The PawSox stood on the cusp of their first playoff series victory since 2003, just one out away from completing a three-game sweep over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. But with Pawtucket in possession of a 3-2 lead with one on and two out in the bottom of the ninth, reliever Pedro Beato, acquired from the Mets in the deal that sent Kelly Shoppach to New York, fell behind, 2-0, and then grooved a pitch to outfielder Melky Mesa. Mesa launched the pitch for a two-run walkoff blast, and so, the PawSox were denied their first-ever three-game postseason sweep. The Triple-A squad will have two more shots over the next two days in Rochester, N.Y. (home of the displaced Yankees Triple-A affiliate this year), to advance to the Governor’s Cup finals for the first time in nine years.

Here’s video of Mesa’s walkoff — accompanied by an inexplicable soundtrack:

TRIPLE-A PAWTUCKET: 4-3 LOSS AT SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE (YANKEES)

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– Outfielder Bryce Brentz blasted his second homer and third extra-base hit of the three-game series, unloading on a pedestrian fastball from left-hander Michael O’Connor and slamming it off the back of the bullpen wall in left. The considerable blast underscored the notion that Brentz has perhaps as much game power as anyone in the Red Sox minor league system. He’s now up to 19 homers in 130 total games this year.

“He has some holes with the breaking ball away but he’s strong,” said one NL scout. “He’s kind of a bad-ball hitter, but he’s good. I think he plays in Boston.”

– Right-hander Billy Buckner had a spectacular start, delivering 6 1/3 scoreless innings in which he allowed just two baserunners — both to start the second innings, when he permitted a single and walk — before retiring the final 16 batters he faced. The outing continued a tremendous run by Buckner, who has a 1.45 ERA in his last nine starts dating to July 23. The seven punchouts matched the 29-year-old’s season-high since his promotion to Triple-A.

– Juan Carlos Linares continued to perform well since his return from a two-week stint on the sidelines due to a thumb injury, going 1-for-3 with a triple and walk.