring 22 runs in three games, the Chiefs were able to somewhat save face by winning the final three ballgames of the season series.
“We ran into damage this series,” said PawSox manager Kevin Boles after his club dropped its fifth straight game and eighth straight at McCoy Stadium.
Syracuse (41-67) built a 5-0 lead with a fourrun fifth inning and held on despite Pawtucket’s late surge, which included a solo home run in the ninth inning from outfielder Brian Bogusevic, who finished with two hits and scored twice. It was his seventh home run.
“He looked like he was missing arm side against right-handed hitters. He did a nice job of settling himself after his command wavered a little bit.” – Kevin Boles
“It’s good to get him back in a groove after being on the disabled list (last Friday),” Boles said. “He’s a guy who plays hard.”
PawSox starter Shawn Haviland got off to a strong start, allowing just one run through four innings. The run came in the first inning as Neftali Soto blasted his 10th home run.
In the fifth, Chiefs third baseman Michael Almanzar connected for an RBI single to double the lead to 2-0. Two batters later, leadoff man Zach Collier supplied an RBI double to make it 3-0, and second baseman Irving Falu then drilled a two-run blast to right field.
In total, Haviland was touched for five runs on nine hits and a walk with three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. He fell to 6-7.
Marcus Walden was touched for one run in 2.2 innings while Robby Scott overcame a bases-loaded jam for a scoreless ninth inning. Scott walked two in the fame. The lefty was making his first appearance on the mound since getting optioned by the Red Sox on Monday.
“He looked like he was missing arm side against right-handed hitters,” Boles said. “He did a nice job of settling himself after his command wavered a little bit.”
PawSox first baseman Sam Travis (1-for-3, two RBIs and a walk BB) reached base twice, as did center fielder Rusney Castillo (2-for-4). Deven Marrero drove in a run with a double as part of Pawtucket’s three-run eighth inning.
Syracuse starter Jaron Long (3-4) turned in seven brilliant innings of three-hit ball. The right-hander allowed an infield single in the bottom of the first, a double in the fourth and merely a single in his seventh and final frame. Right-handed reliever Neil Ramirez finished off the sweep.
EXTRABASES: After missing three of the previous four games, outfielder Anuery Tavarez was placed on the disabled list on Thursday with right hand inflammation. It marks the third time this season that he’s landed on the DL with an injury related to his right hand. … Infielder/outfielder Tzu-Wei Lin was given the day off on Thursday. “With him and Marrero, we’ve got to build them up a little bit. You can’t play them every day because they were part-time players in Boston,” Boles said. “We’re picking our spots and we’ve got the inventory to do that.” … The PawSox on Thursday ran into an out at third base that ended the eighth – with Bryce Brentz representing the tying run in the on-deck circle – and also bounced into three double plays. “We need to play a cleaner game,” Boles said. … The PawSox and NESN are pleased to announce they have continued their partnership that dates back to the 1988 season. For the 29th consecutive year, NESN will televise PawSox action from McCoy Stadium this month. The telecasts will take place on Monday, August 7 when the PawSox host Charlotte at 7:05 p.m. and then later during that homestand on Thursday, August 10 when Pawtucket plays Columbus at 7:05 p.m. PawSox radio broadcasters Josh Maurer and Will Flemming will handle play-by-play duties on the two NESN telecasts. … Congrats to Red Sox farm director Ben Crockett and his wife Krissy on the recent birth of their twin boys – Wesley and Jonathan. … The PawSox on Thursday will open a three-game road trip against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.