WBOB Original Reads

PawSox: Completing the Sweep

8/10/2017

PawSox SP Justin Haley took the mound in Wednesday night's match up against the Knights (Photo courtesy of the Pawtucket Red Sox (c) )

Ryan L. Fox

It was a tough week last week for the hometown Pawtucket Red Sox. They had lost 8 in a row and were falling out of playoff contention. That is until the Charlotte knights came to town. The PawSox were able to take the first two games of the series and were looking for the sweep in the series finale on Wednesday.

Taking the mound for the potential sweep was SP Justin Haley (1-0, 2.67), looking to get his first win of the season with the PawSox this season (his only victory was with the Rochester Red Wings). He was opposed by Knights SP Carson Fulmer (7-7, 5.56).

The PawSox were able to get on the board first with a 2 RBI single by DH Bryce Brentz to give the PawSox an early 2-0 lead. However the Knights were able to tie things up in the top of the 4th inning with a 2-run home run by RF Rymer Liriano before taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the 6th inning with a solo home run by LF Cody Asche.

However in the bottom of the inning, the PawSox were able to load all the bases via walks. They were able to tie things up with an RBI walk induced by 2B Mike Miller and then took a 4-3 lead on an RBI walk induced by C Dan Butler. They then extended the lead to 6-3 the following inning thanks to a two-run home run by RF Brian Bogusevic.

The Knights pulled within one run in the top of the 9th as 1B Casey Gillaspie hit a two-run home run off PawSox RHP Noe Ramirez to make it 6-5. Knights 2B Jake Peters followed that up with a single and represented the tying run. However Ramirez got Knights SS Eddy Alvarez to strike out looking for the final out and the series sweep.

This was the first home sweep for the Pawtucket Red Sox since June 6-8 when they swept the Syracuse Chiefs. Haley got the win for the home team, going 6.2 innings while giving up 5 hits, 3 runs (all earned), and recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts. Ramirez got the save, his 5th of the season.

After the game, PawSox skipper Kevin Boles spoke with the media about the game, the performance of Justin Haley, his team during the 3-games against the Knights, and much more.

*Bonus*: Justin Haley spoke with the media afterwards, talking about his start, rejoining the team, and other things as well.