THE HIGHLIGHTS: The PawSox teed off on left-hander Francisco Liriano, the former Minnesota Twins phenom on the comeback trail from Tommy John elbow surgery. Pawtucket rocked Liriano for four runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. The key blow was a two-run homer to left in the third inning by left fielder Jeff Bailey, his third of the year.

Knuckleballer Charlie Zink (3-1) didn't allow a hit until Jason Pridie singled with one out in the fifth and held the Red Wings to two runs (one earned) and four hits over six innings. Chris Smith allowed one hit over three innings to record his first save.

Every PawSox batter in the starting lineup reached base, and all but DH George Kottaras and first baseman Sandy Madera recorded base hits. Pawtucket banged out nine hits to five for Rochester.

KEY TO THE GAME: The PawSox went down in order in the first against Liriano, then jumped all over the pitcher, who was an American League All-Star in 2006 when he went 12-3 with a 2.16 earned-run average for the Twins. They scored one run in the second, two in the third and one in the fifth.

PROSPECT WATCH: PawSox second baseman Keith Ginter entered the day batting just .230, but he reached base all five times, with two walks, two doubles and a single. His RBI double in the fifth inning made it 4-0 and was the final blow against Liriano. Ginter was selected in the 10th round of the 1998 draft by the Houston Astros and has seen big-league time with the Astros, Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A's. He raised his average to .256.

THEY SAID IT: "He [Liriano] definitely doesn't have his fastball like he used to,'' PawSox shortstop and former Red Wing Gil Velazquez said. "That's what sets up all his pitches. He was throwing 96-97 when I played with him, and his slider was 91, 92. He had filthy stuff, and he doesn't have that anymore. I never felt [today] he could beat me with his fastball.''

NEXT GAME: The PawSox begin the final leg of their nine-game swing through upstate New York tonight at 7 at Alliance Bank Stadium. Right-hander Devern Hansack (0-3, 11.05) starts for Pawtucket. Syracuse's starter has not been announced.