Bowden tosses gem in losing effort

A strong start from Michael Bowden and 10 hits from the offense were not enough for Pawtucket, which fell to Buffalo 4-1. Bowden went the first 7.0 innings giving up only 1 run on 6 hits. He struck out 6 and did not walk a batter. Hunter Jones (2-3) did not fare as well, as he went the final inning giving up 3 runs on 2 hits and a walk to take the loss, although he did strike out 2. The top three hitters in the Pawtucket order, Brian Anderson, Travis Denker, and Chris Carter, each went 2 for 4, with Anderson netting 2 doubles and Carter collecting the Red Sox' lone RBI.

In an even less impressive offensive performance, Portland managed just 3 hits and fell to Reading by a score of 2-0. Ryne Lawson (2-9) started for the Sea Dogs and allowed both Phillies runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 5.0 innings, striking out 2. Tommy Hottovy relieved him and fired 2.0 perfect innings, striking out 3. Chad Rhoades finished things off with a scoreless inning of his own. Josh Reddick and Reid Engel each doubled for Portland, and Jorge Jimenez chipped in a single to account for all the offense the Sea Dogs could muster.

Despite jumping out to an early lead and banging out 12 hits, Salem dropped a close one to Wilmington, 4-3. The first 5.0 innings of the night belonged to Kyle Weiland, who allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3. Armando Zerpa (0-2) followed him to the hill and allowed 2 runs of his own on 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3 but taking the loss. Jose Capellan pitched a perfect inning to close things out, striking out 1. Kris Negron led the Red Sox offense with 3 hits in 5 at-bats. Zach Borowiak, Chih-Hsien Chiang, and Daniel Nava each had 2 hits, including a double and an RBI, while Mike Jones went 2 for 3 with a triple and an RBI.

Greenville also got the lead early, but a 6-run Augusta seventh did the Drive in en route to a 7-3 loss. Continuing his fine season following his return from surgery, Nick Hagadone went the first 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings giving up 3 walks and striking out 2. Mike Lee (3-4) went the next 3.0 innings without giving up a run but ran into trouble in the seventh, when he was touched for 6 runs, giving up 5 hits to take the loss. He struck out 4 in all over 3.1 innings of work. Chad Povich pitched the final 1.2 innings and gave up a run of his own on 4 hits. Will Middlebrooks had another hot night at the dish, going 3 for 4 with a run scored. Casey Kelly also collected multiple hits, going 2 for 4 with a run scored as the Drive DH.

Determined not to allow Sox affiliates to go winless on the night, Lowell once again downed Tri-City by a score of 8-4. Alex Wilson pitched 3.0 perfect innings to start the night, striking out 1. Tom Ebert wasn't quite as successful, giving up 3 earned runs on 2 hits and a walk in his 2.0 innings. Charle Rosario (1-1) was on the mound when Lowell took the lead, tossing 2.0 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits, striking out 2 to earn the win. Michael Bugary struck out the side in a scoreless eighth, and Dennis Neuman struck out 2 in a scoreless ninth to preserve the win. With 3 hits, including a double, a triple, and 2 RBI, in 5 at-bats, Shannon Wilkerson led the Spinners offense. Derrick Gibson also went 3 for 5 and scored 2 runs, while Ronald Bermudez went 3 for 4. Drew Hedman went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI.

Player of the Night: Michael Bowden, who pitched 7.0 innings allowing only 1 run and striking out 6.

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