Uphill Climb in Lynchburg as Sox Fall 4-2
May 27, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release
Lynchburg, VA (May 27, 2009) - The slumping Red Sox dropped the middle-game of the three-game set in Lynchburg, falling 4-2 on Wednesday evening, their seventh loss in the last nine games. The Hillcats improved to a Carolina League-best 29-16, while the Sox fell to 22-24. Despite the sub-.500 record, Salem remains in first place in the Southern Division, a half game ahead of Winston-Salem, who fell 6-0 earlier today against Myrtle Beach.
The Red Sox were forced to go to the bullpen early due to Dave McKae's early injury-induced departure. Though still unclear why McKae needed to leave, the Salem starter was finished after an inning and a third. Jared Keel singled to drive in the game's first run off McKae, and though Kyle Fernandes finished the inning without any further damage, McKae was tagged with the loss as Salem could not muster any offense until late.
The Hillcats added a pair on a two-run homer from Keel in the fourth off Fernandes, making it 3-0. Red Sox reliever Andrew Dobies made his 2009 debut after Fernandes was done, and Lynchburg made it 4-0 with an unearned tally in the fifth, as Pedro Alvarez scored from second on a throwing error by third-baseman Will Vazquez. Dobies allowed just a hit and the unearned run in two innings of relief. Jason Rice pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings for Salem, extending his consecutive scoreless innings streak to ten frames.
Salem was silent offensively until Chih-Hsien Chiang singled with two outs in the fourth off Paul Mildren. Lynchburg's Australian-born starter allowed just one run on five hits in six innings, picking up the victory. Chiang picked up an RBI in the sixth to break up the shutout with a two-out single, and Salem added another in the eighth on Jon Hee's two-out double. Hee and Chiang each went 2-4 for Salem as the Sox out-hit the Cats 9-6 but were doubled up 4-2 in the column that counts. In the top of the ninth, Che-Hsuan Lin singled with two outs to bring the potential tying run to the plate, but Ty Weeden struck out off Michael Dubee to end it. Dubee earned his fourth save of the season for the Hillcats.
The Red Sox aim to salvage the series finale and the last game of the road trip on Thursday evening. Red Sox righty Bryan Price, recently promoted from Greenville, is scheduled to make his Advanced "A" debut for Salem against Lynchburg's Matt McSwain. First pitch will commence at 7:05.
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Carolina League Stories from May 27, 2009
- Kinston Sweep Short Series with Wednesday Wins - Potomac Nationals
- Hillcats Vanquish Red Sox - Lynchburg Hillcats
- K-Tribe Take Both Games in a Doubleheader - Kinston Indians
- Uphill Climb in Lynchburg as Sox Fall 4-2 - Salem Red Sox
- Winston-Salem Dash to Open New Ballpark in 2010 - Winston-Salem Dash
- Bats Quiet as Rocks Lose - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Beato Solid Again in 4-2 Win - Frederick Keys
- Pelicans Clinch First Series Win - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Sullivan Stellar as Pelicans Blank Dash - Winston-Salem Dash
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