Huntzinger Picks Up First Carolina League Victory
May 1, 2010 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Salem Red Sox News Release
Salem, VA - Drew Hedman went 3-4 with two RBI, Ryan Dent clocked a mammoth home run, and Brock Huntzinger set the tone with five strong innings to lead Salem past Kinston on Saturday night in front of 4,559 at Lewis-Gale Field. The Sox prevailed 5-1 to even the three-game set at one game apiece, with the rubber match scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 4:05.
After scoring just two runs on Friday night against the K-Tribe, the Sox pummeled their former teammate in the very first inning on Saturday, chasing Kinston starter Nick Hagadone from the game before he could even record three outs. Hagadone, a former draft pick of Boston who moved to the Cleveland organization in the Victor Martinez trade, entered the contest with a 0.56 ERA in 16 innings, yet faced only eight hitters over two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks before being given the hook.
Ryan Lavarnway picked up his league-leading 24th RBI with a single in the first that plated Peter Hissey. Three batters later, Drew Hedman pounded the first of three hits on the night for him and drove in a pair to make it 3-0. Hagadone was pulled with the bases loaded and two out, and reliever TJ McFarland retired Jon Hee to minimize the damage to three runs.
McFarland went on to throw six and a third respectable innings out of the bullpen, but the Indians could not muster much against Huntzinger, who picked up his first Carolina League win, allowing just one hit and one run in five superb innings. The righthander from Pendleton, Indiana quieted a Kinston offense that had pounded 19 hits the night before, yielding just a lone single to Karexon Sanchez and a sacrifice fly to Jason Kipnis in the third inning. Huntzinger walked five in five innings, yet he and reliever Michael Lee held Kinston to zero hits with runners in scoring position to help preserve the victory. Lee tossed the final four frames to pick up his first Advanced-A save, striking out four and only allowing one hit.
Salem added to its 3-1 lead with single runs in each the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, Hissey created the offense singlehandedly, doubling with one out before he stole third and scored on the errant throw by catcher Doug Pickens that sailed down the left field line. In the fifth, the Sox once again received a mighty individual effort as Dent blasted his second homer of the season, a solo shot that soared far beyond the left field wall. Dent finished 2-3 with a walk and an RBI and also made two sterling defensive plays at shortstop to steal hits from the Indians.
Salem (15-7) now looks to improve to 6-1 in series finales and move to nine games over .500 for the first time this year as they wrap up their week-long homestand on Sunday afternoon at 4:05. Fabian Williamson will make the start for Salem opposite Alex White for Kinston.
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