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04/14/2008 11:29 PM ET
Kottaras powers Red Sox to split
Former Greek Olympian homers twice, drives in five in 8-2 win over Bats
By Alan Friedman
George Kottaras' big night helped the Red Sox to their first win in four games. (Mike Janes/MLB.com)

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George Kottaras may not have reached the Major Leagues yet, but he has already had a career of Olympic proportions.

The former Olympian hit a pair of homers and drove in a season-high five runs as the Pawtucket Red Sox beat the Louisville Bats, 8-2, at Louisville Slugger Field to earn a split of Monday's doubleheader.

Kottaras, who helped the Greek national team to its lone win over Italy at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, went 1-for-3 with a run scored during a 3-2 loss to the Bats in Monday's opener before finding his stroke in the nightcap.

The 24-year-old designated hitter delivered an RBI groundout in the second inning before belting two-run shots, his second and third of the season, in the fourth and sixth.

Kottaras, who batted .241 with nine homers and 39 RBIs in 87 games for Pawtucket (7-5) last season, already has 10 RBIs in 10 games this year.

Red Sox starter Charlie Zink (1-1) allowed just one hit and a walk with four strikeouts over five scoreless innings en route to his first win of the season.

Louisville's Tom Shearn (2-1), who won his first two starts without allowing an earned run, surrendered six runs on nine hits and a walk with three strikeouts.

Jay Bruce and Alvin Colina drove in the runs for the Bats (8-4), who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Alan Friedman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.