WBOB Original Reads

PawSox: A Hump Day Matinee

5/16/2018

Ryan L. Fox

There is nothing quite like some baseball in the morning. After their Tuesday night game was postponed to a later date due to rain, the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Buffalo Bisons took to the diamond for a Wednesday morning matinee game. Taking the mound for the PawSox was RHP William Cuevas (1-2, 3.69) as he was going against Bisons ace RHP Chris Rowley (3-1, 1.93). However those who thought the Tuesday’s rainout would hamper the offensive fireworks, they were pleasantly surprised.

The Buffalo Bisons jumped on Cuevas early in the first inning. Bisons RF Dalton Pompey hit a single on 0-2 to get on base as then teammate 2B Deon Travis followed up with a 2-run home run to left to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead. After 1B Rowdy Tellez got on with a check-swing double (he checked his swing and ended up hitting a double) he scored two batters on a fielder’s choice RBI by SS Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to extend the lead to 3-0. Cuevas then struck out the next two Bisons batters to end the inning.

However the PawSox were able to chip into the lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning thanks to a solo home run by 1B Sam Travis to make the score 3-1. Then in the bottom of the 2nd inning after LF Aneury Tavarez got on base via single, RF Rusney Castillo hit an RBI double to score Tavarez to make it 3-2. Then the next batter, C Mike Ohlman, hit a 2-run home run to left to give the PawSox a 4-3 lead.

Then in the top of the 4th, Cuevas ran into a small bump. After getting the first two Bisons batters to ground out, he gave up two straight hits including an RBI double to Bisons CF Roemon Fields to tie things up 4-4. However he was able to pick off Pompey trying to steal 3rd to end the inning.

Since the top 4th inning, the game went scoreless as both teams could not make any leeway against the opposite pitcher. The closest either team had up to that point was in the top of the 8th inning when the Bisons had runners at the corners and 2 outs in the inning against PawSox RHP Fernando Rodriguez. However Fernando got Bisons 3B Jason Leblebijian to strike out to end the inning.

Then in the top of the 9th inning, after getting on base via walk, Bisons CF Roemon Fields advanced to third on a stolen base and error by PawSox C Mike Ohlman. Then it was Pompey who plated Fields via a sac fly to center to give the Bisons the late 5-4. The PawSox tried to rally in the bottom of the 9th inning, loading up the bases with two outs. However Castillo flew out to center to end the game.

Cuevas was handed the no decision for the game. He went 6 innings, giving up 4 runs (all earned) on 6 hits while walking 1 Bisons batter and striking out 4 more on 88 pitches (64 for strikes). The loss was given to RHP Ryan Braiser, who pitched the 9th inning. He just had the 1 inning pitched, 1 walk, 1 run (it was unearned), and 1 walk on 18 pitches (9 for strikes).

After the game, PawSox skipper Kevin Boles sat down with the media, talking about the performance about Cuevas, his team's defense (they committed 4 errors during the game) and more.

Rehab notes: Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia was not in today’s lineup. He will make his next rehab start on Friday in Rochester against the Rochester Red Wings.