WBOB Original Reads

PawSox: PawSox Steam by Chiefs for Comeback Victory

7/15/2018

Ryan L. Fox

After taking two out of the first three games of the weekend series, including a 4-0 shutout on Saturday night, the Pawtucket Red Sox looked to take the series finale on Sunday against the Syracuse Chiefs.

Taking the mound for the PawSox in the series finale was RHP Josh A. Smith (2-2, 6.30) while the Chiefs countered with their own righty, RHP John Simms (2-4, 4.06).

For the early part of the game, both teams were held off the scoreboard. Although the Chiefs made some noise in the top 2nd inning with getting the first two men into scoring position, Smith got a crucial strikeout and then an impressive defensive gem by 3B Janzen Witte ended the Chiefs scoring threat.

However in the top 3rd inning, the Chiefs were able to get on the scoreboard first thanks to an RBI double to 3B RBI Adrian Sanchez for the 1-0 early lead. Three innings later in the top 6th inning, LF Yadiel Hernandez continued to plague the PawSox as he hit a solo home run to left (his second home run of the series) off of PawSox RHP Fernando Rodriguez Jr. to make it 2-0.

Then in the bottom 6th inning, PawSox LF Aneury Tavarez hit the ball to the left. Sanchez fielded the ball but ended up overthrowing teammate 1B Jose Marmolejos as Tavarez made it all the way to third. However Sanchez ended up getting injured on the play and had to be helped off the field with 3B Chris Dominguez taking over at the corner. Tavarez himself was able to come home from third from an RBI single by teammate 2B Tony Renda to cut the Chiefs’ lead to 2-1.

In the bottom 7th inning, the PawSox were able to get men at the corners (SS Ivan De Jesus Jr. & 3B Janzen Witte) with 2 outs in the inning. Then facing a 1-1 count, RF Cole Sturgeon hit a blooper to left field that scored De Jesus Jr. from third to tie the game up at 2-2.

The PawSox had a chance to win it in the bottom 9th inning. After getting on base with a leadoff walk, CF Kyle Wren advanced to third thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Witte and fielder’s choice by S. After getting to third with 2 outs, C Dan Butler was at the plate. However he ended up popping out to Dominguez as the game went into extra innings.

In the top 10th inning, the Chiefs had C Tuffy Gosewisch starting off on second base. After a sac bunt by teammate SS Bengie Gonzalez, Gosewisch came home on a deep sac fly by teammate RF Matt Reynolds as the Chiefs got the 3-2 lead.

The PawSox answered back in the bottom 10th inning as they had backup INF Johnathan Ortega starting off on second base in place of Butler. After a sac bunt by Tavarez moved Ortega to third as he came home on an RBI single Renda to center to tie the game back at 3-3. Then 1B Adam Lind came up to bat. Facing a 1-1 count, Lind crushed the ball deep to right to not only score the winning run but give his team the 5-3 come-from-behind victory.

After the game, PawSox manager Kevin Boles spoke with the media. He talked about his team’s performance during the game, the pitching performance of starter Josh A. Smith, and more.