HIGHLIGHTS: Yankees starter Kei Igawa improved to 4-4 with a solid 7 2/3 innings of work. He allowed just two runs on eight hits with no walks and four strikeouts. “He looked good,” said PawSox manager Ron Johnson. “He was really good. He threw strikes with all his pitches and got ahead. We really didn’t do a lot.” Pawtucket starter Devern Hansack (2-6) struggled with his command early and allowed all four of his runs in the first two innings. He was solid the rest of the way, surrendering only two more hits through the sixth inning. He walked two and struck out eight. … Dusty Brown hit his second home run in as many games. The Pawtucket catcher hit a grand slam in Tuesday’s game.

KEY OF THE GAME: The Yankees scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning that proved crucial. Scranton’s Alberto Gonzalez provided a three-run single in the process as Pawtucket’s Jon Switzer allowed four runs on three hits and Chris Smith surrendered a run on three hits.

THEY SAID IT: “From the third inning to the sixth, he was filthy,” said Johnson, referring to Hansack’s outing. “Unfortunately, the outing was determined early.”

NOTES: The PawSox transferred reliever Miguel Asencio to Portland after Tuesday’s game. Pawtucket is one under the roster limit, with 23 active players.

UP NEXT: Justin Masterson will make his Triple-A debut for the PawSox tonight in the series finale against the Yankees. The 23-year-old right-hander was originally scheduled to start on Saturday in Durham, but was moved up in case the Red Sox need him to start at Fenway Park on Tuesday. He already has made two starts for Boston this season (1-0). Scranton will send Dan McCutchen (0-1, 4.26 ERA) to the mound.

jmcdonal@projo.com