By Josh Maurer & Will Flemming

After a month of May that saw him hit .230 (20-for-87) with 12 runs batted in over 26 games, Alex Hassan has been surging through his first seven games of June. He has a team-leading 9 RBI this month and last night had his first four-hit game of the year.

Hassan, who has played in 53 games this season, has notched 11 of his 32 RBI over his last nine starts. Currently riding a five-game hitting streak (9-for-22), the PawSox outfielder is batting .393 (11-for-28) this month.

Hassan, in his first Triple-A season, hit .291 last season with Double-A Portland with 13 home runs and 64 RBI. (Kelly O’Connor)

PawSox Notebook:

We had our second look at Daniel Bard last night, our first from the bullpen. He allowed a run on one hit over a scheduled one inning of work while striking out two. The righty did not hit or walk a batter. Regarding velocity, the McCoy gun clocked him a 94 on a couple of pitches, and 95 once. He climbed up to 96 on one fastball that nearly hit the batter.

last night, our first from the bullpen. He allowed a run on one hit over a scheduled one inning of work while striking out two. The righty did not hit or walk a batter. Regarding velocity, the McCoy gun clocked him a 94 on a couple of pitches, and 95 once. He climbed up to 96 on one fastball that nearly hit the batter. Pedro Ciriaco’s ninth-inning double last night extended his hitting streak to nine games (10-for-37). The PawSox infielder already owns a team-best 12-game hitting streak that spanned from April 28 — May 14 (20-for-53, .377).

ninth-inning double last night extended his hitting streak to nine games (10-for-37). The PawSox infielder already owns a team-best 12-game hitting streak that spanned from April 28 — May 14 (20-for-53, .377). With last night’s 16-hit effort by PawSox batters, Pawtucket is batting a league-best .316 this month with 13 home runs.

There are a number of hitters leading the club’s offensive charge in June. Ryan Kalish is batting .500 (12-for-24) in his first six games, while Ryan Lavarnway is hitting .400 (12-for-30). Lars Anderson has eight RBI in nine games this month while batting .367 (11-for-30). Then there’s Hassan who, as mentioned above, is hitting .393 in June.

is batting .500 (12-for-24) in his first six games, while is hitting .400 (12-for-30). has eight RBI in nine games this month while batting .367 (11-for-30). Then there’s Hassan who, as mentioned above, is hitting .393 in June. After hitting just .218 (17-for-78) in 21 games in May, Mauro Gomez is crushing the ball this month. He has three-straight two-hit efforts and is batting .351 (13-for-37) over his first nine games this month. Gomez did not play every day last month because of his first-ever Major League call-up.

Following a season-high eight strikeouts in his last start (his most since 2010), Brandon Duckworth (6–1, 4.22) starts in the series finale for the PawSox tonight against Gwinnett. All three times this season Duck has lasted six or more innings, he’s turned in a quality start. The right-hander will be opposed by righty Kris Medlen (0–1, 4.91).

First pitch tonight from McCoy is set for 7:05, pre-game coverage begins at 6:50.

Talk with you then.

-AG

@aaronmgoldsmith

agoldsmith@pawsox.com