By Josh Maurer & Will Flemming

Following a dominating performance by Doug Mathis who surrendered just one hit (a triple) over seven innings, the PawSox wrap up this four-game series — and an eight-game roadtrip — in foggy Norfolk this afternoon.

Despite losing four of its last five games, Pawtucket still owns the best record in the International League at 28–18 and has the most road wins of any club with 14. All that said, just 1.5 games separates first and third place in the North (Lehigh -1.0, Buffalo -1.5).

We will likely see a heavy dosage of the PawSox bullpen this afternoon with reliever Tony Pena Jr. making his second spot-start of the season. Daisuke Matsuzaka was today’s scheduled starter but has been temporarily shutdown after receiving an injection for a sore right trapezius muscle, located in the upper back.

Dice-K will resume his rehab from Tommy John surgery, but at this time it’s unclear when he will start pitching again. (Kelly O’Connor)

Dice-K was scheduled to end his rehab assignment tomorrow, but it is unknown when he will start pitching again. In five minor league starts (three with the PawSox), the righty surrendered 13 earned runs on 25 hits over 25 ⅓ innings, including six homers.

Pena (0–3, 5.95) made his last spot-start on May 3 at Toledo and picked up the loss surrendering three runs on seven hits over three innings. Interestingly, it was not his longest outing of the year. On April 15, Pena tossed 3 ⅓ innings at Buffalo using up a season-high 75 pitches in long relief.

A former starting shortstop of the Royals, Pena played in 134 games for Kansas City between 2008–09 before being converted into a full-time pitcher.

First pitch today from Harbor Park is scheduled for 12:15, we hit the air at 12:00.

Talk with you then.

-AG

@aaronmgoldsmith

agoldsmith@pawsox.com