PAWTUCKET — They played nine innings, but the Pawtucket Red Sox needed only two.

The PawSox scored eight runs on nine hits in the first inning, and two runs on two hits in the second inning off Syracuse Chiefs starter Josh Banks en route to a 10-4 victory last night at McCoy Stadium.

In the bottom of the first, the PawSox batted around as Pawtucket’s No. 1 and No. 2 hitters — Jacoby Ellsbury and Joe McEwing — combined for 4 hits, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. The PawSox also collected five doubles in the first inning.

After the Chiefs scored two in the top of the second courtesy of a two-run blast by Chiefs’ Erik Kratz, Pawtucket added two more in the bottom half as Jeff Bailey and Brandon Moss hit back-to-back solo home runs to right field, the first time this season the PawSox hit consecutive round-trippers.

On the mound, the PawSox’ Kason Gabbard earned the win after working 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits with five strikeouts.

It was only five days ago when Gabbard made a spot-start for the Boston Red Sox and posted a victory over the Atlanta Braves. He was told afterward he was being optioned back to Pawtucket in order to make his next scheduled start and he made the most of it last night.

“I felt good and felt that I had good stuff,” Gabbard said. “I made two bad pitches the whole game, and I was working out of jams pretty much the whole game. Overall, I’m happy with the outcome and it’s a lot easier to pitch when we score 10 runs in the first inning.”

The southpaw improves to 4-1 this season for Pawtucket and manager Ron Johnson realizes what Gabbard’s week has been like.

“The guy has had a real emotional week,” the skipper said. “He went up and pitched good in Boston and got the win, so it was nice to see him have a good week.”

With the exception of Chad Spann, everyone in the PawSox lineup registered at least a hit. McEwing led the way with three hits and two RBI.

Timlin begins rehab

Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin began his rehab assignment with the PawSox last night and worked the seventh inning. The veteran right-hander, who was placed on the disabled list on May 3 with tendonitis in his right shoulder, threw 16 pitches (seven strikes) walked one and made an error. He’s scheduled to work one inning again for Pawtucket tomorrow.

“I’m feeling good,” said Timlin. “Everything is sound. My shoulder is sound and my strength is there. My confidence is there and I’m throwing strikes. I’m probably, as most sinker-ball pitchers are, not tired enough. When you throw a sinker, you need to have a certain tiredness in your arm for the feel of the sinker, and I don’t quite have that yet.”

Wayne Lydon led off the inning for Syracuse and hit a chopper down the first-base line. Timlin made the play, but hit Lydon in the back with the ball trying to throw to first. He was given an error on the play.

“I made a bad play, a bad decision,” said Timlin. “It was a fairly easy play, I just didn’t plant my feet right.”

Timlin walked the next batter and got a little help from his defense on the following hitter, who hit a chopper up the middle that PawSox second baseman Joe McEwing grabbed and turned an unassisted double play. Timlin got the next hitter to ground out to McEwing to end the inning.

“I was a little nervous,” said Timlin. “I was probably a little more nervous than I was when I was with these guys in Charlotte just because I haven’t been on the mound since May 1 and haven’t faced a hitter.”

Timlin began the season with the PawSox while rehabbing a left-oblique strain and made two appearances at Charlotte on April 5 and 7, when he allowed one run in two innings pitched. He was recalled to Boston on April 10.

jmcdonal@projo.com