Lavarnway Crushes Fourth Homer of Year in Salem Victory
April 22, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release
Salem, VA (April 22, 2010) - Anthony Rizzo drilled a two-out, bases loaded, three-run double in the bottom of the seventh that transformed a 2-2 tie into a Red Sox lead, and Salem's pitching staff did the rest by shutting down Lynchburg over the final six innings to quell the Hillcat offense in Thursday's night's 5-2 triumph. Ryan Lavarnway belted another homer for the Sox, a towering two-run shot in the first, and the pitching staff subdued the opponent yet again to perpetuate the winning momentum. After a 5-2 road trip to begin the year, the Sox swiped six of seven at Lewis-Gale Field to improve to 11-3 on the season.
Will Latimer earned his first Carolina League victory with three scoreless innings of relief, setting up Salem newcomer Lance McClain to pick up his first Advanced-A save. Starter Caleb Clay also pitched well, throwing five innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) on four hits.
Through the first 13 games, Salem's offense had scored more runs in the first than any other inning, a trend that continued on Thursday. Peter Hissey, who went 2-3 with two doubles in the game, led off the last of the first with a double to left field. Though Tim Federowicz and Anthony Rizzo both struck out, Ryan Lavarnway assured that Salem would avoid a squander by jacking his fourth home run of the season beyond the left field fence. The towering round-tripper gave Lavarnway his league-leading 17th and 18th RBIs of the season.
Lynchburg scored single runs in both the second and third innings to tie, however, and both squads went scoreless in the middle innings. Hillcat starter Travis Webb received a no decision, throwing six frames and allowing five hits and two runs.
Jeremy Horst entered in the seventh and immediately encountered trouble. Mitch Dening singled on an 0-2 pitch to start the rally, and Alex Hassan walked a batter later. Following a sacrifice bunt from Luis Segovia, the Sox had two in scoring position with one out. Although Hissey struck out, the bases became packed when the Hillcats chose to intentionally walk Federowicz after falling behind in the count 3-1. Rizzo then stepped in and crushed the game-changing line drive to left-center field, clearing the bases and sending the Red Sox to victory.
Salem now journeys to Frederick for a three-game weekend series at Harry Grove Stadium. The action begins on Friday night when Alex Wilson opposes Kenny Moreland, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM.
The Red Sox return to Lewis-Gale Field on Monday to begin a six-game homestand that will bring Wilmington and Kinston to the Roanoke Valley.
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Carolina League Stories from April 22, 2010
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- Pelicans Falter Late as Dash Pull Off Sweep - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Lavarnway Crushes Fourth Homer of Year in Salem Victory - Salem Red Sox
- K-Tribe Splits Double Header with Wilmington - Kinston Indians
- P-Nats Implode Late, Drop Keys Series - Potomac Nationals
- Magical Late-Inning Run Sparks Comeback - Frederick Keys
- Winston Pounds Myrtle Beach for Ninth Straight Win - Winston-Salem Dash
- Sox Take Series From Hillcats With Win In Finale - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Friday's Dash Game Sold Out - Winston-Salem Dash
- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Keys Will Host First Annual Going Green Night - Frederick Keys
- K-Tribe Homestand Starts Tomorrow - Kinston Indians
- Potomac Announces Player Moves - Potomac Nationals
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