CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Kalish's Three Hits, Portice's Six Superb Innings Carry Sox Past Nats

Published on May 12, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Salem, VA (May 12, 2009)- The Red Sox used six strong innings from starter Eammon Portice as the foundation to their 7-1 victory over the Nationals on Tuesday afternoon at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA. Salem also received three hits-including his fifth homer of the year-from right-fielder Ryan Kalish as the Sox improved to 1-1 in games that started before noon. Following their four-game losing streak from Thursday to Saturday, the Sox have now won two in a row to bring their season record back to 17-15, within a half-game of the Kinston Indians, who take on Wilmington this evening.

Potomac starter Will Atwood retired Kalish on a slow grounder back to the mound in the first, but the Salem slugger connected on a 1-2 pitch in his second at-bat, blasting his fifth dinger of the season to break a scoreless draw in the top of the third. With the same score in the fifth inning, the Sox scored six times on six singles and an error to break it open and lead 7-0. Jason Place and Mike Jones each drove in two runs, while Jon Hee also singled to extend his hitting streak to eight games.

The Red Sox' Aaron Reza also returned to the lineup this afternoon after missing the previous 17 ballgames with a back injury. Reza went 1-3 before he was removed in the sixth inning. Reza has now recorded a base hit in nine straight games, a streak that dates back to mid-April.

Portice rebounded from his roughest outing of the season this past Thursday against Kinston with perhaps his strongest performance yet in 2009. Portice struck out seven Nationals-all in the first four innings-and surrendered just one run on three hits over six frames to pick up his second victory of the season. Portice lowered his ERA to 4.04.

Ryan Miller and Jose Alvarez combined to shut out Potomac over the final three innings to preserve Portice's win. The Nationals loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth against Alvarez, but the Venezuelan southpaw induced a Danny Espinosa ground ball to shortstop to end the contest.

Salem and Potomac will continue their three-game series on Wednesday evening at 7:05, with the Red Sox' right-hander Kyle Weiland opposing the Nationals' righty Jeff Mandel.

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