PawSox take 2 game lead in division

(WPRI) - The Pawtucket Red Sox snapped a 3-3 tie in the top of the eighth inning in Georgia on Monday night, scoring three times and rolling to a 7-3 win.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley lost both ends of a doubleheader, and as a result, Pawtucket has a 2 game lead in the North Division.

The PawSox took an early lead. Ryan Lavarnway hit his thirtieth homer of the year (14 in Portland) in the first and Daniel Nava added a solo shot in the second. Hector Luna chipped in with an RBI single to make it 3-0. In the bottom of the third, the Braves tied it at 3-3, highlighted by a two run homer off the bat of Stefan Gartrell.

The score remained tied until there were 2 outs in the eighth. Nate Spears knocked in what proved to be the game winner with a single. Jose Iglesias added a two run double to make it 6-3. Luna added another RBI single in the ninth.

Brandon Duckworth didn't figure in the decision. He worked 6 innings, allowing three runs, striking out 6. Tommy Hottovy (2-0) earned the win, retiring all 4 hitters he faced. Scott Atchison and Michael Bowden finished it up for Pawtucket (70-52)

The PawSox return to McCoy on Tuesday for their penultimate homestand. West-leading Columbus comes in for a 4 game series. Jeanmar Gomez (10-5, 2.45) faces Felix Doubront (1-3, 3.14).