Jeremi Gonzalez shuts out Louisville on two hits through seven innings, but Pawtucket loses the series finale when the Bats score an unearned run in the eighth.

01:00 AM EDT on Friday, April 15, 2005

BY JEFF ROBINSON
Special to the Journal

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville spoiled a seven-inning, two-hit performance last night by Pawtucket Red Sox right-hander Jeremi Gonzalez and posted a 1-0 victory by scoring an unearned run in the eighth inning in the finale of a four-game series at Louisville Slugger Field.

The PawSox, heading home after a 2-8 road trip, split their series with the Bats.

Louisville managed only three baserunners until Chris Narveson (0-1) relieved Gonzalez in the eighth. The left-hander walked leadoff batter Luis Lopez, who advanced to second on a bunt by A.J. Zapp. Dane Sardinha then hit a checked-swing single to right. Lopez stopped at third, but continued home when right fielder Justin Sherrod mishandled the ball for an error. It was the first run Pawtucket had surrendered in 14 innings.

Narveson is a starter who had been scheduled to pitch Tuesday but was held back because of the flu. He will start Sunday against Buffalo.

Louisville closer Ricky Stone (1-1), who relieved starter Elizardo Ramirez in the eighth, also set down Pawtucket in the ninth to notch the win.

"Our last three days were outstanding, and it is nice to see these guys (pitchers) come around," PawSox manager Ron Johnson said. "That was a great game out there tonight. It was well pitched by both sides, with good defense, but very little hitting. They got one guy in scoring position and got a hit and we didn't."

Gonzalez didn't allow a hit until the fourth, when Bats cleanup man Rob Stratton legged out a single on a slow roller to third. Stratton had both of Louisville's hits off Gonzalez.

Pawtucket managed only four singles over the first seven inningsoff Ramirez.

The two right-handers took their scoreless duel through seven innings and handed the game off to their respective bullpens in the eighth.

Gonzalez was anything but overpowering -- he didn't strike out a batter until the sixth -- but his off-speed pitch and curveball frustrated Louisville.

"That's the way I like to pitch," said Gonzalez, who threw 78 pitches (52 for strikes) in seven innings. "I like to keep it around 80 or 90 pitches and let the defense play behind me. I'd rather do that than throw 120 pitches and get a bunch of strikeouts."

Johnson said Gonzalez's performance was just what he expected.

"This guy has a good arm and has some time in the big leagues," Johnson said. "He was outstanding, and we are hoping he has an opportunity to help out our major-league team."

Pawtucket's only threat came in seventh, when Jeff Bailey led off with a double into the left-field corner. He advanced to third on a grounder to second by Luis Figueroa but was thrown out at the plate by Lopez on Tim Hummel's checked-swing chopper to shortstop.

In seven innings, Ramirez allowed four hits and walked none. He has not walked a batter in 14 innings this season.

Pawtucket plays defending Governor's Cup champion Buffalo in its home opener tonight (7:05). It will be the PawSox' latest home-opener since 1993.

First-year manager Johnson said he is looking forward to his first game at McCoy Stadium.

"I have managed in spring training and on the road but have never managed at home," he said. "We have stayed in some nice hotels, but I am ready to go home. It has been a tough eight days. We had a tough time in Indianapolis, but we were able to get a split in Louisville, and we can go home with some momentum and get some home cooking and take it from there."