Pawtucket Red Sox Win Governor's Cup

The Pawtucket Red Sox haven't won the International League title since 1984, but thanks to Thursday night's victory over Charlotte, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox swept their way to one. Nelson Figueroa was the winning pitcher in the effort, which Pawtucket took 4-1, powered by hits from six different batters, as well as RBI from four.

Figueroa continued what had been a strong effort of starting pitching from the PawSox, allowing just the one run. All told, Pawtucket gave up all of three runs in the three games, securing victories of 7-2, 2-0, and 4-1. Figueroa went six, punching out five without allowing a free pass, before the bullpen took over. That bullpen, by the way, failed to give up a single hit to Charlotte in these three games, and allowed just four baserunners total in 7-2/3 innings of work.

The offensive star of these International League playoffs was Bryce Brentz, who, in seven games, compiled a .333/.385/.792 line, with three doubles, a triple, and a homer along with five RBI and runs a piece. J.C. Linares did his share as well, hitting .333/.429/.667 with a pair of homers and six runs batted in.

This officially wraps up the International League season, and frees up a few other players for potential 40-man roster consideration, and therefore a call-up to the Red Sox. Alex Wilson is the most likely candidate if there were to be someone brand new, but Danny Valencia, Che-Hsuan Lin, Pedro Beato, and Zach Stewart, all already on the 40-man roster, might get the call as well.

That might all wait until after next Tuesday, though, since the PawSox will now face either the Omaha Storm Chasers or Reno Racers, currently tied one game each, in the Triple-A Championship game in Durham, North Carolina.