Paw Sox Pluck Hens in Series Finale

While everyone prepares to celebrate Memorial Day, over at McCoy Stadium, the festivities kicked off with a series-ending match up between the Pawtucket Red Sox and Toledo Mud Hens. In this one, the final score was 7-4 in favor of the Paw Sox, who took the series 3-1.

Brandon Duckworth took to the mound for the Paw Sox. He struggled for most of the game, getting into tough jams in the 1st, then loading the bases up in the 4th inning. In 5 innings of work, Duckworth gave up 7 hits, walked 4, and 2 runs (both earned) while striking out 4 Hens, all on 95 pitches. Duckworth also included some handy field work, initiating a 1-3 double-play in the 2nd inning and a rundown (1-3-6-1-2-3) double-play that got him out of a jam in the 3rd inning. However, after all that work, Duckworth ended up with a No-Decision.

Pitcher Clayton Mortenson took the victory for Pawtucket, his 3rd of the season. He went 2 innings, giving up 4 hits, 2 runs, no walks, and one strikeout on 30 pitches. Reliever Will Inman picked up the save in the 9th inning, his 3rd of the season. On the offensive side of the plate, 1B Lars Anderson led the way. He went 3 for 3 with 2 home runs, 3 RBIs and a walk. Fellow Paw Sox teammates SS Pedro Ciriaco, 3B Nate Spears, and LF Alex Hassan also contributed to the scoring with home run each.

Interestingly enough, Boston Red Sox Outfielder Darnell McDonald was in the lineup for today’s game, going 0 for 4.  He is down at Pawtucket for a 20-day injury rehab assignment along with fellow Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is still on a injury rehab assignment with the Paw Sox.

The Paw Sox will finish their 8-game home stand with a 4-game series against the visiting Norfolk Tide. The first game of the series will be on Memorial Day, first pitch at 4:05 p.m. Taking the mound for the Paw Sox is RHP Doug Mathias (3-2, 4.23) as he will square off against the Tide’s RHP Zack Clark (NR). 

-Ryan Fox

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