Red Barons roll to sixth straight win

Scranton's 5-2 victory last night proved just how far apart the two teams really are.

By the time the fourth inning rolled around, the Lynx (53-83) had left runners stranded on third base on three separate occasions.

By the time Ottawa came through with some timely hitting in the ninth inning, it was too late.

The Red Barons (75-62) scored runs in clutch situations, winning their sixth straight game and cutting the magic number to four to clinch the North pennant with a 5-2 win Wednesday night at JetForm Park.

The Red Barons hit in the clutch from the first inning.

With two outs, Scott Mitchell walked Billy McMillon, gave up a single to Pat Burrell and a double to Torey Lovullo to score McMillon.

Lovullo's double made him the first Red Baron to drive in 100 runs in a season.

"It's a milestone," Lovullo said. "All the players try to reach them, but now I have to put it aside and help my team win."

Lovullo did just that, collecting his 101st and 102nd RBIs in the eighth as he drilled a two-run home run to left field.

"I had personal goals at the beginning of the season," Lovullo said. "But my biggest (goal) was to be on a winning team."

He is close to that, as the team sliced its magic number. Pawtucket remained alive, three games back, with a 4-1 win over Syracuse, which dropped five games off the pace.

Adam Eaton (1-1) collected his first win as a Red Baron allowing one run on five hits and striking out four in seven innings.

Bobby Estalella hit his 13th home run.

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