CarL1 Salem RidgeYaks

Five-Run Sixth Breaks It Open as Indians Win Fifth Straight

Published on August 8, 2009 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem RidgeYaks News Release


Kinston, NC - With just five singles and zero extra-base hits, Salem's offensive futility continued as Kinston easily garnered a 7-1 victory on Saturday night at Grainger Stadium. The Indians' pitching staff shined again with a quartet of arms that combined to strike out 11 and earn Kinston its fifth consecutive win. For the second straight evening, Kinston's bats erupted in the bottom of the sixth inning to provide separation and pace the Tribe the rest of the way. In three games this series, the Indians have outscored the Red Sox 18-2.

Salem starter Eammon Portice had trouble commanding his fastball early, but limited the Indians to one first-inning tally after the bases were loaded with nobody out. He walked three in the first but found his stride through the next four innings, striking out five and only allowing two runs on four hits through his five innings on the mound. Kinston's Doug Pickens drove in both runs against Portice, belting a sac fly in the first and cracking a two out RBI single in the third.

Trailing 2-0, Salem took advantage of their only leadoff hit of the ballgame in the fifth. Aaron Reza's infield single opened the frame off Kinston reliever Jonathan Holt. Negron smashed a ground ball past the lunging third baseman to send Reza to second and put the tying runners aboard. Following a pop-up and a strike out, Tim Federowicz came through with a grounder back up the middle to plate Reza and cut the deficit in half. Federowicz finished the game with two of Salem's five hits, the lone Sock to register a multi-hit ballgame. Following the RBI single, Mike Jones popped up to end the inning.

Little did Salem know at the time that they would be bereft of baserunners the rest of the way. Chen-Chang Lee and David Roberts each tossed two perfect innings, retiring 12 straight Red Sox over the final four frames.

Still a 2-1 ballgame heading to the bottom of the sixth, Kyle Fernandes relieved Portice and struggled mightily, yielding five runs on six singles, one walk, and one error by shortstop Kris Negron. Though Fernandes struck out the final two batters to strand a couple runners, the one-run gap had transformed to six and the Indians were on their way to beating Salem for the third straight night.

Filling in for the promoted Lonnie Chisenhall in the third spot in the batting order, Cord Phelps went 3-4 with an RBI. Tim Fedroff and Doug Pickens each finisished 2-3, helping to pace the Kinston offense that totaled 11 hits. Neither team recorded an extra base-hit, but Kinston capitalized on their opportunities, going 7-13 with runners in scoring position.

A unique series finale will occur on Sunday between Salem and Kinston. Not only will Salem play a day game for the first time since June 21, but the Red Sox will face off against a foe who was a teammate just over a week ago. Bryan Price, traded along with Justin Masterson and Nick Hagadone for Cleveland's Victor Martinez, will toe the rubber against Salem opposite Stephen Fife. First pitch is set for 2:00.

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Carolina League Stories from August 8, 2009


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