CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Salem Remains in First Place Despite 22-23 Record

Published on May 26, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Lynchburg, VA (May 26, 2009) - A rainy afternoon progressed into a dreary evening for the Red Sox, as the offense remained dormant despite dry skies in Lynchburg. The Hillcats, thanks to a solo homer from Miles Durham and a two-run single from Pedro Alvarez, triumphed 3-0 behind their pitching staff that shut down the Red Sox. Chi-Hung Cheng improved to 4-2 with five scoreless innings, Dustin Mollen tossed three shutout frames in relief, and RJ Rodriguez picked up his ninth save with a perfect ninth inning.

Salem threatened offensively during the first few innings, but never was able to capitalize on the opportunities. The Sox stranded five runners on base over the first three frames; they would have only three batters reach base total over the final six innings. Jon Hee went 2-4 with a single and a double, Jason Place picked up a double and a walk in his 1-3 effort, and no other Salem player was on base more than once.

Cheng kept the Red Sox off balance, retiring seven of the final eight batters he faced after being given a lead by his teammates. Durham pounded his fifth dinger of the season, a leadoff bomb to begin the last of the second against Salem's Seth Garrison. An inning later, a walk and a bunt single set the stage for the crooked number when Jordy Mercer's sacrifice moved a pair into scoring position. Alvarez obliged with his only hit of the night, driving in his 36th and 37th runs of the season, making it 3-0 Lynchburg.

Garrison absorbed the loss, falling to 2-5, after surrendering three runs on five hits over five innings. In relief, Ryne Miller (two) and Jose Alvarez (one) combined for three scoreless innings.

With the defeat, the Red Sox are now just 4-10 in series openers on the season, while the Hillcats improve to 13-1 in openers. Salem aims for a different result in game two, set to take place on Wednesday evening at City Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05, with Lynchburg's Paul Mildren set to tangle with Salem's Dave McKae.

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Carolina League Stories from May 26, 2009


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