CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Nationals Walk Past Sox 2-1

Published on June 3, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Salem, VA (June 3, 2009) - The Nationals scored a pair of runs on back-to-back bases loaded walks in the seventh inning, nipping the Red Sox 2-1 in a game of missed opportunities for both clubs. A season-high eight walks, five of them issued in the seventh by righthander Jason Rice, led to the Nationals winning despite just five hits and an 0-8 mark with runners in scoring position. Salem, meanwhile, scored their only run in the first inning on a Jason Place two-out RBI single to left, and, despite numerous chances, were blanked the rest of the way. Both teams left 10 runners on base, but the Nationals earned the series sweep, handing the Red Sox their fifth straight loss and the eighth in the past nine games.

Aside from the Red Sox run in the first, both starters were able to work their way out of trouble. Salem's Kyle Weiland dealt five shutout innings, three that went 1-2-3, and two that forced him to pitch out of bases-loaded trauma. In the third inning, a 4-6-3 off the bat of Danny Espinosa helped Weiland escape danger. In the fifth, Weiland struck out both Espinosa and Boomer Whiting before him with the bags full to emerge unscathed. A frustrated Espinosa was ejected by home plate umpire Lawrence Reeves after swinging and missing at strike three in the fifth. Espinosa, still seething at the 3-1 pitch that he thought missed the zone, was tossed almost immediately after the K, while Nationals' manager Trent Jewett animatedly argued his point of view and was also sent to the clubhouse after the irate outburst.

Salem had a chance to break it open in the sixth as Nationals hurler Brad Meyers was tiring. Salem loaded the bases with two outs for Kris Negron, but Potomac reliever Clint Everts induced a line-out to center off the bat of Kris Negron that ended the frame. Negron finished 0-5 as his 11-game hit streak came to an end.

The Red Sox inability to capitalize on opportunities would be their downfall as Potomac utilized patience in the seventh against Rice. Rice entered the outing on a streak of 12 consecutive scoreless innings, and the righthander displayed his dominance in the sixth inning, retiring the side in order on six pitches. In the seventh, however, the Nationals scored twice on one hit and five walks, four of which came in succession with two outs to force in the tying and go-ahead runs. After Potomac jumped ahead 2-1, Josh Papelbon entered the game and secured a tapper back to the mound to end the inning.

Once again the Red Sox put the first two batters aboard in the seventh, but a strikeout and double-play ended the threat, and the nationals bullpen, Everts, Chris Rivera, and Cole Kimball, combined to set down the final eight batters of the game in order, ensuring the victory for the Nationals. Everts picked up the victory to improve to 3-0, while Rice suffered the setback, falling to 1-2. Kimball picked up his second save of the series and fourth of the season as the Nats took three in a row from the Sox by a grand total of four runs.

Salem now sets forth to Frederick for a four-game series beginning Thursday night at Harry Grove Stadium. Red Sox righthander Eammon Portice is expected to rejoin the team and start the series opener against the Keys ace, southpaw Brian Matusz. Game time is set for 7:00 in Frederick.

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Carolina League Stories from June 3, 2009


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