Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket takes game one of Governor's Cup

9/10 Cup of Coffee: As the last affiliate in action, Pawtucket kicked off the International League Finals on Tuesday night in front of their home crowd. 

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Pawtucket Red Sox 3, Durham Bulls (TB) 2

Edwin Escobar continued to pitch well as he tossed seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five to pick up the victory in game one of the Governor's Cup. Heath Hembree pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, collecting the save despite allowing a walk and two hits. 

The PawSox got off to a quick start, plating a run on a Travis Shaw RBI single in the first inning. In the second, Pawtucket expanded its lead to 2-0 on a Deven Marrero RBI single. Durham would tie the game in the top of the third, receiving a key two-out two RBI single off the bat of Mikie Mahtook.

Garin Cecchini's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third gave the PawSox back the lead, 3-2. Both teams bats remained quiet until the bottom of the ninth, when Durham attempted a rally. A leadoff single, a walk, and a one-out single loaded the bases for the Bulls. Hembree buckled down to strike out the next batter and secured the final out as Travis Shaw handled a well hit grounder to end the game.

Rusney Castillo, making his Pawtucket debut, went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts. Game two is this evening at 7:05 PM as Brian Johnson is scheduled to make his Triple-A debut. Johnson's fellow Portland Sea Dogs teammate, Eduardo Rodriguez has also been promoted to the PawSox for the duration of the Governor's Cup.  

Photo Credit: Edwin Escobar, for the Providence Journal by Louriann Mardo-Zayat.

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