FARM REPORT: Owens Gives Up Four in Loss

Taylor Rodgers limited the Pawtucket Red Sox to a first-inning run and hurled eight six-hit innings as the Rochester Red Wings took the first of a two-game series, 4-1.  Allen Craig’s RBI single in the opening inning proved to be the only damage the PawSox could do against Rogers.   The loss pushed Pawtucket below .500 for the first time in the 2015 season. After Deven Marrero doubled with one out in the first, Craig plated him with a two-out line drive to left field.  Bryce Brentz then hit a deep fly to the track in center field; after it was caught at the track, Rogers settled in for the long haul. 

Pawtucket starter Henry Owens (2-4) worked around a leadoff walk in the first and sent down the Wings in order in the second.  In the third, however, Rochester broke through for four runs. 

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James Beresford opened the frame with a single to right and scored when Eric Fryer doubled to left-center.  Doug Bernier then walked for the second time in the game; he would walk again in the fifth and at that time had seen 22 of Owens’ 84 pitches. 

With two on and no out, Reynaldo Rodriguez doubled to left and made it 2-1 Rochester.  Oswaldo Arcia’s ground-out to second scored Bernier, and it was 4-0 Rochester when Rodriguez scored on a Kennys Vargas sacrifice fly.

From that point forward, Rogers allowed just four hits and a walk. Rogers was allowed to start the ninth, but was lifted when the lefthander allowed an infield hit to Travis Shaw.   Red Wings’ closer Michael Tonkin came on and retired the next three PawSox (27-28) hitters to earn his sixth save. 

Owens struck out seven over five innings; he allowed just four hits and the four third-inning runs with three walks. Jonathan Aro authored two scoreless frames and Noe Ramirez struck out the side in the eighth. 

Allen Craig and Travis Shaw each had a pair of hits, and Jackie Bradley extended his hitting streak to nine with an eighth-inning single. 

The finale of the series is scheduled for a 7:05  P.M. first pitch on Friday night.  Right-hander Zeke Spruill (3-1, 4.03) is expected to start for the PawSox while the Red Wings counter with lefty Pat Dean (5-3, 2.36).  Radio coverage on 920 AM (WHJJ) and also streaming online begins at 6:50 P.M. 

The PawSox return home on Monday, June 8th to welcome Charlotte at the beginning of a seven-game homestand. Good seats are still available at the McCoy Stadium box office, by calling (401) 724-7300 or by visiting pawsox.com.