By Josh Cook
Travis Wood had one of his best outings of the season, but it wasn't enough Tuesday night for the Louisville Bats.
That's because Louisville was limited to only four hits and shutout for the second time in its four-game series at Pawtucket in a 2-0 loss to the Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Rhode Island. It was marked the seventh time this season the Bats have been shutout.
Wood (4-5), who allowed only four hits and one earned run while striking out 10 over seven innings, was outdueled by Pawtucket starter Michael Bowden (2-3), who gave up three hits while striking out four over 7 2/3 innings. Robert Manuel pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for his eighth save of the season to drop the Bats (30-36) to 6-8 in June.
The Red Sox (29-37) scored twice in the bottom of the third against Wood, but only one run was earned.
Wood started the inning by walking Gustavo Molina then gave up back-to-back singles to Jorge Jimenez and Bubba Bell. The next batter Niuman Romero grounded to Wood, who threw home for the force out. However Louisville catcher Wilkin Castillo threw errantly to first, as the ball ricocheted off Romero, which allowed Jimenez to score.
Tug Hulett followed with a sacrifice fly to score Bell and make it 2-0.
Castillo, Zack Cozart, Drew Sutton and Juan Francisco, in just his second game back from an appendectomy, each had a hit for Louisville.
The Bats have an off day on Wednesday for travel before beginning an eight-game homestand at Louisville Slugger Field at 7:05 p.m. Thursday night against Durham. Right-hander Chad Reineke is slated to go for Louisville against left-hander Heath Phillips. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Budweiser Game Time Happy Hour. From then until 7 p.m. fans can enjoy $1 Bud and Bud Lights.
