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June 14, 2007
PAWTUCKET -- PawSox starting pitcher David Pauley showed more of his burgeoning mound maturity last night, allowing just three hits and one run over six innings as Pawtucket claimed its fourth straight win, by taking the series opener against Richmond, 4-2.
Pauley, who turns 24 on Sunday, had his best off-speed stuff of the season, particularly on his breaking ball, which had been failing him for much of the year. He also showed calm under pressure -- something he said is new this year -- getting out of a jam in the sixth by taking a step back.
"I’ve just been keeping the game at my pace," Pauley said when asked of his recent success. He is now 4-0 with a 3.08 ERA over his last six starts, allowing just 12 earned runs over 35 1/3 innings. "When I have a situation with runners on, I take a step back (off the mound) and slow things down."
After giving up just one hit over the first five innings, Pauley allowed singles to centerfielder Gregor Blanco and second baseman Martin Prado to start the sixth. Though Blanco would score on consecutive groundouts, by Brayan Pena and Graham Koonce, the 6-foot-2 righthander finished off his night by striking out leftfielder Doug Clark.
"His breaking ball had depth and spin; it’s the best he’s had for us this year," manager Ron Johnson said.
"Definitely," Pauley agreed. "It’s something that’s not been there for me at all this season. It was nice for me to use it for strikes, and to use it for strikouts, too."
Pauley went from Portland to Boston last year, making his major league debut on May 31 against Toronto when David Wells left the rotation with a knee injury. He went 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA in three starts with the Red Sox before spending the rest of the season with Pawtucket. Though he’s gotten a taste of the bigs, Pauley is still learning his craft, and the mental aspect has been a big part of his development this season.
"Things are going well right now (but) it’s easy to talk well when things are going well. A few outings I’ve scuffled a bit and this year I’ve been able to get out of those spots when the team needs it," he said. "Last year I would have tried to rush to get an inning over (like last night’s sixth). This game, I stepped off and said, ’O.k., I have to make pitches and slow down the game.’"
Although he had thrown only 95 pitches through six, Johnson had to pull Pauley to get work for relievers Craig Breslow, Craig Hansen and Travis Hughes, none of whom had worked in a few days. But Pauley understood, and said he has "complete respect" for the way things go at this level.
The trio did their job; Breslow pitched a perfect seventh, though Hansen allowed a run in the eighth on a walk, hit batter and fielder’s choice. Hughes was perfect in the ninth.
Offensively, the runs were provided by one expected source and one that was not-so-expected.
Centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury had two RBI, giving him seven since joining the PawSox more than five weeks ago. His groundout in the third scored Bobby Scales, providing the first run of the night. In the next inning, he capped a three-run fourth with a double that painted the third-base line, scoring Jeff Bailey.
Pawtucket loaded the bases with none out to start the home half of the fourth. Catcher Kevin Cash and right fielder Brandon Moss drew walks to lead off, and a hard single to right by Bailey put a man on every bag. Designated hitter Michael Tucker scored Cash and Moss with a single up the middle, giving the Sox a 3-0 lead.
The PawSox’ win gives them a 10-3 record in June. The victory, coupled with Syracuse’s loss to Toledo, pulls them into a fourth-place tie with the SkyChiefs in the North division.
SHALISE MANZA-YOUNG
Posted by Chris Venditto 
at 11:10 PM to PawSox
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