PawSox: The Evil Empire Strikes Back

Ryan L. Fox

Early in the week, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Pawtucket Red Sox began a 4-game series. The RailRiders were looking to get their first victory of the season at McCoy while the PawSox were looking to continue their winning ways at home this week.  
 
RHP Chandler Shepherd (2-3, 4.21) took to the mound for Pawtucket, looking to continue the winning streak over the RailerRiders going. He faced off against RailRiders pitcher and the #3 New York Yankees farm prospect LHP Justus Sheffield (0-1, 2.16).
 
Earlier in the week, the PawSox took Games 1 and 2 of the series on the scores of 5-4 and 7-6 respectively. Both games featured the team coming back from large deficits. However on Wednesday night, in front of 5,260 fans, the Evil Empire struck back.

---

---

​The RailRiders got on the scoreboard first thanks to an RBI single by 3B Brandon Drury to score teammate LF Tyler Wade from second. Drury himself was able to advance to second due in part to PawSox SS Tzu-Wei Lin overthrowing teammate 1B Sam Travis for the error. However Shepherd got the next batter to ground out to 2B Dustin Pedroia to end the inning. 

Then in the top of the 4th inning, the RailRiders were able to knock around Shepherd. First 2B Billy Felming drove in teammate DH Billy McKinney to make it 2-0. Then SS Rey Navarro drove in Fleming and teammate RF Ryan McBroom on a single up the middle to push the lead to 4-0. 

RHP Brandon Workman then came in on relief for Pawtucket as he got the next two batters he faced out via strikeout and flyout left to center field. 

On the bases, the PawSox were able to get onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the 5th inning thanks in part to a sac fly RBI by RF Anuery Tavarez to make it 4-1. However they were shut out for the remainder of the game.

The RailRiders poured it on in the later innings via the long ball. A solo home run by RF Ryan McBroom in the top of the 8th and then a 2-run shot by 1B Greg Bird push the lead to 7-1 and that’s where the final score stood. After getting swept on 

Sheffield ended up picking up the no-decision for the RailRiders, going 4 innings while giving up 3 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 5 PawSox batters. Reliever RHP Tommy Kanhle, on an MLB injury rehab assignment, picked up the win going just 1 inning while giving up 2 hits and a run. 

On the PawSox side, Shepherd was hit with the loss. He ended up going 3.1 innings of work, giving up 7 hits, 4 runs (all were earned), walking 1 batter, and then striking out 4 more on 78 pitches (51 for strikes). Only SS Tzu-Wei Lin and C Dan Butler had multiple hits for the team (Lin was 3-for-5 while Butler was 3-for-4). 

Still on his rehab assignment, Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia played 7 innings, all at second base. With the glove, he looked ready on his feet. He contributed on 2 assists as well as got 1 putout of his own. At the plate, Pedroia went 0-for-3 with a walk. He ran out two groundouts at top speed, showing no sign of being hampered by his left knee.

After the game, PawSox manager Kevin Boles spoke with the media. He discussed the rehab process of Pedroia, Pawtucket’s upcoming games, the performance of his bullpen, and more.

Also Pedroia spoke with the media about his current rehab status.

Click Play to Listen

Click Play to Listen

---

Read More 990WBOB

• Feroce Claims Raimondo's "Socialist Business Model" Sets Dangerous Precedent​
  
• PawSox Profile: Beeks and You Shall Find
  
• The Rotunda: Firing On All Cylinders
  
• ​Psycho Sports: Bleeding Boston Green