Salem Erupts Late to Smash Wilmington 15-5
April 27, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release
Salem, VA (April 27, 2010) - Just when you thought that perhaps Salem's offense was scuffling, the Red Sox bats switched to another gear. After trailing throughout most of the first 15 innings of their series with Wilmington, the Sox awakened for four runs in the seventh and exploded for eight more in the eighth, transforming a 5-3 deficit at the seventh inning stretch into a satisfying 15-5 demolition on Tuesday evening at Lewis-Gale Field. Salem took advantage of three Blue Rock errors in their four-run seventh before absolutely pounding reliever Riquy Pena in the eighth for eight runs on nine hits. Salem recorded a season-high 17 base-knocks in the ballgame and snapped its two-game losing skid, improving to 13-6 on the year.
Oscar Tejeda belted the game's only homer, his fifth of the season, when he crushed a laser solo shot in the second inning. Tejeda finished the night with three more hits to bring his average to .403. Third-baseman Jon Hee also went 3-5 from the ninth position in the order, while Mitch Dening and David Mailman, batting in the seventh and eighth spots, combined to drive in seven runs on the night.
Michael Lee earned the victory for Salem with two and a third solid innings of relief, allowing just two hits and one run. Starter Caleb Clay took a no-decision after becoming the first Red Sox starter of the season to record an out in the sixth inning. Clay allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits in five and two-thirds innings before he was lifted. After Salem had burst to their 10-run lead, Kyle Fernandes closed it out with a 1-2-3 ninth.
On the night, the Red Sox overcame deficits of 2-0 after two, 3-2 after four, and 5-3 after six and a half. Every time, Salem had the offensive answer. Even though the Red Sox stranded 13 runners on base, the Sox finished the game with 11 hits in 21 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Five different Sox drove in multiple runs, with Mailman and Dening leading the way with four and three, respectively, and Tejeda, Peter Hissey, and Tim Federowicz each driving in a pair. Salem left the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh after scoring four times to take a 7-5 lead. An inning later, the advantage became insurmountable when 13 hitters came to the plate. Salem sent 23 men to the plate combined in the seventh and eighth innings after having 29 bat in the previous six frames.
Salem and Wilmington will make a quick turnaround as they compete in the series rubber match on Wednesday morning. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 AM at Lewis-Gale Field, with Red Sox righthander Alex Wilson set to tangle with Blue Rocks righthander Alex Caldera.
Programming note: The radio broadcast of the Red Sox-Blue Rocks series finale can be heard live on www.salemsox.com at 11 AM and will be aired on tape delay at 7:05 on NewsTalk 960 WFIR in the Roanoke Valley.
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Carolina League Stories from April 27, 2010
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- Lynchburg Hillcats Game Notes - Lynchburg Hillcats
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- K-Tribe Notes For Tuesday Night - Alex White To Start At 7pm - Kinston Indians
- Potomac Makes Roster Moves - Potomac Nationals
- Rocks' Offensive Continues In 7-6 Win - Wilmington Blue Rocks
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