PawSox win on Wagner's two home runs

Published Aug. 1, 2009 at 5:14 a.m.

Special to The Journal

THE HIGHLIGHTS: Mark Wagner's first two home runs of his Triple-A career paced Pawtucket to victory and prevented a series sweep. Both home runs came on 1-2 counts. Wagner's first shot gave the PawSox a 3-0 lead in the third. The second was a solo shot that extended the PawSox lead to 4-2 in the eighth. Brian Anderson, who scored on Wagner's first homer, got his first RBI as a PawSox when his double brought home Jeff Natale. PawSox right fielder Bubba Bell made a diving catch in the fourth inning that robbed Mike Lamb (3-for-4) of extra bases and would have surely allowed Chip Ambres to score from first base. Sox starter Billy Traber (7-5) got the win and Fernando Cabrera earned his 18th save. Both are former Bisons. The game was played in front of 17,788 fans, the biggest of the season at Coca-Cola Field.

WAGNER ON HIS HOME RUNS: "I normally don't look at it from an offensive point. I want to contribute with the bat, but I really try to take in the catching aspect first and foremost. If I can help get our (starting) pitcher through seven, eight innings, I feel like I'm helping pull my weight a little bit."

THEY SAID IT: "We answered their scoring. We hit the ball out of the ballpark and scored. It may not be a simple thing to do, but that's how you win a game," PawSox manager Ron Johnson said.

VICTOR MARTINEZ TRADE: "Any time you can acquire a bat like that and player of that ability, I think it's fantastic," Johnson said.

LOOKING AHEAD: The PawSox remain on the road as they head for weekend series against the I.L.-North Division leading Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Saturday's game will be a doubleheader with Game One slated for a 5:35. RHP Charlie Zink (5-11, 5.49 ERA) and LHP Kris Johnson (3-11, 5.49 ERA) are listed as the PawSox probable starters.

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