•THE HIGHLIGHTS: Matt Carson hit a two-run homer off the top of the scoreboard in left field as the Yankees did all of their scoring in the first three innings. After a three-run first, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre closed the scoring on a solo homer by Cody Ransom with one out in the third. Kei Igawa and three relievers then shut out the PawSox on six hits. Mark Melancon struck out three in two scoreless innings to finish up the shutout. “Melancon was throwing 94, 95 (mph) with a hammer and a changeup,” PawSox manager Ron Johnson said. “When he’s throwing strikes with stuff like that, you’re going to have a hard time coming back.”

•KEY TO THE GAME: The PawSox continued to struggle offensively. They have scored only four runs while losing three straight to the Yankees, but the problem extends back further. The PawSox have been shut out three times and held to two or fewer runs nine times in their last 24 games. During that time, the PawSox are 12-12 to go from six games ahead in the I.L. North Division to 1½ games back. “We’ve played them four nights now and with the exception of the first night when we got six in the eighth, we haven’t had much offense,” Johnson said.

•REHAB RUNDOWN: When Michael Bowden took the mound to start the bottom of the third, he was already the fourth pitcher used by the PawSox. Jose Vaquedano was needed to help get Bartolo Colon and David Aardsma through two innings. Original plans called for Colon to pitch two innings and Aardsma one on their injury-rehabilitation assignments. Colon, who was also on a 35-pitch limit, had thrown 32 when he was pulled with two outs in the first inning, after allowing three runs on four hits and a walk. “The best thing is there were no physical issues,” Johnson said of Colon. “I’m not too concerned with the numbers.” Aardsma stranded two runners in the first, then came out of the game with two outs in the second after issuing two walks.

•PROSPECT WATCH: Bowden gave up one run on three hits in six innings to lower his PawSox earned-run average from 5.17 to 4.15. Bowden walked three and struck out one.

•NEXT UP: The PawSox continue their series at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a game tonight at 7:05.