Pawsox drop 14-inning game to Durham

Saturday, September 14, 2013

GoLocal Sports Team

Now, it's win or go home.

After taking the first game of the International League Governors' Cup series in Durham against the Bulls, the Pawtucket Red Sox find themselves with a chance to even their best-of-five series with a win at McCoy Stadium Saturday.

Or, they can call it a season.

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In front of 4548 fans at McCoy Friday night, it took 14 innings before either team managed to score a run.  Durham scored two unearned runs in the top of the 14th inning and made those hold up for a 2-0 win over the Pawsox, giving the Bulls a 2-1 lead in the series.

Ryan Rowland-Smith pitched flawlessly for 2.2 innings to take the game into the 14th still 0-0. Chris Carpenter came in to pitch the 14th and got the lead-off man on a strikeout. Kevin Kiemaier then hit a fly ball to right that was dropped by Bryce Brentz resulting in a three base error. After an intentional walk put runners on the corners, Tim Beckham hit a ground ball to second base. Brock Holt would fire home to an unoccupied plate allowed Kiermaier to score the game's first run. After another walk put runners on the corners again with one out, Jason Bourgeois hit into an RBI fielder's choice pushing the 2nd run across making it 2-0.

The two teams combined for 21 walks, 33 strikeouts and 33 men left on base. Game 3 was a pitcher's duel from the outset on Friday night between PawSox starter Matt Barnes and Bulls' starter Matt Buschmann. Barnes would retire the lead-off man in the 6th before issuing a one out walk to end his outing 5.1 scoreless innings allowing just four hits with seven strikeouts. He threw 91 pitches.

The series will continue at McCoy Stadium for Game 4 of the Governors' Cup Finals Saturday night at 6:05pm with the PawSox needing a win to keep their season alive. Pawtucket will send Charlie Haeger (1-0, 0.00) to the mound against righty Merrill Kelly (1-0, 0.00) of the Bulls. Games 5 would be at McCoy Sunday at 1:05pm if necessary.

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