In The Silo: PawSox Prevail In Extra Innings

The Pawtucket Red Sox survived a late-inning comeback by the Charlotte Knights (CWS) this evening in North Carolina.

The Sox surrendered a 4-0 lead in the eighth inning, fell behind by a run, and then rallied to tie the game in the ninth and ultimately, win in twelve innings, 6-5.

Pawtucket hurler Randor Bierd made his second consecutive appearance as a starter, and provided his ballclub with a second straight outstanding effort. 

The right-hander tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings, allowing just three hits and walking no one.  He struck out five.

The offense staked him to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. 

Three consecutive singles loaded the bases with one out. Left fielder Chris Duncan drove in the first run with a grounder to first base. Then, first baseman Aaron Bates (pictured) singled home the second run.

Bates doubled the lead in the fifth inning with his third home run of the season, a two-run shot to center field.

The Knights then scored five times in the eighth inning to take the lead.

Right-handed pitcher Hunter Jones, who had retired the first five batters that faced him, couldn’t get anyone out in the eighth. 

He faced five batters, and all reached base (a single, home run, walk and two doubles).

Marcus McBeth relieved Jones with no one out and the lead run at second base.

McBeth retired two of the next three batters, but ultimately surrendered a run-scoring single to catcher Tyler Flowers as Charlotte took a 5-4 lead.

The PawSox tied it in the ninth on back-to-back doubles by left fielder Bubba Bell and catcher Mark Wagner.  T

hey won the game in the twelfth inning on a double by Duncan, a fielders choice and a passed ball.

T.J. Large pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win.

The series continues tomorrow night at 7:15 PM. RHP Michael Bowden will face former major leaguer Freddy Garcia. The game will be broadcast on WHJJ-Providence (920 AM).